April, is the month of prosperity where cuckoo birds herald the dawn of a New Year for the Sinhalese and Tamils of Sri Lanka. On the 13th of April, according to astrology, the sun journeys from Pisces to Aries. Between the crossings of these two is a neutral period called nonagathe. It is an hourly period between the New Year and the old year where people refrain from all work, material pursuits and engage solely in religious observances. The hindus would conduct their pooja, a ceremony which aims in seeking blessings for the new year and to thank the Gods for the previous year. The woman of the house sets up the kumbam which is a silver pot with coconut on top adorned with mango leaves on the bottom. The kumbam is offered to Gods along with fruits like mangoes, jack, bananas and sweets.
Rituals begin by lighting the hearth facing a designated direction and all gather around to witness milk boiling and pouring out from the rim which serves as a sign of prosperity and endless joy, followed by the Sinhalese preparing milk rice and Tamils preparing pongal rice (a sweetened rice) from the boiled milk. A table of sweetmeats including milk rice, kavum, aasmi, kokis, aluva, bananas, keseri, wellawehum, pongal rice and several other food items are opened by the oldest male of the house by feeding each family member a piece of milk rice. The unity and togetherness of the family is marked as all the family members sit together and partake of the avurudu table. This is referred to ahara anubavaya followed by ganudenu kirima (financial transaction).
A well never runs dry, hence, the first financial transaction is performed by dropping a coin wrapped in a clean cloth into a well and a bucket of water is drawn and stored in a bottle which will be renewed next year. This serves as a blessing for plentiful finances for the rest of the year. Then, the youngest members of the family worship the elders offering leaves of betel and elders would give money in return. Tamils call it the Kai Visesham money and believes that it brings luck to the youngsters.
Hisathel gaama is the next ritual. It is the anointing of one’s body and mind. The head of the family or the chief of the temple applies oil (herbal mixture) on top of the head using a betel leaf while chanting gatha. This ritual is believed to bless people with good health and longevity. All these rituals begin at auspicious times set by astrologers at the beginning of the year. The last ritual for the day is leaving to work at the auspicious time. Some people engage in an activity related to their stream of work at this time or step out looking at a designated direction.
The Sinhala and tamil new year does not end there. Family members exchange gifts and share Sweetmeats with other families. All the relatives get together for the most anticipated moment, to engage in avurudu games! Some of the games include Kotta Pora (pillow fighting) where two people fight with pillows using only one hand, seated on a bar held above the ground as they balance themselves. Kana mutti bindeema -breaking pots filled with water by a blindfolded person, tug of war, climbing the greasy pole, Banis Kaema - bun eating contest without use of hands,etc. Thus, ends the traditions and rituals of the New Year marking unity, prosperity and peace!
Rtr. Tashya Wickramarachchi
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