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Plants and pets |
Compiled by Damayanthi HEWAMANNA |
Methods and practices of Chena cultivation
Pictures and Text Madhubhashini RATHNAYAKA
Sri Lankan culture, economy and social values have been constructed
around 'agriculture' for a long period. Indigenous agriculture can be
divided into two, which are Chena cultivation and Paddy cultivation.
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Lakbukete which is used to take water or seeds by the
farmers and Dumessa which is used to dry things |
There is evidence to prove that the livelihood of the ancient man of
this land was formed by chena cultivation. The natives lived on hunting
and chena cultivation. That may be the reason why the Veddas, people in
this land today like chena cultivation much. In the past, crops for raw
materials, which are like cotton were cultivated except crops for food.
In Mahavamsa it is written that Kuveni was spinning cotton when prince
VijeyaM arrived here. And also there are some information written about
chena cultivation of cotton in Ummagga Jathakaya which was written in
the Kurunegala era.
As Aryans began their agriculture mainly with irrigation systems, the
specialty of chena cultivation descended. But in Thonigala inscription
(in the fourth century) it is mentioned that the Aryan also paid
attention on chena cultivation for some extent which was limited to the
natives.
The chena cultivation is a migratory and primary method of
cultivation which does not need water like in paddy cultivation. The
cultivation is mainly done in Yala and Maha seasons, and there is not a
season between them. And also as this is a migratory system, any
opportunity in building strong civilization around chena cultivation was
not possible.
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Sesame cultivation |
Though chena cultivation does not have much customs like in paddy
cultivation, there are some simple customs and special vocabulary which
are related to chena cultivation. There are some similarities in this
vocabulary and customs in different areas. But according to the features
of sub-cultures in those areas these vocabulary and customs change.
Nuvara Kalaviya, Sath Koralaya, Digamadulla, Binthanna and Ruhuna are
famous in chena cultivation. But there is evidence that in past the
chena cultivation was done in wet zone except in dry zone. There are
many rituals done when a chena is cultivated but differ according to the
areas. First of all the farmers in a village get together and select an
appropriate plot of land in their village to cultivate. The selected
plots are mainly named according to the forest in that selected plot.
Some of them are, Nava Deli chena is a plot which is prepared after
cutting the thick jungle and burning it. Ath Danduwa chena is a plot
which is prepared cutting the trees which are grown to arm size and
burning it. The trees in an old chena which was cultivated 10-15 years
ago - then abandoned- grow into arm size.
Apala chena is a plot which is prepared cutting the wines and other
trees which are with thin trunks and branches tangle together in to a
small forest and burning them. Kanathu chena is a plot which is prepared
to cultivate which was abandoned for two or four year's time.
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Drying sesame |
There are special ways in dividing this selected plot among the
farmers. The first one is called Mul keta chena. Here the centre of the
main plot is marked and then it is divided into the sub plots in the
shape of triangle, around that centre. Then comes the Iraveli chena
which is the main plot is in the shape of rectangle and the sub plots
are also divided as so.
So the chena cultivation is done as a group work as a group of
farmers are cultivating the plots which are attached. Then the chena is
cleaned after doing religious rituals, and then it is burnt. After that
a strong fence is built around the chena with the use of untouched or
half burnt trunks and branches. Then seeds are sowed. After that the
vegetables and grains are grown and the farmers stay in the chena to
protect them from birds and some animals line elephant, wild boar,
porcupine, rabbit etc.
For that the farmer builds a small hut a huge tree which will help
him to see the whole chena and as well as will give him protection from
the big animals like elephant.
Then going through a lot of hard work, the crop are taken to the
home, offering them the first portion to the Buddha and gods.
That is how we, Sri Lankans proudly owned a self-sufficient
agriculture system which provided our fore-fathers with nutritious foods
to gain strength to build the huge Dagobas and tanks and the marvelous
creations such as Sigiriya. The time has come to us to recreate that
back boned culture; agriculture.
Ten reasons you should consider adopting a mature rescue
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Having to keep up with the monthly vaccinations |
1. You would get the same thing if you were buying a dog - maybe even
better! The bond that you would have with a rescue dog is strong. A dog
that has not had the greatest start in life or just has been 'thrown
away' because its owners could not take care of it, is more likely to
bond with their new family. Once the dog is in its new home it wants to
please as much as possible so they are never again 'thrown away.' Most
rescue dogs make very loving and loyal companions.
2. A best friend. With an adult dog (two years and over) you have an
instant best friend. You don't have to wait for your puppy to grow up to
see if it enjoys doing the same activities that you do. When you come
home from work you'll want to relax with your dog rather than cleaning
up after it.
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After all the messes, its the annual bath |
3. Getting a puppy is just like having a baby - not getting a good
night sleep. Adult dogs are not as demanding as puppies. They do not
need to be taken out at exactly 5:30 a.m. every morning or are up and
want to play at 3:00 a.m. Want time to rest and some peace and quiet get
an adult rescue dog.
4. A house broken dog. In a shelter or rescue organization dogs are
all taught to be house trained. Getting a puppy from a pet store means
training, training and more training. A puppy needs to be on a
consistent schedule - because puppies will go when they want to go.
5. Do you think you will have time to take your puppy out every hour
to be house trained, feed him, and clean up his messes? An average
working person gets home from work late and does not have the time or is
too tired to do all those things before the day is over. Having an adult
dog means you will be able to have more time for yourself not taking the
dog out.
6. Less bills to pay. A puppy needs to be taken to a vet for a series
of shots, facials, to be altered and one or two emergency trips if they
swallowed something dangerous.
Multiply each visit by Rs.600 or more plus shots and medications.
That can add up to more than Rs.1500 a month. When adopting a rescue dog
they should be up to date on all shots, altered, heart worm negative,
and on prevention.
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House trained |
7. In tact clothes and furniture. A puppy constantly needs to chew on
things, if it's a table leg, socks, or shoes, the puppy does not care as
long as it can chew. No matter how much you'll keep an eye on them
they'll always get into something. A puppy needs to be on surveillance
24-7 unlike older dogs who can run around the house without destroying
it.
8. Getting an older dog means you know what you're getting. A puppy
is unpredictable on how big it will get, what will its temperament be,
and if it will be good with children. When adopting you get a dog best
suited to your needs and not a puppy you don't know how will turn out.
9. When buying a puppy people go by a color or look. It is not a very
good basis to go on. Puppies often change in behavior and look. You
might get a couch puppy when you love the outdoors, or vice versa. When
adopting you know specifically what your getting and how that dog
behaves.
10. Knowing you saved a life might be the most rewarding of all. Not
only are you thankful you have a companion, your companion is grateful
he is still living. Puppies in pet stores are guaranteed to be bought,
just because there're cute, but not every dog is rescued. I know you
can't save every dog but one life DOES make a difference.
Many people think dogs that are rescued have behavior problems or are
genetically inferior. That is NOT true.
Many dogs are very sweet and just want a home. You can spend Rs. 5000
-10000 or more on a dog and get a bad dog. It all depends on the dog.
Some people do not realize the time, effort, love and money that has to
be contributed in raising a dog, and just forget about them so they give
them to shelters.
But adopting just might be the best decision you ever made.
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