Monday, June 25, 2012

Black pepper -Piper nigrum, Sri Lanka

Black pepper - Pepper nigrum, the woody creeper
The yellow flower stalk and berries on the tree
The harvested berries awaiting drying in the sun when they will wrinkle up and turn b lack


Black pepper, 'Gammiris' -S, 'Milaku' - T, has been an export from Sri Lanka from ancient times. The term 'Gammiris' means 'Gamey Miris' translating as 'village-grown pepper'. This is to distinguish it from 'Kochchi Miris' brought from 'Kochin, Goa' during Portuguese times in the 16th Century Present Era. This latter was initially brought from South America by the Spaniards. It was introduced by the Portuguese to South Asia. The value of pepper in Europe in Medieval times could be gauged by the fact that a few pounds of it was worth a King's ransom.

Friday, June 22, 2012

A 'Bulath' tray for a visitor, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Preparing a betel tray - cutting the arecanut
In the villages in Sri Lanka the traditional offering of a 'betel' tray to a visitor to a house is still practised. The picture shows the contents of the tray. Running clockwise from top there are the following item:- Arecanut cutter - 'Giraya' S, 'Paakku vetty' T -, arecanut pieces, lime in a polythene satchet, a cluth of betel leaves and a twist of cured tobacco leaf all laid on a 'pankola thatiya' S, 'Olai ththatty' T. Out of these tobacco, lime and arecanut are implicated in the causation of cancer.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Rose bud, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

A rose-bud blooming in our garden

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Railway at Kosgama.

Railway station, Kosgama.
Railway line near Kosgama.
Kosgama was a big station during the early days of the Colombo to Opanaike Kelani Valley Line. Now the line runs from Colomb Fort to Avissawella and is converted to broad gauge.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Rambuttans for sale, Kaluaggala, Sri Lanka

Rambuttans are aplenty for sale by the side of busy highways now in the month of June. They cost anything from Rs.5 to Rs.10 each.

Video:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4rNU16R1Rc