Building a 'Dewatha Kotuwa' - Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Building a 'Dewatha Kotuwa' - a place for the Gods to stay, during an intiation ceremony for a 'Hewisi Band', is a piece of art. Young coconut leaves and plantain stems and leaves are used to build this. In Theravada Buddhist Cosmology there are innumerable Gods, part of a cycle of births and deaths, who bless or curse human beings. This is an act to appease them and ward off evil.
Video:-
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYE5XpRWHwI

Ceremonially receiving the 'Hewisi Band' kit, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

The presentation of the kit to be worn by the members of the 'Hewisi Band' at the Maniccawaththe Pansala, in Avissawella, Sri Lanka, is shown in these pictures.

Awaiting initiation into a 'Hewisi' band, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Youngsters awaiting initiation.

The dresses for each member of the Hewisi band laid out.

The teachers.

Youngsters sixteen in number had to undergo months of training in the various rhythms to be played on the drums from trained teachers - 'Gurunnanses'. Then on an auspicious day they undergo a ceremony to don traditional clothing. I took these pictures at the "Maniccawaththe Pansala", Avissawella.

A 'Mal paela' and a 'Dewathaa Kotuwa', Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

A 'Mal paela' - A flower sapling.

A 'Devathaa Kotuwa' - The shed for the Gods.

Side view of the 'Devathaa Kotuwa'

The flower offering inviting the Gods.

I took these pictures at the initiation ceremony of a 'Hewisi Band' in the Maaniccawaththe Pansala, Avissawella, Sri Lanka. In Theravada Buddhist Cosmology, there are numerous Gods who by their meritorious actions are enjoying a status as Gods for a limited time. They are able to help human beings. They are invited and invoked for blessings at quite a few ceremonies. Small shelters are built of young fresh coconut fronds and plantain stems. Fresh flowers are offered and lamps lighted in these places before the Gods are invoked.

Model A Ford, Made in Birmingham, UK - 1928

The front of the car jacked up so that the 5 year old Grand-son could eassily turn the steering wheel at play.

The rear of the car

The 'running board' of early days.

The starter handle.

On the road from Karawanella to Kegalle, near Atale, I saw this beautiful car made in Birmingham in the UK in 1928 by the Ford Motor Co. of UK. It was called 'Ford Model A' and was in running condition. The owner in his 70s claimed that this was used as a bus to transport passengers in the early years.

Friday, November 30, 2012

Model A Ford, Made in Birmingham, UK - 1928

On the road from Karawanella to Kegalle, near Atale, I saw this beautiful car made in Birmingham in the UK in 1928 by the Ford Motor Co. of UK. It was called 'Ford Model A' and was in running condition. The owner in his 70s claimed that this was used as a bus to transport passengers in the early years.

It had the following features :-

1.       ThePetrol tank was in front of the dash-board.

2.       Petrol was gravity fed. There was no petrol pump.

3.       The floor board on the driver’s side had 5 pedals :-

a.       The brake pedal on the  right

b.      The accelerator pedal in the middle

c.       The clutch pedal on the left

d.      High up on the left side was the starter motor pedal – This was connected by a series of metal links to the solenoid switch on the starter motor. This when activated by pushing the starter motor pedal, started the starter motor.

4.       There was a starter handle.

5.       There was a distributor which had current fed from an ignition coil.

6.       The brakes were linked by metal links to the drums on all four wheels.

7.       There were two horns one electrically operated and the other was a rubber bulb horn.

8.       There was a luggage carrier in the rear.

I asked the owner whether he got any offers for the vehicle.

He said he had plenty but did not want to sell.

He said he occasionally takes the car for a run.