Sinhala New Year - a celebration of life

The Sunday Observer in an interview with reputed scholar Professor J. B. Disanayaka examined the richness in meaning embedded in the Sinhala New Year's varied rituals.

by Afreeha Jawad

The sun's movement from Pisces to Aries is an Astro/zodiacal belief and is not even remotely connected with scientific reasoning. Infact it is we who move as the earth revolves on its own axis. Yet the sun's movement from Pisces to Aries is taken to be the cause for the celebration of the Sinhala and Tamil new year. Such beliefs more importantly denote the psyche of that particular ethnic whole.

What these beliefs and cultural practices convey is certainly not to be treated lightly as it speaks of the richness of thought that is deep seated in that ethnic fraternity - regretfully now under the devouring influence of externalities.

One could only hope for these cultural practices and traditions to remain intact despite the grave threat to its extinction following the forces of globalisation and the ruthless socio/econ/political order making headway globally.

Significantly, not to be overlooked is the fact that the Sinhala people prior to the advent of alien forces had the richness of wisdom - no doubt an outcome of whatever they encountered as tradition and culture. They indeed were a simple discerning people, contented and accommodative living upto the noble ideals Buddhism enunciated.

In his parley with the Sunday Observer, Prof. Disanayaka said that the celebration of the Sinhala New Year as a national festival is not possible as it was only the Sinhalese who believed in many Gods. They are polytheists and one cannot expect monotheists to celebrate it. Thus the celebration of the new year cannot be a national event.

The remembrance of the sun and moon gods not to forget Paththini - the fertility Godess apply only to the Sinhalese and Tamils. In fact the songs that accompany games - an integral part of the new year, constantly remembers Paththini. For instance her name is often repeated in songs while on the swing.

However, as for the celebration's date Prof. Disanayaka is not without logical presentation.

"How can a new year begin at the middle of a month? The dawn of the Sinhala new year should be on the first day of Bak".

However, he recalled how Robert Knox's writings reveal its celebration around March 29.

The philosophical richness of this age old celebration was evident as Prof. Disanayaka explained all what entails it. The sun's movement from Pisces to Aries at the crossing when the sun is neither here nor there is the Noneketey period (wrongly pronounced Nonegathey)

This ambiguity period is rather dangerous and people seek protection from all impending evil. The temple thus becomes a retreat where people engage in seeking merit. This then is the first half of Nonaketey or Punyakaalaya.

To the Buddhist mind significantly the offering of flowers and lighting of lamps are of two fold importance. One reveals life's impermanence, the other signifies dispelling of the darkness of ignorance and heralding the light of knowledge.

It even brought to writer mind the opportunity the Sinhala New Year affords in mind enrichment. This ritual is not to be taken on surface value but is at its best when explored. The next half of Noneketey is spent in playing all kinds of games.

Spending the Noneketey period seeking merit and play as understood by the writer facilitates intra-personal and inter-personal communication not to forget the opportunity it provides in connecting up with family, friends and neighbours.

In one, the family as a whole go to temple but merit seeking is not similar to congregational prayer. Individual meditation is resorted to for a higher purpose. In playing games one establishes links with the community and makes up for whatever past bickerings.

Noteworthy is the two pronged nature of seeking merit and play that emphasises a levelled playing field. Caste and class at least momentarily are dumped. All are seated on the ground. Not a single chair is around which messages the universality of human existence - the moral collectivity of human integrity and wholesomeness devoid of misunderstandings and man made divides.

Even the father, yesteryear's authoritative figure sat on the floor with his children taking part in these games. As a result, equity becomes the key theme - the familial and social equity that follows are indeed role models for peace.

In all these games and singing one establishes links with the past. Traditional literature and folk lore are brought to the forefront. Thus we see the emergence of a historical link, apart from whatever links up the family and social entity.

Water, fire and milk - the three most important fertility elements for life's continuity are carefully avoided during 'Noneketey'. The new year breakfast meal is 'Kiribath' (milk rice) prepared on a new hearth - the rice itself being from the newly harvested crop.

This is followed by a transaction with the well. A copper coin is dropped into the well and that was how the human body got its year round requirement of copper.

Basing one's thoughts on Prof. Disanayaka's explanation of these three main fertility elements this writer fathomed its importance in relation to life's wholesome aspect as well when put alongside the new year's meditative and playtime existence not to forget the oil anointing ceremony as well.

Houses are cleaned, new clothes worn followed by visits to friends and relations along with the exchange of gifts.

Listening to his immaculate description of the New Year's main activities this writer delved into the philosophy behind the whole exercise of nearly a week's duration and concluded how this ancient annual event is a great celebration of life itself which has in its rituals the remembrance of man's material and spiritual well-being.

A community's finest tapestry revolves round its cultural heritage.

While one cannot resist the winds of change, let today's Sinhalese take their forebears as role models - those simple, rustic, so called illiterate folk whose wit, wisdom and magnanimity is emulation worthy.

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