VANNI CULTURE
Vanni Area covers a large region in the middle and north central Sri Lanka. It has specific zones, i.e., North Western Coastal Zone, Galkada Rata Zone [Athugalpura -Yapahuwa Zone], Nuwaragam Zone, Thamankaduwa Zone, Wellassa-Digamadulla Zone, Eastern Coastal Zone, and Northern Vanni Zone. Vanniculture and social systems were intrinsic to the region, and according to the legendary tales, the vanniculture is existing since the time of "Alaka Narapathi", who ruled Lanka empire, perhaps it might be existed in 10th century B.C. Emperor "Alaka" was a Yakka king, who ruled thousand islands in the Indian Ocean from the centre of Lanka [Sri Lanka]. In his childhood, he was named as "Alaka Khanta Giri" , and before he become the king, he learnt all the shashthra, and secrets of medicine 9 all science and art ) and exercise of supernatural powers. Yakka king "Rawana" ruled a similar empire central to Lanka, but, his regime was existed few centuries before the king 'Alaka Narapathi. Alaka Narapathi followed the universally accepted code of conduct in sovereign rules enacted by King "Manu" at the beginning of human existence on the earth. King Alaka was decending from the same dynasty of "Rawana" the dynasty of Gods, ususly named as "Yakka" a clan of 'Asura". This Asura dynasty prevailed unbroken until 6th century B.C.
In 6th century and in 3rd century, two North Indian intrusions (some kind of invasions) were taken place, both were with religious involvements: 1. First invasion was done by Prince Vijaya and his 800 naval military, in 6th century B.C., and they accompanied with Hindu Missions, and destroyed the "yakka regimes" with the help of Kweni, the daughter of the Yakka king. This was happened recurrently, and 2. the second invasion was done with the arrival of Buddhist missions in Sri lanka, in 3rd century, B.C.with the influence of Emperor Asoka in India.. The many cultural intrinsic features and holy shrine sites, which were in great rocky mountains, caves, and in plains were changed, and in that places, the Buddhist and Hindu shrines were built.
In 6th century B. C, North Indian invasion to Lanka made severe threats to indigenous culture, the Indian Hindu administrative systems were penetrated in to the society. Since then, recurrent invasions made by various Hindu missions had made cultural and ethnic disintegrations. The indigenous clans tend to mix the intrinsic norms in to the new systems and and prevailed them generation to generation. In the advent of Buddhism and North Indian cultural norms and believes to Lanka in 3rd century B.C., a new circle of learnt social system was began to emerge, and this new circle consisted of educated and learnt category of the social system, and many wrings of a ancient knowledge of art and science in vanniculral system was confined to secure only by indigenous medical practitioners and Gurunanses. many books written on palm leaves began to vanish in the process of acculturation during the period of 3rd century B.C. 8th century
"Alaka Narapathi" obtained universal power from the God Vesamuni [Viswakarma], to perform supernatural powers over the world. The emperor Alaka had power to negotiate and communicate with universal spirits through a system of meditation, and could developed the systems of worship to devils and the Gods, and systems of paying homage and make offerings to Gods, Devils and Demons. He invented and established the wide variety of "Shanthikarma:, Bali karma, thovilkarma, Dola Pideni Karma, and systems of indigenous medical practice, called 'hela Jeewa karma". He established four cast system to perform all rituals, norms and social functions of the nation for ever. : 1. Rada Kula (dauby cast) to perform all the rituals, duties and social actions, 2, Beravas and kapuvas Cast (Panchanada - Kapuva Kula), 3. Gurukula -Ganithakula (those who practice 'Gurukam" and "Vedakam and 'Gurukam"). 4. Ratekula (gentle Cast). All these cast should perform their duties as the emperor King Alaka had enacted and enforced all rituals and norms which should be followed in i. social occasions, i;e,. birth of child, rituals at the occasions of puberty of girls, at pre-negotiations of marriages, at marriage, at deaths, and so on, and ii. rituals and norms at religious ceremony, systems of paying homage to Gods, systems of worship to Gods, systems of offering and sacrificing to Gods, use of 'mantrams, verses, chantings, and systems of communication with Gods, systems of worship, paying homage, offering and sacrifiszng to in written books.
