Traditions&Customs-Srilanka

ri Lanka: Traditions and Customs
Customs and traditions are deeply ingrained in Sri Lankan society and
have been safeguarded, from one generation to the next, over its rich
2,500 year old history. These traditions are intertwined with day to day
life of the island’s four ethnic groups – the Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims,
and Burghers – and its religions – Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and
Christianity.

Traditional greeting
In our island home, you will be greeted with clasped palms, as if in
prayer, and a head nodded in welcome; the words “Ayubowan” – “May You
Live Long” – forming on each islander’s lips. The equivalent greeting in
Tamil is “Vanakkam”, whilst the Muslims will say “Assalamu Alaikum”.

01.Traditions: From Birth and Beyond
The traditions found below are an intrinsic part of the lives of primarily
the island’s Sinhalese and Tamils. From birth, important rituals are
conducted around culturally significant milestones such as the Naming
Ceremony and a child’s first feeding of solid food.

Naming Ceremony
The ‘Nam Tebima’ or Naming Ceremony is an important ritual in traditional
Sinhalese society. An Astrologer, based on the time of birth, provides a
selection of letters with which to name the child .