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..
The ritual ” Walli Yak Mangalya” is, the finale of the Kandy Esala Maha Perahera or more the ritual enacted in priase of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha, enshrined at the Sri Dalada Maligawa the Palladium of the Buddhist world.
This riual enacted at the Kandy Maha Vishnuj Devale Walli Yak Mangalaya, has its origins at Aluthnuwara – the abode of God Dedimunda.. A Devale at Mawanella off the Kandhy – Colombo road.at the turn off a sleepy town of Hingula.
Walli Yak Mangalya, is performed for seven days at the forecourt of the Devale. This Ritual is enacted a day after the Day Perahera
At this ritual on the seventh day, young men and women who know of its existence of the gaherf to make vows by tying them on the ‘ tail ‘ of the Ves dancers. This is mostly done by unmarried couples and mothers to give their daughters in marriage before the next Walli Yak Mangalya. These vows are fulfilled in seventy per cent of the instances. But this is not the purpse, excedpt to ward off the evil eye from those who participated inthe Esala ritual.
The drummers and dancere for this ritual are from Aluthnuwara Devale- the Devale aroond 17 kilometers from Kandhy in the district of Mawanella. The dancers and drummers who perorm in this ritual in Kandy, do not perform at the Kandy Esala Maha Perahera as a rule, because their own Perahera is at Aluthnuwara. Their presence in Kandy is because once the deity of Maha Vishnu and the effigy of Queen Sunethra was at Alutnuwara unt King Senerat broughtit to Kandy and enshrined it in this Devale or the abode of the God.
The ritual is entwined in legend and folklore and part of the ritual is borrowed from Kohomba Kankariya. This ritual is believed to be the oldest form of ceremonial dance known also as ‘ Kohomba Yakkum ‘. The origin of this ritual is attributed to King Panduvasdeva’s time. Kohomba Kankariya was performed out of love and compassion for King Parakrama Bahu VI of Kotte, according to J.E. Sederman, a well known person on rituals.
For seven days the dancers perform at the Devale of Maha Vishnu, first by tying a young coconut flower over the performance area. They call for ‘ Gara Yakka ” a semi demon who was once a Prince who married his own siser and therby the King banished them to the wilds.
On the seventh day, the flower is brought down and then the dancers dance in an anti-clockwise direction thereby the inflorsence is droped off the flower.. The people who witness the ritual ,pick the coconut inflorescence and take them away to be tied in their homes until the next Walli Yak performance.
On the seventh day, Gara Yakka enters, (he has been summoned for seven days) and is offered Kiribath ( milk rice ), oil cakes, water and coins. They are offered for him to depart in peace.
The astrologers who had seen the horoscope of the Prince had warned the King and Queen, that he would have a sister of exceptional beauty and he would desire for her. They wanted the Prince to be sent away from the country. But the King sent him ot his brother also a King.
Theer It is said that he became a priest who gathered powers to fly. But, when he saw his sister ‘Giri Devi’, he is said to have been unable to resist her and both lived as husband and wife. P.Wirz in ‘ Exorcisms and art of healing’ gives a number of instances connected with Gara Yakka and Giri Devi.
Gara Yakka is reputed to have a powerful appetite and it is said that he was ordered by Goddess Patthini to clean the home of God Kataragama, for Goddess Patthini to arrive, for the wedding.
Gara Yakka had done so, devouring all the furniture and all else and still scolded God Kataragama for not giving him enough to eat. It is this Gara Yakka that is called for at Maha Vishnu Devale to ward off the evil eye and subsequently departs in peace.
So ends the Gara Yakkum ‘ ritual and also concluded the Kandy Esala Perahera or ritual,which was fantastic with 97 elephants, whch included 17 Tuskers- the best in the country.
The conduct of this ritual is in the hands of the Baanayke Nilame of Maha Vishnu Devale and alsoof God Dedimunda Devale at Aluthnuwras Mahendra Ratwatte
The entry of ” Gara Yakka ” and the dancers questing him as to whether he would depart in peace after he is offered his prey.
Devotees tye vows to bring them justice.love, and exectgations when they woudl fulfil the vows at the next Walli Yak Mangalaya.