The cast system was formed according to the social responsibilities of the subject, but economic activity performances were not adopted as operational mechanism, as it had been in operation in Hinduism in ancient days. In the perfect lines of the Lanka cast system, individuals in any cast had right to follow and exercise any duty or act of "Gurukarmakula', especially acts of exercising indigenous medical practises and superhuman therapeutic practises. an appointed gangs of servants, appointed by the King, in all four cast categories to serve to the royal family based community, to provide all services bound to each cast, and they were granted many more fringe benefits, and given more land for cultivation for their own food security, in their clans.
The "Gurukula" or 'Gurukarmakula" and "kapukula", the clan leaders had been enforced to fulfill rituals and annual offerings to the Devils and Gods, as under customary bondage, as given guidelines to the Casts.
"Dola" and "Pideni" are practice by the "Vedaralas" and "kapuralas" even today. It is an annual offering system to the devils and gods as had prescribed by the grand fathers of the clan. "Wadiyakun Pideema" (offerings to "Wadi Yakka)" is another system of offering to gods and devils by the "vedaralas", which has been followed by generation to generation.
'Waddi Yakka" is considered as Devil, and some occasions as God, and it is generally accepted by the vanni community, that Waddi Yakka is in charge of all activities of indigenous medicine, and other medical superstitions. I have seen, every home of such practitioners, there was a small sack of paddy, hanging over the under roof, and before such practitioners depart from home for such medical practice, he let blow of scent powder to fire matcup andlet smell smokes to that paddy sack, and pay homage to Waddi Yakka, and pray to attend to divine power to his practice to cure the patient.
I have seen several times how this function of pay homage and offering of foods to Waddi Yakka, specially in 1957-1960, when my grand father as a indigenous medical practitioner, fulfilled this customary bondage to Gods and devils.
Such practitioners, i.e., Vedarala (indigenous medical practitioner, and Kapurala or gurunanse who practice as witch doctors/vedaratas of '\"yanthra/Manthra" have to once a year, according to traditionally has been shedulled, pay homage and offer foods to Waddi Yakka, as it has been a customary bondage with Gods and good devils. If they failed or refused to attend to this annual ceremony of homage, that family would be under the pressure of evils. For this homage and ceremony, the household should prepare since morning to collect necessary goods to cook seven curry meals and bowl of rice. First they get down the sack of paddy that was offered to God which was hung over the under roof, and add more paddy enough to that amount and mill the paddy by only male, and prepare rice for cooking. Next one elder go to wood to hunt, and he come back with sufficient meat of an animal. For this offering should seven kind of meals to be prepared with fish and meat. One person go to village tank to catch fish and he comes back with sufficient fish. Others go to farm land and collect some vegetables and leaves. Cooking starts at 3.00 Clock evening, and food is prepared at 5.30 evening. A number of families takepart at this function. Fist they pack rice in larger clay vessel, and tie it to one end of strong rod, and they pack all the meals in clay made vessels and tie on the other end of the rod. Then, they start the procedure of offering, as once they depart the house, one person take all the bulk on rod and keep it on his shoulder, and he first start to go, and others follow him. They come to nearby pitch near the shrub, or adjacent abandoned fruit garden, and keep the packs of food on the ground carefully. Then they prepare a temporary altar/yahana for the Gods, and prepare "Gottu" posts before it. Then they offer food to first waddi yakka' and then to other Gods and Devils they worship. at this movement offerings are done by Gurunnanse, or by kapurala, and he begins pray Gods and Devils, it is called 'yathikava" a chanting of prayers consisted a variety of verses, manthras and charms. After Gurunanse completed his all duties, all the people who accompanied to this function sit round and eat food. having completed all rituals at this stage, people come back home of Vedarala, to enjoy shooing bitle as a customary norm. Gurunanse ask vedarala to take back other residue food at home, and share with other neighbours.
The details of the cultural features, law systems, state of the knowledge in art and science, and the systems of use of supernatural powers for the benefit of human survival are were passed from generation to generation until the mid part of the 20th century, but with rapid acculturation and economic modernization, the the systems of knowledge flow was weakened, and now it is a question to restore this knowledge.
