Life in A Sinhalese Village

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the ritual practices common in Sinhalese villages, specifically, the art of "devil dancing". The paper points out the Sinhalese respect and fear for the unknown and abstract. The paper looks at the disparity in formal education systems, the role of family in Sinhalese society and the contested role of women.

Outline:
Ritual Practices-The Devil Dance
Formal Education
Kinship
The Independent Woman

From the Paper:

"A large majority of the people of Sri Lanka pratice Buddhism or a synthesis of Buddhism and Hindusim. But throughout history, folk cults stemmed from cultural traditions with beings and deities of supernatural powers that influence day-to-day lives of the people have also been integrated into the Buddhist practices of Sinhalese villages (Baker 39). A great deal of emphasis is placed upon the complex and elaborate rituals needed to pacify evil spirits and to appease the benevolent deities. Although this practice is not condoned by the Buddhist temples, there is a large following of these rituals, especially in the Sinhalese villages."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Baker, Victoria. A Sinhalese Village in Sri Lanka: Coping with Uncertainty. London: Wadsworth, 1997.

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