Either god or devil: Beyond Buddhism·an anthropological view of Yakkama ritual

Abstract

This paper focuses on an aspect of the structure of Yakkama ritual (Nanumura Mangallaya) that is particular to Laggala Pallegama Region in Mathale District. The research has two objectives: to determine how the Yakkama ritual is separately constructed within the Buddhist context; and to determine the positioning of Gods and Devils in the devotees' court. This study employed qualitative methods including focus groups, participant observation and key informant interviews in August 2011.

Nanumura Mangallaya is the first ritual activity in the year that was introduced as Yakkama. The total structure of the ritual is embedded with worship of the great God of Rawana (Gange Bandara, Sellavi Bandara and Brahmana Bandara, etc.), God Saman, God Devatha Bandara, and they associated with eighteen Yakkas (demons) who are directly connected to their weapons cleaning ritual. They included 45 sacred weapons, such as swords, bows, arrows, knives, etc., and Goddess Paththini's foot anklet (Salamba). The total structure of ritual idiom displaces regional guardian Gods and their pantheon of Yakkas in the community belief system. The main expectation of the ritual is protection of hunters and the community from various evil spirit and community diseases (Dewange Leda) such as mumps, chickenpox, etc. The whole day of Nanumura Mangallaya (Yakkama), ritual villagers visit the temple ground premises and fulfill their vows to Gods and Goddesses that they have made duing periods of ailments .

There is a fundamental link between Shanthikarma and Buddhism in both upcountry and low-country Sinhalese societies. However, when clearly observed, the structure, rituals and practices performed in Yakkama have a non-Buddhist base and also have particular regional identities. It is also observed that the non-Buddhist element of Yakkama is a historical and culturally constructed phenomenon. On the one hand, Yakkama symbolises hunting and is a tribal community ritual. Hence, there is lack of specific evidence to link civilised religious norms to this context. On the other hand, Yakkama has been developed as a ritual contradictory to the Buddhist tradition. Shanthikarma in Sinhalese society is performed in separate spaces to get God's benevolence and rituals are performed in common spaces to receive benevolence and prosperity.