Tonight’s the night...

Some New Year customs:

There are some customs which are followed only in certain parts of the country today. In days gone by they would have been followed islandwide. With urbanisation and other influences they have faded away in most areas.

First pot of water

This is a custom still followed in lower Uva, and in parts of the Ratnapura district like Godakawela. It may be followed in other areas too. My informants were from Moneragala and Godakawela.

A few white flowers and a coin wrapped in a white piece of cloth are put into the well and a pot of water is drawn. This is known as the first pot of water drawn in the new year. This is kept until the next year. The water from last year is put back into the well. Some will keep the fresh water in a bottle.

This custom is called lindath ekka ganudenu or linda alavi karanava (transaction with the well).

First offering of food

A small basket-like ‘altar’ is made with tender coconut leaves and set up on four strong sticks in the garden. Early in the morning on New Year’s day the head of the household will place on the altar a few sweetmeats in a coconut shell or on a plantain leaf and light a lamp. This is an offering to the ‘Avurudu Kumaraya’.

In the area around Godakawela this offering (in a coconut shell) is placed in the crook of a ‘ruk attana’ tree. In Yatiyantota the offering is placed in a winnowing fan (kulla) and left somewhere in the open. It is said to be an offering to ‘Mihidum Meni’ ‘mist mother.’

The first guest

Most people are particular as to who the first guest is. Often a special guest is invited to partake of the New Year repast(meal). This guest is someone who is doing well in his/her profession or in business and is considered lucky.

In farming areas, this guest (usually a male) goes first to the barn or store house where the paddy is stacked, and taking from his pocket a small packet he has brought, throws it far into the barn.

This packet contains a few grains of paddy, a piece of turmeric, a piece of ‘goraka’, a dried chillie and a coin wrapped in a piece of white cloth. In days gone by it used to be a copper coin. This is for good luck and prosperity in the year ahead. After that he sits down to enjoy the sweetmeats spread out on the table.

Greeting the parents or paying obeisance

Offering a sheaf of betel to parents is done before sitting for the first meal. The father usually give each child a coin wrapped in a betel leaf.

- S.S