Perahera, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

The spinning fire-balls.

Blowing the 'horanaawa'

Female devotees in the procession

'Kalagedy' dancers

A 'Perahera' winding its way to an industrial establishment in the Free Trade Zone Complex at Avissawella.
Video:-
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY6VN98zT7Y

 

Initiation ceremony, Hewisi band, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Before the 'Devatha Kotuwa'

Tying a 'Panduru'

Paying his respects to his mother

Paying his respects to the 'Gurunnanse'

Paying 'pooja' to the Gods and paying obescience to the parents and the teacher - Gurunnanse - are all part of the ceremony.

The dressing up of a Hewisi band, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Anxious parents

Awaiting the head-dress

Tying the turban

A proud mother

Dressing up a Hewisi Band is a laborious process. The 'Gurunnanses' who taught the pupils the art of drumming take pride in dressing them up at the initiation ceremony. I took these photos at the ceremony.

Hewisi Band - Initiation, dressing up, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.

Changing to the band kit is a laborious process with its own rituals.

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