caste

A system of stratifying a society into ranked groups defined by marriage, descent, and occupation. Most common in South Asia, caste systems are also found in other societies. such as in Mali and Rwanda. In the past, such systems could be found in Japan, in South Africa under apartheid, and among the Natchez – an American Indian people.

The caste system in Hindu society dates from ancient times. Traditional society is loosely ranked into four varnas (social classes): Brahmin (priests), Kshatriyas (nobles and warriors), Vaisyas (traders and farmers), and Sudras (servants), plus a fifth group, Harijan (untouchables). Their subdivisions, jati, number over 3,000, each with its own occupation. A Hindu's dharma, or holy path in life, depends not only on the stage of life (ashrama) that he or she is currently in, but also on caste; it is a duty to follow the caste into which one is born by the laws of rebirth. Traditionally, Hindus would only mix with and marry people of their own caste.