2015 Dec 25
Sri Lanka, indeed, is a country that is widely known for its Buddhist culture and famous sites that play important roles in Buddhism. Nevertheless, when December dawns upon us, everyone relishes in the spirit of Christmas, regardless of whether they are Christians or not. With the vibrant ethnicity and tradition, in Sri Lanka, here’s how some of us celebrate the season of giving, the Lankan way.
- Fireworks and crackers galore
Lankans are known to celebrate almost all occasions with the lighting of loud crackers. Usually, on the first of December, crackers are lit at midnight signifying the month of Christmas. Stalls, selling fireworks, “ahas kuru”, “chakkara”, sparklers and many more, pop up everywhere. It isn’t Christmas without the bang and the lights.
- Sri Lankan delights
In preparation for Christmas celebrations, all the grandmas and aunts and mom, of course, get together to cook the traditional Lankan edibles and sweets. Christmas cake or love cake is made and wrapped in festive wrapping paper. “Kokis”, “kavum”, “mung kavum”, “aasmi” and many other goodies are prepared. Throw in a bit of juicy gossip among relatives while making these delicious treats and you reach perfection. And if you really want to fulfill Christmas traditions, “Lankan Style”, leave out some “kokis” and milk near the Christmas tree for Santa.
- “Kiribath” on Christmas morning
Talking about food, no one can forget the traditional milk rice on special occasions. Why do we have milk rice you ask? My mom told me that it symbolized prosperity and new beginnings. Shaped using banana leaf, this delicious rice is indeed present on almost every table in every household celebrating Christmas on Christmas morning.
- Trimming the tree
When you think of Christmas, one of the first things you can visualize is the Christmas Tree that will fill your living room; the gifts you would stack underneath it, so when the family comes over for lunch, everyone can sit around the tree and pass around gifts in the true Spirit of Christmas. Decorating that tree is the perfect way to do something as a family, especially when your kids are young. They simply love trimming the tree.
- Christmas Midnight Mass
As the 25th of December draws near, nearly all Christians prepare for church festivities; the midnight mass, the church carols and especially, what to wear. Many get new clothes to wear when attending Mass in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is customary for the hymn, “Oh, Come Devine Messiah” to be sung at the beginning of Christmas Mass and the crib of the Baby Jesus is assembled in the church in all its majesty and beauty.
- Visiting
For most of us, Christmas involves going on visits; not just relatives, but neighbors, too. Certainly, we do not go empty handed. On a personal note, my sister and I carry dishes (on my mother’s orders, of course) filled with homemade goodies to each neighbor’s house. We stay for a while, and in keeping with Sri Lankan tradition, we do some catching up. Moreover, as it is the season of giving, we get food and other presents in return from our neighbors. Not only does this keep with Christmas tradition, it also strengthens our ties with our neighbors, making our neighborhood, indeed, a friendly one.
