Walli yak Mangalaya – By L.B.Senaratne (The above photograph removed over forty years ago was the original ‘Walli Yak’ mask which was a hereditary mask of the dancer. After he died the son took over, he is alleged to have sold the mask. It is believed that this mask is now in a European country, but safe and sound ) Who said that the Kandy Esala ritual concludes with the ” Day Perahera ” or procession. A ritual is enacted to ward off the evil eye of the Nilames, dancers, drummers and above all the elephants who paaded the streets of Kandy causing no harm to anyone. Perhpahs this is the only ritual where people and animals mingle together without harm. The ritual enacefd was once a a secret ritual but now it is followed by devotees that this ritual brings them protection. The ritual is enacted at Sri Maha Vishnu Devale or the abode of God Vishnu.. ...
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Kohomba Kankariya – The sociology of a Kandyan ritual-BY SARATH AMUNUGAMA Source:Sundayobserver A review Dr. Sarath Amunugama’s latest publication titled Kohomba Kankariya – the sociology of a Kandyan ritual, is a welcome addition to the limited number of research publications available to the local reader on this religious ritual which has been quite familiar to generations of people of the Kandyan region. The author who had earlier published a brief essay (Kohomba Kankariya haa Sinhala Santhikarma ratawa) in April 1968 on the subject in a Sinhala periodical devoted to arts, at the time when he was a busy bureaucrat; has now in retirement authored this new publication with interesting details and interpretations regarding this fascinating ritual. Kohomba Kankariya which is the most elaborate of the Kandyan rituals, according to legend, had been performed to cure King Panduwas who had been afflicted with a mysterious ailment. God-King Sakra to whom ...
