Thurumbar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thurumbar (also known as Thurumba Vannar[1] and Puthirai Vannar[2]) is a Tamil caste found in northeastern part of Sri Lanka and the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.[3] They are traditionally occupied in laundry, notedly performed in service for caste members from the lower strata.[4] They are also known for their involvement as sorcerers.[5]
They were subjugated to untouchability and were known as "unseeable caste", as they were only allowed to travel at night, and some even obliged to drag a palmyra palm behind them. It is speculated that it served the purpose for either notify their whereabouts or for members from privileged castes to avoid their footprints.[3]
