Kamma caste is last name of many people in Indian subcontinent. Kamma caste definition is A large cultivating caste of the Madras Presidency of which a few representatives were returned from the Chanda District in 1911. They are derived from the same Dravidian stock as the other great cultivating castes of Madras and originally soldiers by profession have now settled down to agriculture. No description of the caste need be given here but the following interesting particulars may be recorded. The word Kamma means an ear ornament and according to tradition a valuable jewel of this kind belonging to a Raja of Warangal fell into the hands of his enemies. One section of the great Kapu caste boldly attacking the foe and recovering the jewel were hence called Kamma while another section which ran away received the derogatory title of Velama (veli away). Another story says that the Kammas and Velamas were originally one caste and had adopted the Muhammadan system of gosha or purda. But finding that they were thus handicapped in competition with the other cultivating castes it was proposed that the new custom should be abandoned. Those who agreed to this signed a bond which was written on a palm-leaf (kamma) and hence received their new name. In the Central Provinces the Kammas are divided into three subcastes the Illuvellani or those who do not go out of the house the Tadakchatu or those who live within tadaks or mat screens and the Polumtir or those who go into the fields. These names are derived from the degrees in which the different subdivisions seclude their women the Illuvellani observing strict purda and the Polumtir none whatever while the Tadakchatu follow a middle course. On this account some social difference exists between the three subcastes and when the Illuvellani dine with either of the other two they will not eat from the plates of their hosts but take their food separately on a leaf. And the Tadakchatu practise a similar distinction with the Polumtir but the two latter divisions do not decline to eat from plates or vessels belonging to an Illuvellani. The Kammas forbid a man to marry in the gotra or family group to which he belongs but a wife from the same gotra as his mothers is considered a most desirable match and if his maternal uncle has a daughter he should always take her in marriage. A man is even permitted to marry his own sisters daughter but he may not wed his mothers sisters daughter who is regarded as his own sister. Among the Kammas of the Tamil country Mr. (Sir H.) Stuart45 states that a bride is often much older than her husband and a case is cited in which a wife of twenty-two years of age used to carry her boy-husband on her hip as a mother carries her child. One other curious custom recorded of the caste may be noticed. A woman dying within the lifetime of her husband is worshipped by her daughters granddaughters or daughters-in-law and in their absence by her husbands second wife if he has one. The ceremony is performed on some festival such as Dasahra or Til-Sankrant when a Brahman lady who must not be a widow is invited and considered to represent the deceased ancestor. She is anointed and washed with turmeric and saffron and decorated with sandal-paste and flowers; a new cloth and breast-cloth are then presented to her which she puts on; sweets fruit and betel-leaf are offered to her and the women of the family bow down before her and receive her benediction believing that it comes from their dead relative.. Kamma caste is one of the many castes subcastes of India.
India has thousands of castes and subcastes, they are in existence and practice since the Vedic times. They were created to solve the problem of division of labor. Kamma caste name could indicate the type of work people belonging to the Kamma caste do or did in earlier times. Many last names in India indicate the place the person originally belongs to. All castes sub castes are primarily divided into 4 categories:
1.Brahmins – The learned or priestly class
2.Khastriyas – The warrior class or those with governing functions
3.Vaishyas – The trader, agriculturalists or cattle rearers class
4.Shudra – The class that serves other three categories
Kamma caste belongs to one of the above 4 categories. Indian caste system is the best system to solve the problem of division of labor. In earlier times there was no rigidity in caste system. Indian caste system is still the best solution for the problem of division of labor, the only change that is needed as per changed times is that rather than having a vertical hierarchical system with Brahmins on top and Shudras at bottom, it would be good to have a horizontal socialist system with Brahmins, Khastriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras all at same level.
The caste system of India is in ruins at present. It is also cause of bloody quarrels in certain parts of the rural India. People of backward castes have reservations in government jobs, this facility is widely misused in India. Many of the backward caste people have become rich and still use the facility for their benefit. Many in India believe reservation in jobs should be given on the basis of poverty rather than caste because there are many poors in upper castes as well.
Many foreginers and followers of Abrahmic religions criticize the Indian caste system because of bad material condition of lower castes but if they observe in an unbiased way they would find that there are many in upper castes with bad material conditions. The problem lies in power not in castes, power can corrupt anyone be it from upper caste or lower caste.
Secondly I have seen Abrahmic religions especially Muslims and Christians claiming that they have no caste system – It is an utter lie. All cultures, all countries, all religions have caste system in one form or the other. Christians have different churches depending on the region or language or skin color of people. Muslims have a priestly class that tries to control everything. Arab Muslims before the oil boom were so much divided among tribes that if you drank water from a well of a different tribe you could be shot dead. Tribal divisions still exists among Muslims. You can also see the caste system in a different form in your corporate companies. I had seen different food and drinking facilities for people at different levels.
Kamma caste is also known as Kamma Gotra.
Caste situation is quiet different in urban India, people in urban areas especially youngsters don’t bother about castes. Inter caste, inter religious, inter lingual marriages are quiet common in urban India. Inter caste, inter religious and inter lingual marriages in rural areas attract severe criticism and many times people are expelled from community for not marrying as per religious and caste rules.
If you like this article on Indian caste system and Kamma caste, please hit the like button.