Patterns of Life – IndiaSabrina Carro, Alyse Jung, and Eric Tevelson

Caste System

(Ahmad, et. al.)

INDIA’S CASTE SYSTEM

Society •Based on Castes•Class System

Castes •Based on Occupation•Wealth Plays a Role

Subcastes

•Smaller group in Caste•Both Caste and Subcaste

determined at birth

(Ahmad, et. al.)

CASTE BREAKDOWNAryan had four varna (classes)Later, a fifth group called “untouchables” with thousands of subcastesLowest levels of societyCaste system was imbedded in law, custom, and religion

Provided stability and orderDifferent castes depended on one another for services and their contributions to society

(Ahmad, et. al.)

HIGHER CASTESBeing up high in caste system = purer and closer to Moksha

Moksha is the freeing of the soul from the body so the soul can unite with brahman the single supreme forceHad stricter rules

Someone could become impure if he or she interacts with lower class

(Ahmad, et. al.)

LOWER CASTESRough livesNo choice but to accept the view of their unworthiness

(Ahmad, et. al.)

RULES

Were enforced by canals of each caste

Had council that enforced the rules

Were important so people would remain

spiritually pure

(Ahmad, et. al.)

RULES (CONT.)Determined:

Which gods the caste worshippedWhere the caste livedWhat clothes were wornPeople’s mannersEmploymentEating habits (Brahman can only eat food prepared by other Brahman)Marriage (must marry within caste)

(“Castes”)

HINDU CASTES

All Hindus are divided among four varna and

a fifth group, known as the untouchables.

The jati are kinship groups with hereditary

roles and professions within society

(“Castes”)

HINDU CASTES BACKGROUND

Hindu caste system (The Varna)Developed in the period 1500-1000 B.C.E.Result of the Aryan conquest of India

Thought that they divided themselves into the three highest Varnas

the division of:Priests (Roughly equivalent to Brahmans)Warrior Kings (Kshatriya)Commoners (Vaishya)

(“Castes”)

POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS

Mythological explanations for caste system.One explanation describes a family that was supposedly descended from Brahma, the mythical forefather of Hinduism

Within that family, the father served as teacher and priest (Brahman)Son served as warrior and protector (Kshatriya)Sister took care of the household duties (Vaishya).

Another explanation is similar to Noah's arc, after the flood the human race were divided into 4 groupsThe caste system in India is linked to the beliefs of Hindu religion

Village Life

(Ahmad, et. al.)

VILLAGESBasic unit of societyMostly self sufficientPeople would often meet and mingle during regional markets and religious festivalsVaries from handful of people to hundreds of familiesVariety of castes and occupations (priests, landowners, farmers, herders, carpenters, metalworkers, and low castes such as leather workers and sweepers)Men organized villagers to work on local projects (i.e. roads, irrigation ditches, temples).

(Ahmad, et. al.)

HEAD OF THE VILLAGE

Respected landlord governed villageHelped by council of eldersUsually inherited position from fatherOwned much of the land in the village

Landless workers farmed plots belonging to landlord

Had to give him part of the harvest

(Ahmad, et. al.)

VILLAGE FARMINGWheat, barley, rice, millet, peas, lentils, beans, and cotton were grown

Had cattle for plowing, transporting goods, and milk

Milk for cheese, yogurt, and a butter called gheeCattle were sacred for economic importance

(Ahmad, et. al.)

FAMILY LIFEJoint family = many generations in one home

(Ahmad, et. al.)

MEN IN THE FAMILYPatriarchal = male dominance

Oldest maleWisest and most knowledgeableHas complete controlConsults with others for arranged marriages

(Ahmad, et. al.)

STRONG FAMILY TIESFamily Interests > Individual Interests

Marriages were arranged by parents at an early ageWeddings were big ceremonies

Bride’s family paid dowry (gift of money paid to groom)

Higher the family’s caste, the more costly the marriage

(“Village”)

THE VILLAGE COMMUNITY: SETTLEMENT AND STRUCTURE

India has about 500,000 villagesMost are small

80% have less than 1,000 peopleVariety of castes but homes usually set apart

Villages are complex, not simpleCharacterized by economics, caste, kinship, occupation, and religion

Some villages have non-traditional occupations

(i.e. shopkeepers, teachers, truckers, clerks)

Each village is somehow connected to other villages

(“Village”)

THE VILLAGE COMMUNITY: VILLAGE UNITY AND DIVISIVENESS

Villagers identify themselves as belonging to certain villageFamily rooted in a village does not easily move to another

Villagers share common facilitiesSchools, temples, etc.

Each village recognizes a deity (village protector/protectoress)

Whom is worshipped

Hindu festivals bring villagers together

Living so closely causes many disputes, sometimes violence

Women’s Rights

(Ahmad, et. al.)

WOMEN'S LIVESFew rights

MarriageObedient towards husbandBear sons

Believed to have shakti (creative energy)Women thought to lack knowledge to control their powerMen lack it, so they must marry in order to control wife’s power

(Ahmad, et. al.)

WOMEN’S LIVES (CONT.)

The higher-caste women lived in purdah

Purdah is complete seclusion

Wore veilsRarely left homeKept separate from all men except for their husbands and close relatives

(Ahmad, et. al.)

WOMEN’S LIVES (CONT.)

Widows were forbidden to remarryExpected to spend life in prayer and give up all comfortsConsidered unlucky, so ignored by other family membersSome threw selves into fire at husband’s funeral

Became sati (virtuous women)In sacrificing her life, a widow wiped away sins of husband and self

MISTREATMENT OF WOMEN

Currently there are many mistreatments of women that include:

MalnutritionPoor HealthLack of educationOverworkNo Job SkillsMistreatmentPowerlessness

(Coonrod)

MISTREATMENT OF WOMEN

Many of these problems occurred due to a patriarchal societyWomen are discriminated against at any turnCertain statistics are rising alarmingly in recent years.

“Every 26 minutes a woman is molested”“Every 34 minutes a rape takes place”“Every 42 minutes a sexual harassment incident occurs”“Every 43 minutes a woman is kidnapped”“Every 93 minutes a woman is burnt to death over dowry.”

(Coonrod)

MISTREATMENT OF WOMEN

Women are technically guaranteed equality, but there is little legal power behind themWomen have no choice who they marry

Often married off as children

Inheritance laws are also up-ended by legal loopholesVery little can be done to stop the circumventing of the system set by the constitution

(Coonrod)

Thank you for your attention!

Sabrina, Alyse and Eric