Building a Distinct Ethnic Identity: A Study of the Indian Origin Tamils in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The Indian Origin Tamils are of relatively recent origin. They have come to the island nation during the British colonial period and have worked and lived in the plantations for many generations. They exhibit an identity that reflects their historical past and since they are a plantation community, their culture is a combination of the traditions inherited from their ancestors and the one that has developed in the plantations throughout the years. The community considers itself as a part of the Sri Lankan nation in every sense, as the community does not have any desire to have a separate territorial entity but do aspire to have equal political and economic rights. At the same time they also want to be recognized as ethnic group with a distinctive identity from that of the Sri Lankan Tamils and the Tamils in India. The paper shall discuss the bases and sources for assertion of a distinct ethnic identity by the Indian Origin Tamils. For this, the author shall analyse the history and the attributes of their ethnic identity.