ARegarded as a national festival in the country, the Sinhala and Tamil New Year is anticipated and celebrated by all Sri Lankans equally, regardless of race or religion. Comprising of much camaraderie, individuals both young and old alike prepare for the many rituals, delicacies and games that form a part of Sinhalese and Hindu culture.
As one and all revel in the togetherness that this season ushers in, here are different aspects of one of Sri Lanka’s most prominent festivals, elaborated below.
Customs
While astrological predictions mark the onset of a brand new year, this season is also associated with welcoming bountiful harvests to farmers and their families. As a result, the New Year tradition shares close connections from an agricultural sense, in both Sinhalese and Hindu culture.
Therefore, it is customary for Hindu farmers to plough their paddy fields come New Year’s Day. The Sinhalese follow slightly different rituals. Presenting betel leaves as offerings to elders by younger individuals signifies respect, while taking a special herbal bath on New Year’s Eve signifies the welcome to a refreshing New Year.
Games
The New Year season marks the beginning of several games that have been popular from one year to the next, including a few contemporary pastimes that have been introduced by British colonialists during their rule. Both indoor and outdoor games make it to this list, with the most popular ones being:
• Pancha Keliya – a board game played with seashells and a coconut shell,
• Playing the rabana – a drum made of Jack trees and goatskin, and played by women, often for competitions,
• Avurudu Kumara/Kumari contest – a pageant that encourages young men and women to participate, with one contestant selected as the winner.
Food
Being a tropical nation that is abundant with coconuts and rice, these 2 ingredients form to be staples in Sri Lankan cuisine. Likewise, New Year goodies are prepared with coconut (either scraped, desiccated or in milk form) and rice (boiled or in paste form) being the base ingredients to most major dishes. Food items include:
• Kiri bath (milk rice),
• Kavum,
• Kokis,
• Coconut ice,
• Milk toffees,
• Aggala,
• Aluva,
• Asmee.
Attire
It is a belief that wearing a brand new outfit during New Year’s Day shall bring forth more new and elegant clothing during the course of the oncoming year. Certain colours are also considered auspicious according to legend, and those who are keen believers try to match their garments to these specific shades as best as they can.
Sarongs are a popular choice among men, while women have slightly more options to take their pick from. A seasonal favourite is the ‘redda hatte’ – an ensemble which consists of a blouse that closely resembles a saree jacket, along with a sarong-like garment that features frilled embellishments at the waist.
Article by: Best Western Colombo