WASAGAMA (SURNAME) AND INDIVIDUAL NAME CHANGES AMONG THE SINHALESE OF SRI LANKA: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY
Journal Title: Social Affairs - Year 2017, Vol 1, Issue 6
Abstract
There appears a good number of newspaper notices to effect changes in surname (Wasagama) and individual names by the Sinhalese of Sri Lanka. Surname and name indicate the social status of an individual in the broad linguistic-cultural context among the Sinhalese. Even though Sri Lanka is a practicing democracy, there are discriminations meted upon individuals on traditional caste based hierarchical norms of behavior. Successive governments have followed universal public policies that discourage ascribed values, while certain caste groups have been forming associations with the objective of inculcating pride among members of their folds and thereby helping the enhancement of perceived social status. Consideration of caste in social interactions is visible in many spheres of social activity in Sri Lanka despite avowed universal values. In this light, surname and name changes constitute one of the mechanisms adopted to manipulate this social reality. The present study was based on a classifcation of newspaper notices into certain categories in order to explore the general pattern of surname and name changes, with the objective of identifying the motivating factors behind such changes and the benefts accrued to the individual though such a process. The study concluded that name change does not only constitute a change of caste but also involves changing other types of identities.
Authors and Affiliations
Upul Abeyrathne, Suranjith Gunasekera and Pulsi Epa
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP31430
- DOI -
- Views 335
- Downloads 1
SURVIVAL AND REVIVAL OF TIBETAN ETHNIC IDENTITY IN INDIA
Ethnic identity is a complex multifaceted phenomenon that is constructed or negotiated to form a nation-state. Once formed, it occupies an intrinsic part of the development of an individual. Multiple circumstances have...
CULTURAL TRANSFORMATION IN SRI LANKA AND ITS IMPACT ON THE REGIONAL CULTURAL LANDSCAPE
The process of cultural transformation in South Asia has witnessed many phases both in terms of political power and religion. Presently the Islamic faith seems to be forming the newest phase of cultural transformation...
PERADENIYA ACADEMICS OF THE EARLY DAYS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO SINHALA STUDIES
The contribution of the University of Peradeniya to the theatre and literary arts is well known. The ‘Golden Era’ of Peradeniya was characterized by a succession of truly phenomenal works in the felds of fction, poetry...
‘VAJRA JAYANTHI’ OF A GREAT SEAT OF HIGHER LEARNING: A MILLENNIUM PERSPECTIVE
Mine was a life closely intertwined with this great university and its intellectual traditions. I happened to be one of those few individuals who were privileged to be born in the same year in which the university was...
PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIOLOGICAL, AND POLITICAL DIMENSIONS OF RAGGING IN SRI LANKAN UNIVERSITIES
Ragging is interpreted as a phenomenon that has arisen in the university mainly as a result of the sexual and romantic deprivations of male students who are away from their usual places of residence or birthplaces. Thi...