What are the cultural traditions in Sri Lanka?

What are some traditions in Sri Lanka?

• Answer:

  Customs and Lifestyle Diet and Eating Rice is the staple in the Sri Lankan diet and is the basic food for all meals. Each ethnic group in Sri Lanka has its own repertoire of dishes, but each has also borrowed from the others over time; thus, Sri Lankan cuisine is a combination of all the different types. Several different curries are popular, from mild to very spicy. Sri Lankans typically consume little meat, but eat large amounts of pulses (peas and beans) and nuts. A main meal usually begins with rice or bread, followed by a curry or dhal (lentils) and a vegetable such as cabbage or carrots. Favourite foods include pol sambol, which is scraped and spiced coconut, and katta sambol, which is a very spicy mixture of fried onions and chillies. Cakes and sweetmeats are also an integral part of the country’s diet. Tea is served with most meals and as a refreshment. The different religions of the country play a large role in determining what people eat. Those who adhere strictly to Buddhist doctrines do not eat flesh of any kind. Some Buddhists include fish or eggs in their diet. Many Hindus are vegetarians; those who do eat meat do not eat beef. Muslims do not eat pork. Recreation The people of Sri Lanka enjoy many sports introduced by the British, including football, rugby, and cricket. Tennis, badminton, swimming, fishing, and horse racing are also popular, and people like to play chess, bridge, and other table games. Attending cinemas showing European-language and Sri Lankan films is a popular pastime. Sri Lanka has a long tradition in the dramatic arts, and people enjoy both live and puppet theatre. Holidays and Celebrations Because the Buddhist calendar is based on the moon’s phases, every Poya Dawasa, or full-moon day, is a holiday. In addition, each major religion has at least one holiday that is also a national holiday. For example, the country marks Id ul-Fitr, the Islamic feast at the end of the month-long fast of Ramzan (Ramadan) and Id ul-Adha, the Islamic Feast of the Sacrifice. Easter (including Good Friday) and Christmas (25 December) are celebrated by the Christians. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is a Hindu celebration. Many other religious holidays honour the Buddha or Hindu deities. The Tamil Thai-Pongal Day marks the return of the sun after a month of “evil days”; the sun brings a new period of goodwill. The Sinhalese and Tamil New Year is usually celebrated in April with great fanfare and rejoicing. During New Year festivities, Sri Lankans participate in a number of activities, from indoor games just for women to outdoor sports such as elephant racing or wrestling. Political holidays include National Day (4 February), May Day (1 May), and National Heroes’ Day (22 May).