CULTURE
Sri Lanka is a land of great
cultural diversity. Religion pervades many aspects of life and
constitutes a basic element of this diversity. Buddhist and Hindu
temples, as well as mosques and churches, with their own colourful
rituals, are the most readily visible features of the cultural
landscape. Varying degrees of colonial impact, modernizing influences,
and wealth and income add other shades to the cultural mosaic.
Religion plays an important
role in Sri Lanka; a revival of Buddhism was associated with the
rise of Sinhalese nationalism. Most public holidays are based
on religious festivals. The annual torchlight temple procession,
or Perahara, in which ornamentally covered elephants and hundreds
of dancers participate, draws thousands of devotees. Pilgrimages
also play an important role here. The most important pilgrimage
is to the top of Adams Peak. Muslims believe that Adam and Eve
lived here after they left the Garden of Eden. Buddhists visit
a rock on the peak that they believe contains one of Buddha’s
footprints. Another important pilgrimage is to the Temple of the
Tooth in Kandy, where it is believed that one of Buddha’s
teeth is enshrined.
In architecture, sculpture,
and painting, Sri Lanka's traditions extend far back into antiquity.
The remnants of ancient works restored and preserved at archaeological
sites, while reflecting Indian influences, also bear testimony
to the inspiration derived from Buddhism. Classical literature,
too, presents a blend of stylistic influences from India with
Buddhist themes. Since the beginning of the 20th century, with
the literati being exposed to European literature, local creative
writing has acquired greater diversity in style and has become
more secular in content.
