Newar Caste
Encyclopedia
The Newar caste system is the system by which Newar
s, the indigenous people of Nepal's Kathmandu Valley, are divided into groups on the basis of their occupations.
The Buddhist priestly class has been 'castified,' resulting in a 'double-headed' caste-system: the Hindu brahmins and the Buddhist bajracharyas at the top, each claiming equal stature in the hierarchy. Beneath them is the Newar nobility and vaishyas. The shudra grouping is the most differentiated, with specialized castes for métiers needed in the daily lives of the Newars or for their and cultural or ritual needs.
Another prominent feature of the system is the existence of caste blocks in the hierarchy. While the hierarchy of the blocks may not be disputed, the individual positions of the castes within each block is also disputed by the castes themselves. Since separate caste systems were in practice in the different Newar city-states (and their provinces), some researchers look at the Newars as having several caste systems, rather than one unified system.
The Newar caste system may be called kshetriya-centric because the entire system exists around the personage of the king. The brahmin
s are higher in caste status than the king not because they are more powerful, but because of their superior ritual status. The brahmins are like all other specialized service providers, except that they are considered higher to others in ritual purity.
Unlike other contemporary South Asian class systems, the Newar system still features the king prominently in his ritual obligations in the various festivals and functions throughout the annual religious calendar. He still mediates between the gods and his subjects; in this respect, as the representative of divinity, he is considered divinity itself.
and monogamous
. The parents traditionally arrange marriages for their sons and daughters, although with the modernization of Nepali society, an increasing number of young people choose their own partners.
Partners must belong to different descent-group lineages within the same caste, living outside of the large urban areas. Among the Shresthas, since they are subdivided into three grades, one's marriage partner must be from the same grade as well.
Buddhist Newars living in a baha—a residential quadrangle around a central court with Buddhist shrines and temples—consider themselves to be of common descent, making intermarriage a taboo.
In some areas the rule of 'seven generations' of descent is also observed; members who fall within the common descent group of seven generations are restricted from intermarriage.
Newar
The Newa , Newār or Newāl) are the indigenous people and the creators of the historical civilization of Nepal's Kathmandu Valley. The valley and surrounding territory have been known from ancient times as Nepal Mandala, its limits ever changing through history.Newas have lived in the Kathmandu...
s, the indigenous people of Nepal's Kathmandu Valley, are divided into groups on the basis of their occupations.
Distinguishing features
The Newar system varies from the typical South Asian religious model in various aspects.The Buddhist priestly class has been 'castified,' resulting in a 'double-headed' caste-system: the Hindu brahmins and the Buddhist bajracharyas at the top, each claiming equal stature in the hierarchy. Beneath them is the Newar nobility and vaishyas. The shudra grouping is the most differentiated, with specialized castes for métiers needed in the daily lives of the Newars or for their and cultural or ritual needs.
Another prominent feature of the system is the existence of caste blocks in the hierarchy. While the hierarchy of the blocks may not be disputed, the individual positions of the castes within each block is also disputed by the castes themselves. Since separate caste systems were in practice in the different Newar city-states (and their provinces), some researchers look at the Newars as having several caste systems, rather than one unified system.
The Newar caste system may be called kshetriya-centric because the entire system exists around the personage of the king. The brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
s are higher in caste status than the king not because they are more powerful, but because of their superior ritual status. The brahmins are like all other specialized service providers, except that they are considered higher to others in ritual purity.
Unlike other contemporary South Asian class systems, the Newar system still features the king prominently in his ritual obligations in the various festivals and functions throughout the annual religious calendar. He still mediates between the gods and his subjects; in this respect, as the representative of divinity, he is considered divinity itself.
Marriage customs
Marriage is, as a rule, patrilocalPatrilocal residence
In social anthropology, patrilocal residence or patrilocality is a term referring to the social system in which a married couple resides with or near the husband's parents. The concept of location may extend to a larger area such as a village, town, or clan area...
and monogamous
Monogamy
Monogamy /Gr. μονός+γάμος - one+marriage/ a form of marriage in which an individual has only one spouse at any one time. In current usage monogamy often refers to having one sexual partner irrespective of marriage or reproduction...
. The parents traditionally arrange marriages for their sons and daughters, although with the modernization of Nepali society, an increasing number of young people choose their own partners.
Partners must belong to different descent-group lineages within the same caste, living outside of the large urban areas. Among the Shresthas, since they are subdivided into three grades, one's marriage partner must be from the same grade as well.
Buddhist Newars living in a baha—a residential quadrangle around a central court with Buddhist shrines and temples—consider themselves to be of common descent, making intermarriage a taboo.
In some areas the rule of 'seven generations' of descent is also observed; members who fall within the common descent group of seven generations are restricted from intermarriage.