Sinhala Avurudu Traditional Games
As the Sinhala and Tamil New Year approaches, Sri Lankans across the island eagerly prepare to celebrate Avurudu, a time-honored festival deeply rooted in tradition and cultural heritage. Amidst the vibrant festivities, one aspect that resonates with nostalgia and unity is the revival of traditional games that have been cherished for generations.
Sinhala Avurudu, also known as Aluth Avurudu, marks the beginning of the New Year according to the traditional Sinhala calendar. It falls in mid-April, signifying the end of the harvest season and the dawn of a new agricultural year. Beyond its cultural significance, Avurudu serves as a time for families to come together, renew bonds, and indulge in various customs and rituals.
At the heart of the Avurudu celebrations are the traditional games that evoke memories of childhood and foster a sense of community spirit. These games passed down through the ages, hold a special place in the hearts of Sri Lankans, transcending generations and bridging the gap between the past and the present.
Below are some Traditional Sinhala Avurudu Games
Kanamutti Bindeema — Breaking Pots
In Sinhala, breaking pots is known as “Kana mutti bindeema.” The main feature of this game is a line of suspended clay pots filled with water at a specific height. There’s something strange in one of the pots, like tinted water. The “winning” pot is this one, too.
After being blindfolded and given a bamboo pole, the participants are spun around a few times. Contestants frequently make wild swings and swipes. As the audience watches, they applaud and laugh at the failed attempts. The guy who hits the correct pot wins. He ends up getting soaked in the colored water as a bonus.
Kamba Adeema — Tug of War
One of the main traditional games during Sinhala New Year is tug of war, or “Kamba Adeema.” In order to draw the rope across a predetermined line, two teams must tug on opposite ends of the rope. A well-liked team sport that calls for strength, coordination, and strategy is tug of war.
Kotta Pora — Pillow Fight
One of the most well-known traditional New Year’s games that is truly Sri Lankan is Pillow Fight, also known as “kotta pora.” The object of this traditional pillow fight is a sturdy horizontal pole. A unique pillow is present, consisting of a sack filled with plush materials. The two players of this game must maintain their equilibrium while fighting on this horizontal bar. The players’ backs are tied with their one free hand. The other hand must be used by the participants to grip the pillow. By striking the pillow, each player tries to force his opponent off his perch. Up to the very conclusion of the game, the crowds will frequently be heard loudly cheering during this intense match.
Pol Game Tharangaya — Coconut Scraping
A popular game activity in Sri Lanka is the coconut-scraping competition. In this game, players take a seat facing one another and hold half of a coconut between them. The goal is to use the ancient “Hiramanaya” scraping instrument as rapidly as possible to remove the coconut flesh from the shell. The winner is the first player to scarp half of the coconut.
Pancha Keliya — Game of Pancha.
Popular during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year seasons is Pancha, a classic board game from Sri Lanka. This is an indoor game that is played in two groups with a game board, five little seashells, and a coconut shell. To win in this game, you need to be skilled and precise."
Olinda Keliya — Game of Olinda.
Olinda is another indoor board game for the New Year that is often played by two players who are seated on opposite sides of the board. Nine slots on the board hold four beads each. Olinda seeds, which grow well in communities, are used to make the beads.
Players must move the beads from one hole to another and gather any seeds that are discovered there just after an empty one. The game’s winner is ultimately the player who was able to gather the most Olinda beads."
Lime and Spoon Race
One of the main sports during the Sinhala New Year is the lime and spoon race. In this game, players must sprint while holding a spoon in their mouth and balancing a lemon or lime. The winner is the first person to cross the finish line without dropping the lime. Both children and adults like playing this entertaining game.
Placing the Eye on the Elephant — Aliyata ehe thabeema
“Aliyata asa thabeema” is the Sinhala phrase for placing your eye on an elephant. In Sri Lanka, this is one of the most well-liked traditional New Year’s games. First, an eyeless drawing of an elephant is made on a chalkboard. After that, each person receives a chalkboard and a blindfold to help them locate the elephant’s eye. This game is won by the player who draws the attention in the exact spot.
Sack Race — Goni Diweema
The goal of this race is to reach the finish line ahead of your rivals by hopping inside a sack or goni bag. An enjoyable and difficult outdoor game that improves coordination and balance is sack races.
Eating Buns — Banis kamee thrangaya
Eating buns is one of the most fascinating games during Sinhala New Year celebrations. There are buns hanging from a horizontal string in this exercise. With their wrists bound behind their backs, the competitors form a line. They run and kneel in front of the dangling buns when they get the signal to stare. To finish eating the bun as soon as possible is the game’s goal.
This is one of the fun moments when competitors can let their table manners go to the wind. The goal is to consume the bread as quickly as possible. The winner is the first person to finish the bun. Kids love playing this game a lot.
Climbing the Greasy Pole — Lissana gahe nageema
One of the most fascinating New Year’s Eve activities in Sri Lanka is this one. In Sinhala, this game is known as “Lissana gaha nageema.” A tall pole driven vertically into the ground is fashioned from the trunk of an areca nut tree. This tree’s trunk is covered in a thick layer of sticky oil. A flag is positioned at the summit as the trophy. It is up to the competitors to scale the tree and retrieve the flag.
This work appears to be difficult. It takes several tries to get beyond the tree’s extreme slickness until the lubricant wears off. In general, the game gets easier as it goes on. The winner is the one who really makes it up the slick trunk and retrieves the flag at the top.
New Year Prince/Princess Pageant — Avurudu Kumara Kumariya thereeme tharangaya
One of the main celebrations of Sinhala New Year is the “Avurudu Kumara” and “Avurudu Kumari” pageant, a competition for young prince & princesses. There are also contests for the titles of Little New Year Princess and New Year Prince. This pageant typically serves as the capstone event for all New Year’s game festivals. Everyone looks forward to this pageant since it’s a really fascinating occasion. Traditional Sri Lankan clothing is required for this beauty contest; boys should wear a “sarong” and a “shirt,” while girls should wear a “redda” and a “hattaya.” Girls dress in traditional clothing, including necklaces and bracelets. The judges base their ultimate judgment on factors such as young appearance, teeth, hair, complexion, and figure. Personality and talent are also taken into account.
This kind of competition helps children and teenagers to develop their self-confidence, public speaking skills, and cultural awareness. Certainly, it promotes traditional values and celebrates the beauty and talent of young generation.
Playing the Rabana — Raban Gaseema
Rabana is used on other occasions too. For example, when a newly married couple comes home, everybody is happy and they play the Rabana. It is meant for happy occasions. This is mainly played by elderly females but small children too join the elders.
Going on the swing — Onchilla padeema
Women and children ride the onchilla — the swings — strung on trees. Sometimes there are two people seated on the swing while another person keeps swaying the swing back and fro while singing special verses known as onchili waram, also known as warang kavi.
However, beyond the fun and excitement, the revival of these traditional games serves a deeper purpose. It fosters a sense of cultural pride and identity, encouraging younger generations to connect with their heritage and appreciate the customs passed down by their ancestors.
In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in promoting and preserving these traditional games, with various organizations and communities organizing Avurudu events and competitions. This resurgence not only ensures the survival of these cherished pastimes but also promotes social cohesion and a sense of belonging among participants.
As Sri Lankans eagerly anticipate the arrival of Sinhala Avurudu, let us embrace the spirit of unity and tradition embodied by these timeless games. Whether young or old, these festivities offer an opportunity to celebrate our rich cultural heritage and create lasting memories with loved ones, ensuring that the legacy of Avurudu continues to thrive for generations to come.