Vannithammenawe "Grunnanse" was the only man who knew about ancient vanniculture, and "Yakka Regimes" exxisted before Christ. Gurunnanse's name was "Welathe Rala", but he was known as 'Gurunnanse'. In 1920s and 1930s he used to visit in some village areas to attent to 'Shanthikarma'. In this time period he has come to our village and used to talk with my grand father and other elders until morning. The used to put a fire heap, or Om, on the front yard of the home, and they discussed some matters of supernatural powers of spirits and devils, and the systems of ancient knowledge of 'manthras' and magical powers used by ancient 'yakka culture'. The Grunnanse had uncovered the old stories interrelated with vanniculture. Vannithammanawe Gurunnanse had a number of thovil books, a poetry volume, which contained prayer poems written on palm leaves. This contained series of poem volumes, that they sing with udakki and drum beating until morning, to pay homage and offerings to Gods and passionated Devils. These poems include the phrasing of ancient gods with their glory and power. These books written on palm leaves include the history of that gods.
During the times Alaka Empire, the art and science knowledge had been upgraded up to maximum level, and human knew how to use supernatural spirits and their power in adventures of naval military endeavours, and how to ride wooden aircraft, building of vast dams across rivers, knowing of secrets of knowledge of medicine, and use of manthrams, etc.,.
Alaka Emperor had seven heroes, who were more powerful and adamant in wars; they were:Girimukkha, Kumbhandha, Aiyana, Vadigarashtra, Girikala, Kambili, and Singalukha. He had valiant and seven brave Commanders, i.e, Nagaraksha, Neelakhandu, Girinaga, Bhattaraksha, pandukala, Jeewhatta, and Virupaksha who helped him to control the islands under him. King involved with international trade business with his naval militants, specially trading of gems, tusks, spices, and medical herbal stuffs. He exported these items to central Asian regions, to Persia, and to Egypt, and to Mediterranean countries, through Red Sea to Egypt, and redistributed from Egypt to other countries. He employed Commander Nagaraksha to collect herbal medicine from 'Nilgiri Mountains" in India. He collected more valuable medical plants from Nilgirimountain region and replanted in Lanka and in other islands.
King Alaka had married Queen "Mandakkini", and she was the most beautiful woman at that time, and even Gods and devathavas respected her. She had learned all aspects and fields of 'Devadharma" (Art of the Divine Power). This age, there was a rule issued by King, that all the members of the Royal family and the all higher level military commanders and, heroes assumed as advisers and ministers to learn and practice "Devadharma" and systems of meditation and communication with Gods, devils and other universal spirits..
The Queen Mandagni Had seven sons and one daughter, and her name was, Prince Anga Devi. That name was given to her because she was beautiful like a Manel Flower, and attracted by Gods. She did not married, but used live with God price Viduraj, and God prince Vuduraj helped King to secure the Southern ocean boundary of Lanka.
The seven sons of King were entrusted with ruling of other islands of the empire.
It is widely known that, the "Hela Medicine" science was at a highest place during the ancient 'yakka" regimes. The system of decomposing chemicals of herbals and making oral medicine was practiced at that time. The system of extracting herbal chemicals and making medicine from that chemical; and keeping that chemicals for a long time as they are based to coconut oil or gingili oil [sesame oil] by heating. They had developed various branches of medicine, i.e., general, child [bala vedakama], bones [kadum bindum], eye [as vedakama], head [kapala vedakama], poison [sharpa vedakama], and nerves [anshabhaga], and 'shanthikarma' [psychiatric].
