Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

Traditions revisited
The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is just around the corner. How does the younger generation feel about all the traditions involved? Vidushi Seneviratne takes a closer look

Traditions… customs… values… Whatever you want to call it, these are aspects in our culture, and upholding them are only meant for the older generation, right? Well… you just might be surprised at the response…
With the Sinhala and Tamil New Year just around the corner, I spoke to a cross section of young people from various backgrounds, on the importance of this traditional festival in the Sri Lankan calendar. Are these traditions dying with the older generation? As young people, do they see it as important? Will they keep it alive as adults, and maybe teach their kids about it? The responses to these questions, and their thoughts on this significant event were far from typical, and quite impressive as a matter of fact.

Part of life:
“I feel that traditions related to the New Year are dying with the older generation, and most young people don’t really care about them that much. But we should continue them, especially because it gives us memories, and at the end of the day is a big part of our lives,” says Aloka* (18). She adds that as an adult she would definitely try to teach her kids these traditions, but it all depends on the lifestyle they choose to live. “Already everyone is wrapped up in their own work and routines, so there’s very little time to devote to things like this, but as an adult, I would definitely try to keep it alive.”

Not indifference:
“I feel very strongly about these traditions. Things like these remind you that you have roots,” says Dinidu (21). He explains that his family follows most of the traditions during the New Year. “Other than the hisa thel gama (anointing with oil), we do almost everything else. Of course, we improvise with some of the practices and boil the kiribath on the gas cooker, instead of the traditional hearth and so on, but we follow the basic beliefs.”

According to Dinidu, the reason behind the younger generation’s lack of interest in these traditions is not about indifference. “It’s not that these traditions are not important. Most young people just don’t have the time to get involved. But this depends a great deal on your parents, especially during the initial stages. If parents instill these traditions in you when you’re around ten or 11 years of age, and at an age where you can perceive what’s important, then young people will uphold these beliefs whether parents want to or not.”

Living culture:
“These traditions related to the New Year are very important in my opinion, and I feel that they must be upheld. It keeps the spirit and the culture alive,” says Arjun (18), adding that most of his peers share his sentiments. His family follows all the customs, from wearing new clothes, keeping to the auspicious times, to going to the temple and having an oil bath with the herbal ingredients given at the temple. “I will continue these traditions as an adult, and pass them on to my kids.”

“We follow almost all the traditions during the New Year. We give bulath to our elders and worship them, keep to the auspicious times and do the exchanging of money, which is a favourite for obvious reasons!” says Nilanga (23). But on a personal level, she feels she follows them simply out of tradition. “I’ve been doing it all my life, and I don’t particularly like doing it or dislike it. Every country has its own beliefs and traditions, and this is a part of ours.” She would teach her kids all of what she knows, and will definitely keep these traditions alive. “After all, it gives you a sense of belonging doesn’t it?”

Most people think that the traditional New Year is celebrated exclusively by Buddhists and Hindus. But on the contrary, religion is not a factor for most to get involved in the festival.

“We follow most traditions like the nonagathaya (fasting till the auspicious time dawns), says Dilini (20), who is a Christian. “My father is a Buddhist, but that’s not the reason we follow these traditions. It’s more for cultural reasons.” She adds that if her relatives are in Sri Lanka for the holidays, they make sure that all the customs are followed – even the hisa thel gama, because her cousins like to know them. And as an adult will she continue these traditions? “Definitely. When I have my own kids, I will teach them all of it.”

“I see these traditions as extremely important, simply because it’s so easy for people to get caught up with their work and the rush of life, and forget things like this. Also, we get a couple of days as holidays for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. So why not use it for what it’s meant for?”

Necessity?
And when it comes to young people keeping traditions alive, of course there are the more sceptical ones as well.
“In my family, these traditions related to the New Year are dying with my parents. We used to do everything from keeping to the auspicious times, dressing in the recommended colours and so on, but I haven’t been a part of it for the last three years, since I was not in the country,” says Nevanthi (22). Not seeing it as a necessity of life, she admits that she got involved in it merely for the sake of tradition. “When we were younger, it was fun and I enjoyed all the traditions. But now I see it as pointless, and I really don’t see myself making my kids follow all of it either.”

Chinthaka (18) too, shares this opinion. “These traditions will probably die within the next couple of generations. On a personal level, I don’t know most of it, and while I feel it’s important to know them, I wouldn’t really go out of my way to find out.” At home, his mother follows most of the traditions, and he participates, because it’s done.

He feels that his lack of interest doesn’t have anything to do with the traditions itself, but is just his personal opinion. “Knowing these customs is important I guess, because it’s what makes us Sri Lankan. So the fact that I don’t know much of it really is not something I’m proud of!”

So with the present generation still quite adamant to keep the customs of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year alive, Sri Lanka’s traditions seem to have hope of survival for many more years to come.

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