10 – 12 years
The Esala Perahera
The Esala Perahera in Kandy is one of the oldest and grandest of all Buddhist festivals celebrated in Sri Lanka. It features dancers, jugglers, musicians, fire-breathers and lavishly decorated elephants. This is held in Esala (July or August) which is the month that is believed to commemorate the first teaching given by the Buddha after he attained Enlightenment.
The perahera lasts for ten days while various festivals can be witnessed right throughout. The Sinhalese term ‘perahera’ means a parade of musicians, dancers, singers, acrobats and various other performers accompanied by a large number of caparisoned tuskers and elephants parading the streets in celebration of a religious event. It is celebrated to honour the Sacred Tooth Relic and the four guardian Gods Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama and Goddess Pattini. After the Kandyan Kingdom fell to the British in 1815, the custody of the Tooth Relic was handed over to the Buddhist clergy. The priests of Maha Vishnu Devale (Vishnu Temple) recite the prayers to all the gods.
Aaliyah Azam (11 years)
Harrow Int. College, Beruwala
13 – 15 years
Sri Lanka’s Indigenous People
Our indigenous people before known as ‘Veddhas’ but now popular as ‘Aadhi Vaasi’ were born as a natural tribe, native to early history of then Ceylon.
This special tribe has a great historical value and record as an extraordinary people. They are indeed a hallmark of our prestigious heritage.
They have lived a challenging life in the thick jungles, among wild beasts, drinking bees honey with roasted venison as food. They have hunted deer, sambar, wild boar etc., using their traditional weapons – bow and arrows with a short axe used for self-protection which they carry even up to date as a part of their traditional dress. In fact their traditional vedhi dance wearing the olden dress of twigs with leaves has become so popular that it is included as an item of cynosure in almost all school concerts.
But now, not only their traditional dress, language, culture has gradually changed. Their present chieftan Uruvarigelage Vanniye Aththo was a special invitee for the Randoli Esala Perahera to witness the great festival in Kandy. The tribal children are given all facilities in Dambana, Mahiyanagana to improve their education. Hence now among this tribe there are graduates, foreign employees and even a talented soft-ball cricket team.
They are considered as Sri Lankan nationals eligible to vote at government elections and granted all social and civic privileges.
Neyali Abeyratna (15 years)
De Mazenod College, Kandana