SOCIAL SCIENTIST
[EX. SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW AT HARTI, COLOMBO, SRI LANKA]
ADDRESS: 27/6 MENIK WATTA, KALALGODA, PANNIPITIYA, SRI LANKA
EMAIL: Teleohone: +94 72 865 8467
dingiri50@gmail.com
ddtkonn48@yahoo.com
______________________________________________________________________________________
I HAVE COVERED MY HIGHER EDUCATION IN SEVERAL FIELDS OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
*B.A. in Geography, [second class honours], University of Ceylon, 1972;
*Post Graduate Diploma in "Land Settlement and Development", University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, 1977;
*Field Certificate on "Jordan River Valley Development Project", University of Jordan, Jordan, 1986;
* M.A. in Rural Social Development, University of Reading, U.K ,1987;
*Certificate of "Social Science Research Methodology", University of Peradeniya, Sri lanka, 1980;
*Ph.D. in Development Studies, Deakin University, Australia, 1996;
In 6th century and in 3rd century, two North Indian intrusions (some kind of invasions) were taken place, both were with religious involvements: 1. First invasion was done by Prince Vijaya and his 800 naval military, in 6th century B.C., and they accompanied with Hindu Missions, and destroyed the "yakka regimes" with the help of Kweni, the daughter of the Yakka king. This was happened recurrently, and 2. the second invasion was done with the arrival of Buddhist missions in Sri lanka, in 3rd century, B.C.with the influence of Emperor Asoka in India.. The many cultural intrinsic features and holy shrine sites, which were in great rocky mountains, caves, and in plains were changed, and in that places, the Buddhist and Hindu shrines were built.
In 6th century B. C, North Indian invasion to Lanka made severe threats to indigenous culture, the Indian Hindu administrative systems were penetrated in to the society. Since then, recurrent invasions made by various Hindu missions had made cultural and ethnic disintegrations. The indigenous clans tend to mix the intrinsic norms in to the new systems and and prevailed them generation to generation. In the advent of Buddhism and North Indian cultural norms and believes to Lanka in 3rd century B.C., a new circle of learnt social system was began to emerge, and this new circle consisted of educated and learnt category of the social system, and many wrings of a ancient knowledge of art and science in vanniculral system was confined to secure only by indigenous medical practitioners and Gurunanses. many books written on palm leaves began to vanish in the process of acculturation during the period of 3rd century B.C. 8th century
"Alaka Narapathi" obtained universal power from the God Vesamuni [Viswakarma], to perform supernatural powers over the world. The emperor Alaka had power to negotiate and communicate with universal spirits through a system of meditation, and could developed the systems of worship to devils and the Gods, and systems of paying homage and make offerings to Gods, Devils and Demons. He invented and established the wide variety of "Shanthikarma:, Bali karma, thovilkarma, Dola Pideni Karma, and systems of indigenous medical practice, called 'hela Jeewa karma". He established four cast system to perform all rituals, norms and social functions of the nation for ever. : 1. Rada Kula (dauby cast) to perform all the rituals, duties and social actions, 2, Beravas and kapuvas Cast (Panchanada - Kapuva Kula), 3. Gurukula -Ganithakula (those who practice 'Gurukam" and "Vedakam and 'Gurukam"). 4. Ratekula (gentle Cast). All these cast should perform their duties as the emperor King Alaka had enacted and enforced all rituals and norms which should be followed in i. social occasions, i;e,. birth of child, rituals at the occasions of puberty of girls, at pre-negotiations of marriages, at marriage, at deaths, and so on, and ii. rituals and norms at religious ceremony, systems of paying homage to Gods, systems of worship to Gods, systems of offering and sacrificing to Gods, use of 'mantrams, verses, chantings, and systems of communication with Gods, systems of worship, paying homage, offering and sacrifiszng to in written books.
The cast system was formed according to the social responsibilities of the subject, but economic activity performances were not adopted as operational mechanism, as it had been in operation in Hinduism in ancient days. In the perfect lines of the Lanka cast system, individuals in any cast had right to follow and exercise any duty or act of "Gurukarmakula', especially acts of exercising indigenous medical practises and superhuman therapeutic practises. an appointed gangs of servants, appointed by the King, in all four cast categories to serve to the royal family based community, to provide all services bound to each cast, and they were granted many more fringe benefits, and given more land for cultivation for their own food security, in their clans.
The "Gurukula" or 'Gurukarmakula" and "kapukula", the clan leaders had been enforced to fulfill rituals and annual offerings to the Devils and Gods, as under customary bondage, as given guidelines to the Casts.
"Dola" and "Pideni" are practice by the "Vedaralas" and "kapuralas" even today. It is an annual offering system to the devils and gods as had prescribed by the grand fathers of the clan. "Wadiyakun Pideema" (offerings to "Wadi Yakka)" is another system of offering to gods and devils by the "vedaralas", which has been followed by generation to generation.
