CULTURAL CONTEST : Spreading Sri Lankan identity : Sinhalese New Year

Culture is one thing that spreads the pride of a country or a nation around the world. Blessed with living in a multicultural country, I'll share about one of the most awaiting celebrations of the year, for Sri Lanka. Thank your @belenguerra, @writingnreviews & @fendit for organizing such a beautiful contest.

It's about Sinhala and Tamil new year.

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"Bak" usually called April is the month we celebrate the new year when Sun is directly above the island. Unlike the celebrations of the new gregorian calendar new year at midnight on 31st December, Sinhala traditional new year begins 13th or 14th of April.

Asian koels' melodious song and Erabadu flowers are the most special new year messengers. General awakening of nature, blooming of the flowers, trees with new dresses just say the new year is coming!! This is the end of the harvest season and spring of Sri Lanka.

Asian koel in an Erabadu tree

As a kid, my experience of the new year is really great in a remote village like Butala. Actually, I can't find the words to explain the joy of the new year for little me. It is the time the paddy is harvested and the fields are left fallow for us to play. Unlike children today with smartphones we really enjoyed these things which were connected with the new year.

happy kids

The houses are rebuilt, rearranged, and washed for welcoming the new year. Everyone gets new clothes too. As a kid, It was a really exciting part... New clothes with a fresh smell!!! Everything is fresh and new!! Avurudda is always a fresh feeling.

History

The traditional new year goes back to the ancient periods of Sri Lanka. The new year is connected with various beliefs associated with the fertility of the harvest, customs, and ceremonies. In the 3rd century, the new year and the new year activities got a connection with Buddhism. The majority of the people in Sri Lanka are Buddhists and the Buddhistic outlook was predominant in transforming the new year rituals to what they are now.

Rituals of the new year.

• Nonagathya

The time in between the old year and the beginning of the new year is called nonagathya or neutral period. Literally a period with auspicious time. So this time is devoted to religious observances and to play. As religious observances, Buddhist people go to temples and have the blessings of the monks. People get a little break to see their own souls.

Going to the temple

Games like playing the Rabana, placing an eye on an elephant, pillow fights, Tug-o-war, breaking the pots, Olinda keliya, Going on the swing are specific new year games that are played by adults and children together during this time.

Awurudu Games

Awurudu Games

Awurudu Games

• The Dawn of the new year

The dawn of the new year coincides with the end of the neutral period. I admit that the firecrackers are not eco friendly and dangerous. Also, it's not something that makes the animals happy. But the fresh vibrancy that comes with the firecracker voice with the new year is another happiness

• Lighting the hearth in Auspicious time

At the auspicious time which comes after the dawn of the new year, the hearth is lighted to prepare milk rice. In ancient times we had clay hearths and they are newly rearranged with new clay. Most of the time mother of the home does this. We use fresh rice from the harvest and coconut milk for preparing milk rice. When the milk rice prepares in the pot on the hearth milk bolis and overflowing. We consider this as a sign of good luck and we wish prosperity and happiness together.

Lighting the hearth in Auspicious time

• Eating foods and worshiping the adults.

I am writing this while smelling the fresh milk rice smell that comes with fresh banana leaves by my mind. Not only the milk rice but also the new year dining table consist of traditional Sri Lankan foods like kewum, kokis, Aluwa, Dodol Munguli etc.

The new year dining table

Each and every Sri Lankan who celebrate the new year eat milk rice at the same auspicious time. This is a priceless moment when the whole family gets together.

After eating young ones worship the adults by giving a bunch of betel leaves, and adults bless them with all their heart. In Sri Lanka, betel leaves are a symbol of respect. Sometimes adults offer some money wrapped with betel leaves to the little children.

worshiping the adults

People don't forget to make the first money transaction with a lucky hand. Maybe that person is the one who opens the new year dining table at the auspicious time.

People fall in love again by forgiving the mistakes they made in the old year. They go to each other's homes and renew their friendships and relationships. It's a very important part.

• Applying oil on the head.

According to the beliefs in astrology Buddhist monks prepare the medical oil in the temples and applied these on the heads of the celebrants, not only for the humans but also for the animals wishing a healthy year, while chanting pirith.

Applying oil

Hidden meanings of the new year.

• Thanking and respecting nature.

We think of the sun as a god. We are celebrating something related to the path of the sun. The fact that the sun is a god is not a myth to me. The one who determines the existence of the world must be a god and there is a solemn thanksgiving for the sun in this celebration.

Dealing with the well is another ritual that says thanks to the well which gives water. It's not a thank just for the well. It's for the whole of nature who determine our existence.

Dealing with the well

• Forgiving and sharing the love

One of the aims of the new year is to correct past mistakes and to live in peace with all. It's very important for the well being of a country.

People who have moved away from home for work, are reunited with their families and fall in love. Respect the elders and make them happy.

So this is Sinhalese new year. Not only the Sinhala people, but Tamil people also celebrate the new year with their own rituals. The way may vary. But the aim is the same and we all are Sri Lankans with Sri Lankan blood. The service rendered by the new year for peace and unity in this country is excellent.

Decoration of Tamil people

Spreading happiness, unity among nations, forgiveness, sharing of love, being thankful for nature, living according to the religion are the footsteps of the new year. So how can I not love a festival like this? I celebrate this, for the rest of my life. I love the new year forever!!!

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Thank you.
Best Regards!