Sabaragamu Dances (Sabaragamuwa Natum)
The dances are usually performed in Ratnapura, relating to the worshipping of God Saman much revered by local people. There are 32 main dances in Sabaragamuwa Style.
Devil Dances
Devil Dances at the turn of the twentieth century.
Mask of the demon Maha Sohona used in the Tovil Healing Ritual in Sri Lanka
The "Devil Dances" are an attempt to respond to the common belief that certain ailments are caused by unseen hands and that they should be chased away for the patient to get cured. If an individual or a family is not doing well, the village-folk believe that it's because that person or the family is being harassed by unseen hands. A 'Tovil' ceremony is the answer.
The 'Tovil' can be a simple ritualistic ceremony at home restricted to family and immediate neighbours or involving the whole village like the 'Gam-Maduva' or the 'Devol Maduva' which is closely linked to the worship of gods. Masked dancers take part in at least two of the well-known 'Tovil' ceremonies referred to as the 'Maha Sohon Samayama' and the 'Gara Yakuma'. The mention of 'Maha Sohona' frightens the people since he is believed to be the demon of the graveyards.
The performer disguises himself as a bear and wears a mask and a dress to resemble one. Often the 'Tovil' involves the 'Sanni' dances where all the dancers wear masks. The 'Daha Ata Sanniya' refers to eighteen ailments with a demon being responsible for each one of them.
Dancers wearing masks depicting different characters take part in processions while at certain ceremonies. Of later origin are the masks worn by children and teenagers at street performances during Vesak. Popularly known as 'Olu Bakko' for the simple reason that oversize masks are worn, these performances keep the younger folk, in particular, entertained.
The simple version of the Devil Dance ritual usually starts in the morning with the building of the stage, decorations and preparation of the costumes. The performers build an intricate stage before which the dancing commences. The stage consists of a wall made of freshly cut natural materials such as coconut palm tree and banana tree trunks. Depending on the region and the available materials the stage may also be coated with clay mud. The dances are accompanied by drummers which also herald the begin of the ritual. The distinctive sound ensures all neighbours turn up to take part. The full ritual usually lasts until the morning, with the dancers consuming betel-nut juice and drinking coke to stay awake. Dances can however also go on for multiple days.
Folk Dances (Traditional)
Apart from the classical dance forms there are also folk dances, which are associated with folk activities and festivities. Leekeli (stick dance), kalagedi (pot dance), Raban (hand drum), and Polkatu (coconut) and Kulu (harvesting) are Folk Dances prevalent at the present time.
The classical dance forms are associated with performance of various rituals and ceremonies which are centuries old and are based on folk religion and folk beliefs going back to before the advent of Buddhism and its acceptance by the Sinhalese people in the 3rd century BC. These rituals and ceremonies reflect the values, beliefs and customs of an agricultural civilization.
The pre-Buddhistic folk religion consisted of the belief in a variety of deities and demons who were supposed to be capable of awarding benefits and blessings, but also causing afflictions and diseases. Accordingly, they had to be either propitiated or exorcised with offerings and the performance of rituals and ceremonies.
The repertoire of Kandyan dancing has its origins in the ritual known as the Kohomba Kankariya, which is performed to propitiate the deity known as Kohomba for the purpose of obtaining relief from personal afflictions or from communal calamities such as pestilence. Although this ritual is rarely performed at the present, the various dances associated with its performance could be seen in the Kandy Esala Perahera, and annual religion-cultural event which takes place in the city of Kandy in honour of the sacred tooth-relic of the Buddha housed in the Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth.
The repertoire of Lower Country Dancing has its origins in the rituals of the Devol Maduwa - used to propitiate the Deity/demon Devol - and in exorcistic rituals known as the Rata Yakuma and the Sanni Yakuma - associated with various demons who are supposed to cause a variety of afflictions and incurable illnesses.
Sabaragamu Dancing is associated with the ritual known as the Gam Maduwa, which is performed to propitiate the Goddess Pattini. The purpose is to obtain a good harvest or to ward off evil or to be rid of an infectious disease.
Sri Lankas rich heritage and culture inspired such varied vibrant dance forms. Despite turbulent times in modern history, the nation has continued to preserve and develop its varied dance forms with a modern touch, performs extensively locally and across the globe. Traditional Sri Lankan Dance with a modern touch. Rupathnari is another contemporary fusion mix dance.
Related Article : Sri Lankan Traditional Dances : Chapter 01
0 Comments
Thank you very much for joining us AMAЯE.SL™
We are very happy to receive your comments, suggestions and criticisms for posting on AMAЯE.SL™ and AMAЯE.SL™ with more attention to it
AMAЯE.SL™Support Team