Saliya (or Chaliya or sali or sale) is a Malayali weavers' caste found mostly in Northern Kerala and Southern coastal Karnataka. This community historically spread in the districs of Kasaragod and Kannur in Kerala and Dakshina Kannada in Karnataka. The geographical and social constraints led this group to adopt caste names like Devanga and Padmashali in some cases. Its name shares similarities with those of the cinnamon peelers' caste in Sri Lanka, Salagama or Haali.

Other sali(weaver) castes

This page deals with only Northern Kerala Malyalee Saliya(Chaliya)s. Some of the other Salicastes are listed here.

• Padmasali  : Andhra Pradesh(Telugu)
• Devanga  : Karnataka(Kannada)
• Saliyar/Padmasaliyar : Tamilnadu(Tamil/Telugu)
• Pattarya  : Kerala(Malayalam)

Saliya/Padmashali/Devanga is widely and sometimes interchangeably used. However, Kannada andTelugu Salis differ from Malayalee Salis in many cultural aspects. The former are patriarchal follow many Brahmanical customs.

Right-Hand and Left-Hand castes

These two are basically divisions in Dravidian society and have no relationwith Brahmanical caste system. Saliyas are divided into these two groups. Left-Hand caste or Edanga and Right-Hand Caste or Balanga. The Edanga Saliyas are spread mainly in Kasaragod and Mangalore whereas Balangas concentrated in Kannur.Balangas form 84% of total Saliya population. This page discusses about Edanga branch of Saliyas.

Edanga (Left-Hand caste) Saliyas

This group follows matrilineal system. The children of the family are part of mother'stharavad. As a result of this system the inheritance of Gothras is through mother. None of the other Dravidian Malayali castes are known to exhibit Gothra system. Thesignificant illums or

• Kongn'ni
• Anjari
• Badiyar
• Njand
• Murund
• Tarurti

Origins

Myth of origin

There is no definite written history about this group. Edanga Saliyasdo not have surnames. Like many of the declared lower castes in India, they too have their myth of origin ascribing them to higher caste roots. According to this myth Saliyas were of Brahmin origin. At some point of time, they struggled to survive performing only brahmanical rituals. Since manual labour was forbidden for Brahmins, the only way left was becoming shudras. They removed their sacred thread and tied it onto the spinning wheel thus symbolically ending their Brahmanism and commencing their life as weavers.

The above story uses hypothetical dogmatic Brahmanical expectations. However, this was neverthe case in caste system. There are many Brahmin castes engaged in manual labour for many generations. The Sourashtrians, a Brahmin caste found mainly in Tamil Nadu are weavers.

Diverse origins

Chaliya is the general term used in Kerala for the people engaged in weaving. However, people belonging to this caste could be of different origins. Many community members identify themselves as Devanga Chettys or Sali Chettys. Many of them have taken surnames like Chettiar in Kerala. In Karnataka, sometimes Shetty(instead of Chetty) is used. It's unclear if some cloth merchant Chettys became part of this community over time though many from this community were cloth merchants too.

Historical flight

The Edanga Saliayas were not always part of Kasaragod and Mangalore. They were driven out of Kannur centuries back(No definite dates available). There are two accounts describing this and they may or may not related.

The Right-Hand castes and Left-Hand Castes were two opposing groups of Dravidians. These groups indulged in sporadic fights till 19th century. The origin and cause for their rivalry is still a mystery. Even the reason behind cessation of hostilites is unclear. In one such fight between them, Edanga Saliyas were beaten and driven out of Kannur. The beaten Edangas were escaped and came to live in the areas of Kasaragod and Mangalore.

The second account is fraught

Sali, etymology

There are two interpretations for the origin of this word. Some anthropologists believe it's derived from the Sanskrit word meaning 'silk cloth'.

However, linguistic construction of Dravidian languages traces it's root to Proto-South-Dravidian word saal. In Tulu, Saalye or Taalye means spider. Probably, that indicates why this word was used for weavers. In Tamil, it's Saalikan or Saaliyan. In Kannada, it's Shaaliga or Shaaliya. In Malayalam, Chaaliyan.

Balanga (Right-Hand caste) saliyas

Balanga Saliyas are mostly found in Kannur. They have taken up the caste name Padmashali. Kannur was famous for its weaving industry throughout the history of Kerala.

Socio-economic situation

The caste position until the dawn of 20th century

Saliyas were one of the occupational groups part of temple centred Naduvazhis in Malabar, Kerala. The Naduvazhi based caste system came into existence during medieval times. The purity-pollution rules codified and applied to Kerala society around this period. Probably, weavers belonging to different groups in Kerala became a single endogamous unit during this period. Typical with all other castes in Kerala, these people are also goddess(Bhagavathi) worshippers.

Males and females of this community were not allowed to cover their upper body. Sexual exploitation of females of this community was not uncommon.

Caste/Hinduism since 20th century

The majority of Edaanga Saliyas generally lived along with Tulu/Kannada people in Northern Kasaragod and Mangalore. Probably, due to relative liberal caste environment in this region compared to Malayala region, the majority were never part of any radical movements that engulfed whole Kerala in the first part of twentieth century. There were few Communists and few Congressmen from this community. Post independence(1947), few community people have even grown closer to fascist Hindu movements.

Female rights

The female members of this caste had property rights, a fact common in matrilineal society. Females could divorce and re-marry. However, marriage annulment was to be decided by the community elders. Widow marriage was also allowed.

Independent religious traditions

Many artisan castes in South India have their own temples and priests. Saliyas too have their own goddess temples. The consecration of a temple would be done by the community members themselves.

Traditionally, Saliyas of Malayala region were not dependent upon Brahmins for marriage and other rituals, a situation continued even today. However, in Tulu region most of the social rituals would be conducted by Tulu Brahmins.

Economic situation

Perhaps, it is a miracle that weavers survived in Kerala society for so long! Until the dawn of 20th century, Malayali men and women hardly wore anything. However, it's observed that colonial rule was responsible for the pauperization of these people during the later half of 19th century. The situation improved a bit in early 20th century, which of course also saw full covering of Malayalis. The post independence era saw total destruction of Edaanga Saliyas' handloom industry in the face of powerlooms elsewhere in India. The present generation is hardly employed in weaving. Most of them have become professionals. Typical with other Malayalis literacy is near total.

However, if one gets the impression that everybody from this community were weavers then it is totally wrong. Many from this community were also engaged in trading, agriculture, native medicine(to name a few) in the past. Also, Saliyas were not the only caste engaged in weaving.

Genetics

Inheritance of illam is through mother. Therefore, mtDNA study might put light into common maternal ancestry of various Gotras.

References

1.

2. Caste and Race in India by G.S. Gurye