Thimilar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Thimilar | |
|---|---|
| Religions | Christianity, Hinduism |
| Languages | Tamil |
| Related groups | Tamils, Sri Lankan Tamils |
Thimilar (Tamil: திமிலர்) is a Sri Lankan Tamil caste found in the northern and eastern coastal areas of Sri Lanka, and globally among the Tamil diaspora. They are traditional artisanal fishers primarily engaged in shallow-water fishing.[1][2] In Eastern Sri Lanka are they also involved in cattle cultivation.[3]
Historically, they have also been known as Sindhu nāttar (people of Sindh), following their own myth origins.[4]
The word Thimilar is derived from the word thimil, a Tamil word for boat, and the honorific suffix -ar, thus Thimilar is literally translated as Boatmen.[5] The Akanaṉūṟu of the Sangam literature, mentions Thimilan, as a boat using fisherman.[6]