Sri Lankan Chetties
Total population | |
---|---|
6,075 (2012 census) | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Province | |
Western | 5,427 |
Northern | 348 |
Central | 193 |
Languages | |
Sinhala
English Tamil | |
Religion | |
Christianity (mostly Roman Catholic and Anglican), Hinduism
Types Sinhala Chetties (Sri Lankan) English Chetties Tamil Chetties (Indian) |
Sri Lankan Chetties (Sinhala: ශ්රී ලංකා චෙට්ටි, romanized: Śrī laṁkā Ceṭṭi, Tamil: இலங்கை செட்டி, romanized: Ilaṅkai Ceṭṭi) also known as Colombo Chetties, are an ethnicity in the island of Sri Lanka.[1] Before 2001, they were known as the Sri Lankan Tamil ( ශ්රී ලංකා දෙමළ) caste, but then after 2001, they were classified as a separate ethnic group in the 2001 census.[2][3] They are now collectively referred to as the Colombo Chetties. They were said to have migrated from India under Portuguese rule and were given special rights and representation during colonial rule.[4]
In modern times, the Chetties have been assimilated into Sinhala society. Most Chetties grow in Sinhala backgrounds. Hetti is another term used in this context, referring to the present generation of Chetties who do not have any relation to India but are solely from Sri Lanka.
Etymology
The word is thought to have been derived from the Tamil word Etti, an honorific title bestowed on the leading and noble people.[5]
History
Representatives of the Colombo Chetty Association stressed out their distinctiveness, appealing for forming a separate ethnic group. The Chetties were notably also from 1814 to 1817 listed as a separate ethnic group.[4]
Historically an elite and generally wealthy ethnicity, they no longer strictly marry amongst themselves. In addition, migration to
Notable people
- Major General Anton Muttukumaru, the first native Ceylonese to serve as the Commander of the Ceylon Army
- Tyron D. S. SilvapullePWV, RWP. RWP
- Simon Casie Chetty
- Jeyaraj Fernandopulle
See also
- Bharatakula
- Nagarathar
- Malacca Chitty
References
- Sources
- Casiechitty S, The Castes, Customs, Manners and Literature of the Tamils. Colombo: Ceylon Printers, 1934.
- Pulle Tissera Shirley - History of The Colombo Chetties - 2000
- Thurston E, Castes and Tribes of Southern India
- Notes
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing 2011". www.statistics.gov.lk. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
- ISBN 9789814260831.
- ISBN 978-0822349822.
- ^ ISBN 9780190225797.
- S2CID 162764761.
- ^ Sivaratnam, C. (1964). An outline of the cultural history and principles of Hinduism. Stangard Printers. p. 276.
- ISBN 9780520043206.
- ISBN 9789555800969.
- ISBN 9789555800969.
- ISBN 9781442255852.
- ^ "Population by ethnic group, census years" (PDF). Department of Census & Statistics, Sri Lanka. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 November 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2012.