DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.31218#0056
THE CASTE SYSTEM OF NORTHERN INDIA
sible to assert that any particular class of name is peculiar
to either kind of subdivision; but the foilowing general
statements can be made :
(a) Local names.—The original Dravidian exogamous
group was the village. Names of villages, small rowns,
etc. in low castes are probably, therefore, those of origi-
nai exogamous groups. On the other hand, names refer-
ring to large areas would presuppose a migration, in
which case distance would quickly make the group endo-
gamous.
(b) Eponymous names.—If the name is that of a real
or reputed ancestor, the group would originally be exo-
gamous : since such groups are, or are supposed to be,
groups of relatives descended from a common ancestor.
If, on the other hand, it refers to a real or reputed pro-
tector, the group might be either endogamous or exoga-
mous according to circumstances : most often, perhaps,
the former, since it would imply some sort of separation
from the original group.
(c) Ocmipational namcs.—These must always connote
a separation from the original group as a result of the
change of occupation, since otherwise there would be
no need to take a new name at all : and the groups witli
such names would generally be endogamous from the
first.
(d) Caste names.—Where the name connotes a parti-
cular descent, the groups must have been endogamous
from the first, since in respect of the group to which it
affiliated itself, it was so already. Where the name
merely connotes the existence of a particular relation to
the caste in question, the group would not necessarily be
endogamous, and most probably would be exogamous, in
origin.
(e) Totem narfies.—These would originally be names
of exogamous groups.
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sible to assert that any particular class of name is peculiar
to either kind of subdivision; but the foilowing general
statements can be made :
(a) Local names.—The original Dravidian exogamous
group was the village. Names of villages, small rowns,
etc. in low castes are probably, therefore, those of origi-
nai exogamous groups. On the other hand, names refer-
ring to large areas would presuppose a migration, in
which case distance would quickly make the group endo-
gamous.
(b) Eponymous names.—If the name is that of a real
or reputed ancestor, the group would originally be exo-
gamous : since such groups are, or are supposed to be,
groups of relatives descended from a common ancestor.
If, on the other hand, it refers to a real or reputed pro-
tector, the group might be either endogamous or exoga-
mous according to circumstances : most often, perhaps,
the former, since it would imply some sort of separation
from the original group.
(c) Ocmipational namcs.—These must always connote
a separation from the original group as a result of the
change of occupation, since otherwise there would be
no need to take a new name at all : and the groups witli
such names would generally be endogamous from the
first.
(d) Caste names.—Where the name connotes a parti-
cular descent, the groups must have been endogamous
from the first, since in respect of the group to which it
affiliated itself, it was so already. Where the name
merely connotes the existence of a particular relation to
the caste in question, the group would not necessarily be
endogamous, and most probably would be exogamous, in
origin.
(e) Totem narfies.—These would originally be names
of exogamous groups.
42