Tapping into tradition
Yet another notable contribution by scientist Asoka De Silva, this work builds on his earlier book, ‘Technological Innovations in Ancient Sri Lanka’. It is meant for the general reader and even enriched with over 100 popular folk songs.
The most important aspect of this work is its premise of “Live and Let Live” which traditional Sri Lankans have followed throughout the centuries, grounded in the view that sustainability has been at the heart of indigenous knowledge so unlike the now dying Western view of Man subjugating Nature for his own ends.
Local knowledge passed down through generations emphasised the symbiotic relationship between man and his environment including among other things, reliance on the concept of ahimsa or non-injury to other living beings, so much so that even birds who would have otherwise taken their pickings of grain crops from the fields were allotted a special section for their needs known as “Kurulu Paluwa”.
The author has shown how the time-tested and rich body of traditional wisdom and knowledge that had evolved through a long process of
Indigenous Knowledge, Traditions, Culture and Lifestyle Practices in Ancient Sri Lanka by Asoka De Silva
Published by the National Science Foundation and Vijitha Yapa Publications.
Price: Rs. 3500 Reviewed by Asiff Hussein
observation, enrichment and refinement had implications for medicine, agricultural practices and skilful management of water resources to conservation of forest cover and germplasm from which future generations would benefit immensely. Also interesting are the accounts of the traditional ways of pest and weed control and the illustrations of different types of paddy field channels by which water was conveyed to the fields like the Umbrella, Arrow and Rising Sun.
The biodiversity thus nurtured led to the preservation of a variety of rice types. There were short-term rice varieties like haeta-da-vee which helped tide over periodic water crises during times of drought and longterm varieties like Ma-vee, which were very nutritious and offered to fasting persons like Buddhist monks who did not take night meals. The high carbohydrate Kanni Murunga imparted more energy when consumed and thus served the needs of men toiling in the fields while Heenati which generated more milk with high sugar content was fed to lactating mothers.
Importantly, the work also adds to our traditional medicinal lore approached from a scientific basis pioneered by Dr. C.G. Uragoda and builds on it. The traditional treatment of preventing Tetanus by a draught of Venivel, inactivating the high histamine content of certain foods by the addition of goraka (gamboge) and murunga (drumstick) leaves, administering the ash of the bark of the Kumbuk tree to pregnant women to meet their calcium requirement, treatment of chicken pox with a bed or cushion of Kohomba or Margosa leaves, disinfecting floors where home deliveries took place with turmeric all have a scientific basis.
The work also deals with traditional livelihood practices including livestock management and treatment of diseased animals as well as inland fishing techniques.
Somewhat out of the scope of this work are long forgotten indoor games like Gal-keliya (stone game), Polkooru-Keliya (coconut-pin game) and Hat-Diviyan-Keliya (seven leopards game) as well as combative sports like Mallava Pora (wrestling), Maguru Pora (mace combat) and Jala-Pora (water fights).
A must read for all those interested in the traditions of a once great nation whose future could take inspiration from its past.