'Waddi Yakka" is considered as Devil, and some occasions as God, and it is generally accepted by the vanni community, that Waddi Yakka is in charge of all activities of indigenous medicine, and other medical superstitions. I have seen, every home of such practitioners, there was a small sack of paddy, hanging over the under roof, and before such practitioners depart from home for such medical practice, he let blow of scent powder to fire matcup andlet smell smokes to that paddy sack, and pay homage to Waddi Yakka, and pray to attend to divine power to his practice to cure the patient.
I have seen several times how this function of pay homage and offering of foods to Waddi Yakka, specially in 1957-1960, when my grand father as a indigenous medical practitioner, fulfilled this customary bondage to Gods and devils.
Such practitioners, i.e., Vedarala (indigenous medical practitioner, and Kapurala or gurunanse who practice as witch doctors/vedaratas of '\"yanthra/Manthra" have to once a year, according to traditionally has been shedulled, pay homage and offer foods to Waddi Yakka, as it has been a customary bondage with Gods and good devils. If they failed or refused to attend to this annual ceremony of homage, that family would be under the pressure of evils. For this homage and ceremony, the household should prepare since morning to collect necessary goods to cook seven curry meals and bowl of rice. First they get down the sack of paddy that was offered to God which was hung over the under roof, and add more paddy enough to that amount and mill the paddy by only male, and prepare rice for cooking. Next one elder go to wood to hunt, and he come back with sufficient meat of an animal. For this offering should seven kind of meals to be prepared with fish and meat. One person go to village tank to catch fish and he comes back with sufficient fish. Others go to farm land and collect some vegetables and leaves. Cooking starts at 3.00 Clock evening, and food is prepared at 5.30 evening. A number of families takepart at this function. Fist they pack rice in larger clay vessel, and tie it to one end of strong rod, and they pack all the meals in clay made vessels and tie on the other end of the rod. Then, they start the procedure of offering, as once they depart the house, one person take all the bulk on rod and keep it on his shoulder, and he first start to go, and others follow him. They come to nearby pitch near the shrub, or adjacent abandoned fruit garden, and keep the packs of food on the ground carefully. Then they prepare a temporary altar/yahana for the Gods, and prepare "Gottu" posts before it. Then they offer food to first waddi yakka' and then to other Gods and Devils they worship. at this movement offerings are done by Gurunnanse, or by kapurala, and he begins pray Gods and Devils, it is called 'yathikava" a chanting of prayers consisted a variety of verses, manthras and charms. After Gurunanse completed his all duties, all the people who accompanied to this function sit round and eat food. having completed all rituals at this stage, people come back home of Vedarala, to enjoy shooing bitle as a customary norm. Gurunanse ask vedarala to take back other residue food at home, and share with other neighbours.
 |
| Offerings to Customary Devils at a 'Shanthikarma' Event at Home of the Patient |
 |
| Dr. D. Tennakoon |
 |
| Gurunanse Charming a Thread to Patient |
The details of the cultural features, law systems, state of the knowledge in art and science, and the systems of use of supernatural powers for the benefit of human survival are were passed from generation to generation until the mid part of the 20th century, but with rapid acculturation and economic modernization, the the systems of knowledge flow was weakened, and now it is a question to restore this knowledge.
Vannithammenawe "Grunnanse" was the only man who knew about ancient vanniculture, and "Yakka Regimes" exxisted before Christ. Gurunnanse's name was "Welathe Rala", but he was known as 'Gurunnanse'. In 1920s and 1930s he used to visit in some village areas to attent to 'Shanthikarma'. In this time period he has come to our village and used to talk with my grand father and other elders until morning. The used to put a fire heap, or Om, on the front yard of the home, and they discussed some matters of supernatural powers of spirits and devils, and the systems of ancient knowledge of 'manthras' and magical powers used by ancient 'yakka culture'. The Grunnanse had uncovered the old stories interrelated with vanniculture. Vannithammanawe Gurunnanse had a number of thovil books, a poetry volume, which contained prayer poems written on palm leaves. This contained series of poem volumes, that they sing with udakki and drum beating until morning, to pay homage and offerings to Gods and passionated Devils. These poems include the phrasing of ancient gods with their glory and power. These books written on palm leaves include the history of that gods.
