article
Kerala Christians and the caste system
Man • 11 (1) • Published In 1976 • Pages: 53-70
By: Fuller, C. J..
Abstract
Kerala communities have been long divided primarily along caste and religious lines. This article discusses the ways long-standing Hindu caste principles have functioned within two non-Hindu religions, Islam and Christianity, with a focus on caste principles in Syrian, Latin, and New Christian sects. It is argued that these sects relate to each other as caste groups. Unlike traditional Hindu castes considered acquired by birth, Christian castes have been regarded as achieved, which allows for individual social mobility. Also, because they have no concept of bodily pollution, Christian castes have been less concerned with rules governing day-to-day interactions among community members.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2017
- Region
- Asia
- Sub Region
- South Asia
- Document Type
- article
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Anthropologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Teferi Abate Adem
- Field Date
- 1971-1972
- Coverage Date
- 1560-1972
- Coverage Place
- Central Travancore region, Kerala, India
- Notes
- C. J. Fuller
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 69-70)
- LCCN
- sf 80000548
- LCSH
- Kerala (India)