Jatapu caste is surname of many people in southern India. Jatapu caste meaning is The Jatapus are defined, in the Madras Census Report, 1901, as a civilised section of the Khonds, who speak Khond on the hills and Telugu on the plains, and are now practically a distinct caste. They consider themselves superior to those Khonds who still eat beef and snakes, and have taken to some of the ways of the castes of the plains.
For the following note, I am indebted to Mr. C. Hayavadana Rao. The name Jatapu is popularly believed to be an abbreviated form of Konda Jatapu Doralu, or lords of the Khond caste. To this caste the old chiefs of the Palkonda Zamindari are said to have [454]belonged. It is divided into a number of septs, such, for example, as
Thorika or Thoyika, who revere the thorika kodi, a species of wild fowl.
Kadrika, who revere another species of fowl.
Mamdangi, who revere the bull or cow.
Addaku, who revere the addaku (Bauhinia racemosa), which is used by low-country people for eating-platters.
Konda Gorre, who revere a certain breed of sheep.
Navalipitta, who revere the peacock.
Arika, who revere the arika (Paspalum scrobiculatum).
Other septs, recorded in the Census Report, 1901, are Koalaka (arrow), Kutraki (wild goat), and Vinka (white ant, Termes).
Marriage is celebrated either before or after a girl reaches puberty. A man may claim his paternal aunts daughter as his wife. The marriage ceremonies closely resemble those of the low-country Telugu type. The bride-price, called voli, is a new cloth for the brides mother, rice, various kinds of grain, and liquor. The bride is conducted to the house of the bridegroom, and a feast is held. On the following morning, the kallagolla sambramam (toe-nail cutting) ceremony takes place, and, later on, at an auspicious hour, the wrist threads (kankanam) are tied on the wrists of the contracting couple, and their hands joined together. They then bathe, and another feast is held. The remarriage of widows is allowed, and a younger brother may marry the widow of his elder brother. Divorce is permitted, and divorcées may remarry.
The dead are usually buried, but those who die from snake-bite are said to be burnt. Death pollution lasts [455]for three days, during which the caste occupation of cultivating is not carried on. An annual ceremony is performed by each family in honour of the dead. A fowl or goat is killed, a portion of the days food collected in a plate, and placed on the roof of the house. Once in twenty years or so, all the castemen join together, and buy a pig or cow, which is sacrificed in honour of the ancestors.
The caste goddess is Jakara Devata, who is propitiated with sacrifices of pigs, sheep, and buffaloes. When the crop is gathered in, the first fruits are offered to her, and then partaken of.
The caste headman is called Nayudu or Samanthi, and he is assisted by the Janni, or caste priest, who officiates at ceremonials, and summons council meetings.
The caste titles are Dora, Naiko, and Samanto.
Jatapu caste is one of the many castes subcastes of India.
India has thousands of castes and subcastes, they are in existence and practice since the Vedic times. They were created to solve the problem of division of labor. Jatapu caste name could indicate the type of work people belonging to the Jatapu caste do or did in earlier times. Many last names in India indicate the place the person originally belongs to. All castes sub castes are primarily divided into 4 categories:
1.Brahmins – The learned or priestly class
2.Khastriyas – The warrior class or those with governing functions
3.Vaishyas – The trader, agriculturalists or cattle rearers class
4.Shudra – The class that serves other three categories
Jatapu caste belongs to one of the above 4 categories. Indian caste system is the best system to solve the problem of division of labor. In earlier times there was no rigidity in caste system. Indian caste system is still the best solution for the problem of division of labor, the only change that is needed as per changed times is that rather than having a vertical hierarchical system with Brahmins on top and Shudras at bottom, it would be good to have a horizontal socialist system with Brahmins, Khastriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras all at same level.
The caste system of India is in ruins at present. It is also cause of bloody quarrels in certain parts of the rural India. People of backward castes have reservations in government jobs, this facility is widely misused in India. Many of the backward caste people have become rich and still use the facility for their benefit. Many in India believe reservation in jobs should be given on the basis of poverty rather than caste because there are many poors in upper castes as well.
Many criticize the Indian caste system because of bad material condition of lower castes but if they observe in an unbiased way they would find that there are many in upper castes with bad material conditions. The problem lies in power not in castes, power can corrupt anyone be it from upper caste or lower caste.
All cultures, all countries, all religions have caste system in one form or the other. Christians have different churches depending on the region or language or skin color of people. Muslims have a priestly class that tries to control everything. Arab Muslims before the oil boom were so much divided among tribes that if you drank water from a well of a different tribe you could be shot dead. Tribal divisions still exists among Muslims. You can also see the caste system in a different form in your corporate companies. I had seen different food and drinking facilities for people at different levels.
Jatapu caste is also known as Jatapu Gotra.
Caste situation is quiet different in urban India, people in urban areas especially youngsters don?t bother about castes. Inter caste, inter religious, inter lingual marriages are quiet common in urban India. Inter caste, inter religious and inter lingual marriages in rural areas attract severe criticism and many times people are expelled from community for not marrying as per religious and caste rules.