During the times Alaka Empire, the art and science knowledge had been upgraded up to maximum level, and human knew how to use supernatural spirits and their power in adventures of naval military endeavours, and how to ride wooden aircraft, building of vast dams across rivers, knowing of secrets of knowledge of medicine, and use of manthrams, etc.,.
Alaka Emperor had seven heroes, who were more powerful and adamant in wars; they were:Girimukkha, Kumbhandha, Aiyana, Vadigarashtra, Girikala, Kambili, and Singalukha. He had valiant and seven brave Commanders, i.e, Nagaraksha, Neelakhandu, Girinaga, Bhattaraksha, pandukala, Jeewhatta, and Virupaksha who helped him to control the islands under him. King involved with international trade business with his naval militants, specially trading of gems, tusks, spices, and medical herbal stuffs. He exported these items to central Asian regions, to Persia, and to Egypt, and to Mediterranean countries, through Red Sea to Egypt, and redistributed from Egypt to other countries. He employed Commander Nagaraksha to collect herbal medicine from 'Nilgiri Mountains" in India. He collected more valuable medical plants from Nilgirimountain region and replanted in Lanka and in other islands.
King Alaka had married Queen "Mandakkini", and she was the most beautiful woman at that time, and even Gods and devathavas respected her. She had learned all aspects and fields of 'Devadharma" (Art of the Divine Power). This age, there was a rule issued by King, that all the members of the Royal family and the all higher level military commanders and, heroes assumed as advisers and ministers to learn and practice "Devadharma" and systems of meditation and communication with Gods, devils and other universal spirits..
The Queen Mandagni Had seven sons and one daughter, and her name was, Prince Anga Devi. That name was given to her because she was beautiful like a Manel Flower, and attracted by Gods. She did not married, but used live with God price Viduraj, and God prince Vuduraj helped King to secure the Southern ocean boundary of Lanka.
The seven sons of King were entrusted with ruling of other islands of the empire.
It is widely known that, the "Hela Medicine" science was at a highest place during the ancient 'yakka" regimes. The system of decomposing chemicals of herbals and making oral medicine was practiced at that time. The system of extracting herbal chemicals and making medicine from that chemical; and keeping that chemicals for a long time as they are based to coconut oil or gingili oil [sesame oil] by heating. They had developed various branches of medicine, i.e., general, child [bala vedakama], bones [kadum bindum], eye [as vedakama], head [kapala vedakama], poison [sharpa vedakama], and nerves [anshabhaga], and 'shanthikarma' [psychiatric].
DR. DHARMADASA TENNAKOON
[B.A; PG DIPLOMA; M.A; Ph.D]SOCIAL SCIENTIST
[EX. SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW AT HARTI, COLOMBO, SRI LANKA]
ADDRESS: 27/6 MENIK WATTA, KALALGODA, PANNIPITIYA, SRI LANKA
EMAIL: Teleohone: +94 72 865 8467
dingiri50@gmail.com
ddtkonn48@yahoo.com
______________________________________________________________________________________
I HAVE COVERED MY HIGHER EDUCATION IN SEVERAL FIELDS OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
*B.A. in Geography, [second class honours], University of Ceylon, 1972;
*Post Graduate Diploma in "Land Settlement and Development", University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, 1977;
*Field Certificate on "Jordan River Valley Development Project", University of Jordan, Jordan, 1986;
* M.A. in Rural Social Development, University of Reading, U.K ,1987;
*Certificate of "Social Science Research Methodology", University of Peradeniya, Sri lanka, 1980;
*Ph.D. in Development Studies, Deakin University, Australia, 1996;
I have published a book on " Dimensions of Rural Poverty In Sri Lanka", HARTI, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2000.
At present, I am reading on several fields i.e., Freedom/Liberty, Profiles of Poverty among working class people, Folklore in Sri Lanka, Peace and Order, and Interlinks of Economic Development and Social Change in Developing Countries.
I expect comments of readers of my articles, your kind cooperation may improve the quality of my writing.
Thanks
Dr. Dharmadasa Tennakoon
dingiri50@gmail.com
ddtkonn48@yahoo.com
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