Hierarchy and Egalitarianism by Tamara Gunasekera

Author:Tamara Gunasekera [Gunasekera, Tamara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Social Science, Ethnic Studies, American, African American & Black Studies, Anthropology, General, Sociology, Urban, Jewish Studies
ISBN: 9781000321036
Google: Jcb4DwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2020-08-20T03:51:39+00:00

the Batgam there has only been one other low-caste household –a single Vahumpura household – which has gained entry into the landed elite.

It is sometimes suggested that where financial success is achieved by groups of low status, this is likely to be the result of their greater willingness to invest their energies in 'non-traditional' lines of enterprise – trade and commerce. High-status groups, under this view, are held to be at a competitive disadvantage because of their disdain for this kind of activity.

Since the baseline period many Sinhalese villagers in this region have started up their own trading and business enterprises with the result that the ethnic monopoly over trade and marketing that used to prevail has gradually disappeared. Formerly only Muslims engaged in itinerant trade and the two shops in Dambawala were owned and operated by Muslims. Today Muslims are still influential in the larger bazaars, as well as in the buying of spices in outlying villages;29 but since the 1930s successful competition in the retail business from Sinhalese entrepreneurs as well as government co-operative stores, has led to an out-migration of Muslims from small, predominantly Sinhalese villages. Of the commercial establishments in Dambawala, Muslims now own only seven and of this number operate only three. The remaining four are rented to Sinhalese entrepreneurs.

The Sinhalese entrepreneurs in the Dambawala bazaar have come from many villages in this area – Rangama, Devideniya, Moragammana, Kathugoda, Rukthotuwa and Nugapitiya. Many have established themselves in the retail business, whilst a few have successfully entered the wholesale trade. Others have set up tea kiosks. In the Rangama/Devideniya community itself, a handful of individuals have even set up small industrial enterprises.

Table 17 Established commercial enterprises and caste of entrepreneurs Dambawala Rangama Devideniya

No. Caste No. Caste No. Caste

Timber Depot 1 Goigama

Wholesale Traders (middlemen) 3 2 Goigama

1 Muslim

Groceries and/or vegetables 7 4 Goigama

3 Batgam 1 Hēna

General Store (medicines, cloth) 1 Batgam

Tea Kiosks 4 2 Muslim 2 Batgam

1 Goigama

1 Batgam

Groceries/vegetables/tea kiosk/small scale middleman 2 Goigama 1 Batgam

Vahumpura

Betal sellers 2 Goigama

Batgam

Rubber Rolling 1 Batgam

Rice Hulling 2 Goigama

Vahumpura

Coir Industry 1 Goigama

Bakery 1 Goigama

TOTALS: 18 7 4

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