Govigama (also known as Goyigama, Govikula, Govi Vansa or Goyi Vansa) is a Sinhalese caste found in Sri Lanka. They form approximately half of the Sinhalese...

traditional occupation of Govigama and Bathgama was agriculture under Sri Lanka’s feudal land tenure system. But Govigama and Bathgama both communities...

Although large agricultural landlords belonged to the Govigama caste, many now may not own land. Most Govigama were however ordinary farmers and tenants as absolute...

higher ordination only to the Radala and Govigama caste, Sitinamaluwe Dhammajoti (Durawa) being the last non-Govigama monk receive his upasampada. This was...

and a sub-caste of the Govigama caste. Found in the highlands and the maritime provinces but now mostly merged into the Govigama caste. Ryan Bryce 1953...

of this caste performs vital role in the puberty rituals of Radala and Govigama people in some areas of Sri Lanka. They called "Redi nanda" for females...

newly created Siam Nikaya succeeded in restricting upasampada only to the Govigama caste. It was a period when the traditional nobility of the Kingdom of...

South Indians and Bengalis. About half of the Sinhalese population are Govigama. Of the three native tribes, it is believed that the Dewa are part of the...

into larger communities. This community was classed as a sub-caste of the Govigama during the British period. Caste system in Sri Lanka Ryan Bryce 1953 Caste...

had considered themselves to be an exclusive caste and not part of the Govigama caste. Bryce Ryan observed as recently as 1953 that Radalas repudiated...