The ritualistic festival of “daha ata sanniya” (දහ අට සන්නිය) was successfully held on the 10th December 2014 in front of the Sumangala mansion of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura by the acclaimed artist, Professor Layanal bentharage and his crew. This event had been organized by an alliance of Lecturers and Students of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies and the Department of Languages, Cultural Studies and Performing arts of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, with the financial assistance of the University fund.
What is Daha Ata Sanniya?
“Daha Ata Sanniya”, which is also known as “Sanni yakuma” is one of the main ritualistic festivals of the rural Sinhalese Buddhists of Southern and Western Provinces of Sri Lanka. It is usually conducted with the intention of curing a sick individual, who is believed to be affected by a demon (yaka), who is a wicked supernatural force according to the ancient Sinhalese believes. Thus, the appropriate demon is identified and he is made pleased by giving some offers in order for the demon to make the sick individual free from the demon’s interferences, and free from all the sicknesses. Explaining the meaning and intentions Dr. Praneeth Abeysundara from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology said that “sanni” signifies “sicknesses”, and that “sanniyakuma” is all about spiritual relief. He further said that it can also be identified as a surgery that cures the sadness and uneasiness in both human mind and body. In addition, “SanniYakuma” also has a very general objective of wishing peace and prosperity to the entire community or nation.
Analysing the content of the festival, Professor Ananda Gunasinghe said that Daha Ata Sanniya exposes eighteen different types of illnesses using eighteen different demons;
1. Bhootha Sanniya
2. Abhootha Sanniya
3. Amukku Sanniya
4. Wedi Sanniya
5. Waatha Sanniya
6. Bihiri Sanniya
7. Bheetha Sanniya
8. Kana Sanniya
9. Pith Sanniya
10. Golu Sanniya
11. Moortha Sanniya
12. Demala Sanniya
13. Gulma Sanniya
14. Kora Sanniya
15. Ginijal Sanniya
16. Seethala Sanniya
17. Naga Sanniya
18. Kola Sanniya
Full comprehensive version of Daha Ata Sanniya at University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Yet, since these rituals are now becoming threatened, it has become impossible to witness a complete version of Daha Ata Sanniya, even in the rural village areas. Therefore, the University of Sri Jayewardenepura should be praised as they organized the complete and comprehensive version of Daha Ata Sanniya, where all the prayers and all the Yakun appeared in the exact traditional manner.
Moreover, the organizers should also be praised for making a video of this event as it will preserve this tradition for the generations to come. Mr.C.L.K. Navarathne, the Dean of Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, said that the Faculty has always been dedicated in fulfilling the responsibility of preserving the Sri Lankan traditions, ever since the origin of the Faculty.
Professor Sampath Amarathunge, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, said that he is very thankful for the Faculty, the organizers, and the presenters for realizing such rare occasion at the University.
By Janitha Ekanayake (FHSS)
Photos by Japura Flames
