Govigama Sub-castes
The Niti Nighanduva published in 1880 to promote The Govi Supremacy lists the following as sub-castes of the Govigama:
- Radalakam peruwa or Mudali Peruwa
- Painda Peruwa (Messengers)
- Wediwanse ( Veddahs)
As the higher levels, and the following as the inferior classes of the Goviya caste:
- Nilamakkarayo(Suppliers of rice and other food to the landlord - Tenant farmers )
- Pattiwala aya (Herdsmen)
- Wiramestaragolla
- Porokara or Kunam Maduve Gamayo (Wood cutters)
- Etwala panikkiyo (Suppliers of food for elephants)
- Malkaruvo (Suppliers of flowers)
- Kuttanwala etto (Suppliers of fish from irrigation tanks. Kevulo)
- Balibath Gamayo (Suppliers of rice for Devabali, religious offerings)
- Gattaru ( Referred to as Gattara in medieval inscriptions )
- Tibillo
(Niti Nighanduva 6) However most of these have since merged, and together with anonymous migrants from other higher castes joining its rank in the cities, a Mega-Govi caste has since formed. The post monarch Niti Niganduwa is not without errors and while attempting to include some pre-existing tribes of the pre Kandyan territory like the Yaksa/Veddha, have excluded others like the Deva. Also, a few coastal castes are not mentioned or exempt from this classification/ideology. Strictly speaking the Veddha that do not follow a caste system has a distinctly unique heritage, culture, language, lifestyle and even some genetic differences cannot be mixed into this group and has a lot to lose from it.
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