Ayubowan! #Sri Lanka

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Sri Lanka is known as the wonder of Asia.
Sri Lanka is a country that has high cultural values and heart touching hospitality. It has numerous attractive travel destinations with mesmerizing views. Sri Lanka is a country which has a great cultural heritage.

Sri Lankan's lifestyle is very unique and simple compared to other cultures. I believe it’s because religion plays a huge role in Sri Lankan culture and tradition. We have four major religions such as Buddhism, Christian, Hinduism, and Islam. Citizens live comfortably together respecting each other's religions. Sri Lankans have three official languages, those are Sinhalese, English, and Tamil. Sinhalese is the mother language.

"Ayubowan" is the traditional greeting of Sri Lanka, which means "May you live long". Sri Lankans are very friendly and kind. Sri Lankans are one of the friendliest nations in the world. Hospitality is one of the major elements showing up the true Sri Lankan identity.

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There are many customs and rituals in Sri Lankan culture which were handed down from generation to generation for more than 2500 years. This magnificent culture has many outstanding and unique features such as colorful festivals, Sri Lankan cuisine, Indigenous medicine (ayurvedic), Art, Dance, sculptures, and language.

We shall look into one of these major features, I thought of sharing how Sri Lankans welcome the new year. It is the best time of year to experience the traditional and cultural value. While many countries celebrate the new year on the 1st of January. We celebrate the new year 13th - 14th of April. This festival is known as the "Aluth Awurudda". It is the most awaited festival in Sri Lanka. The month of April is known as the "Bak Mase". The meaning of "Bak" comes from the Sanskrit word "Bhagya" which means fortunate. This festival is not only celebrated by the Sinhalese people but almost every Sri Lankan around the world. Despite the age, race, or religion.

This is a festival which brings everyone together, it’s a time which strengthens the bond between all races. Going back to the early days, this festival is known as the Sun festival. Ancient people used to count the time based on the sun. They considered the Sun as God. The new year dawns when the transition of the Sun from "Meena" (Pisces) to "Mesha" ( Aries) takes place in the Zodiac.

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The very first sign of spring is the melodious sound of Avurudu Koha - it is the new year Cuckoo. This season of the year is the most stunning, colorful, and vibrant. It’s the time of the year to reap the harvest and share among the family and relatives as per the Sinhala and Hindu agricultural customs. Erabadu flowers are also a sign which signifies the new year. It blooms in bright red, orange, and yellow hues. This is the season where trees blossoms bearing fruits and grass turns greener. Even Nature has a unique way of symbolizing this festival.

Before the new year, people start to clean their households, color wash their homes, and re-model. Old unnecessary things are thrown away, bringing new things home. This is done to be purified before stepping into the new year. And also to welcome all the relatives visiting home from different parts of the country. Some gather in their villages to celebrate the new year with their loved ones relaxing.

Preparation of sweet delicacies.

Food plays a huge role in this festival. It’s a practice of women to prepare various kinds of sweets together with everyone. Awurudu treats such as Kawum, Kokkis (It’s the favorite of all children), Athirasa, Mun Kawum, Asmee, Kiri toffee and so much more is prepared before the new year. A platter of homemade sweets is exchanged between neighbors and family, forgetting and forgiving all past disagreements.

The most prominent feature of the new year is the rituals are done on an auspicious time as prescribed by the astrologers. Where there is no auspicious time is called "Nonagathe" - the neutral time. In this period people engage in religious activities such as going to a temple and worshipping.

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What do we dress during the new year?

There are lucky colors given by the astrologer to wear on the new year dawn. Usually, Women wear traditional clothing such as Osariya (It’s a traditional upper country saree) and Redda Hatte. Girls celebrate Avurudu in style wearing a Top for a Batik Lungi. Men mostly wear sarongs during the new year festival.

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The dawn of the New Year

When the new year dawns everyone in the family sits around the hearth. Which is prepared at the entrance of the home Placing an earthy pot filled with Milk. As the countdown starts telecasting on every channel. Everyone starts counting the minutes to light up the hearth. And the sound of firecrackers and the rhythm of Rabana fills everywhere in the country. This is where the beauty of the new year starts. Every household in the country lit up the hearth together in one auspicious time. It’s a very special moment for all Sri Lankans within the country and overseas.

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First Awurudu Meal and respecting the elders

The boiling milk on the hearth symbolizes an abundance of joy, prosperity, and good health throughout the new year. Everyone waits to see the direction in which the milk spills because legend says that the milk spill in the west direction is not a good sign. So mostly everyone tries to keep the fire in a good direction.

After lighting up the hearth next is preparing the Kiri Bath ( Milk Rice) It is the traditional new year dish. In an auspicious time, everyone in the family starts to eat. After the first Awurudu meal. Young ones start respecting the elders by offering lush sheaves of Beatles as blessings. Elders give money to youngsters marking the first financial transaction of the year. Gifts between families are exchanged during this time. These rituals are still followed to pass down to the next generations and develop unity between the family.

Oil anointing ceremony

Everyone goes to the temple for this ritual, applying Ayurvedic oil by a chief monk is a significant ritual in the new year. It underlies the message of staying healthy throughout the year. Those who miss visiting a temple, they start doing it at home at the auspicious time. It’s mostly done by Father or mother in the family.

Traditional games during the new year festival

Once all the rituals are over, children run to play with their friends and family. There are traditional games such as Kotta Pora (Pillow fights), Kana Mutti (The blind game), Leesna Gaha Nageema (Climbing the grease pole), Sack races, Pancha Keliya (Sri Lankan traditional board game), etc which take place during the new year. These games are done involving the entire Sri Lankan community.

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The Last Ritual is to leave for work

After spending weeks of holidays with loved ones. It is time to leave for work.
There is an auspicious time and a lucky color for that too. This marks the end of the festival rituals.

In brief, Awurudu is the grandest festival that everyone in Sri Lanka celebrates. It is immensely connected with nature and our culture. Awurudu is all about my people; community and togetherness. It is rooted in our culture, tradition, and religion. When the whole country lights up the hearth in one strike is really a very special moment for all Citizens Keeping hope of goodness in mind. This is how we welcome the new beginning of our nation. Awurudu is an amazing festival that depicts Sri Lankan culture and tradition.

Hope you enjoyed reading about Sri Lankan culture. Thanks to #oppongk for giving us this wonderful opportunity.

Have a good day!

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