Sources
This part of the Guide looks at the various peoples and communities that have produced the foodways of Sri Lanka as they are practised at present, in the first decade of the 21st century. As with other parts, chapters are being added to it progressively as they are completed, and will be revised as additional information comes to hand.
Paleolithic-Mesolithic
Like any other look at foodways, I want to go right back to what the archaeological record shows. Sri Lankan archaeology amazingly is still in its infancy but there are some intriguing clues.
Open or download Paleolithic-Mesolithic.
Hunting and Gathering
‘Hunting and gathering remains a significant part of the foodways of the Wanniya-laeto, the indigenous people of Sri Lanka, and has its place also in the foodways of the Sinhalese.’
Open or download Hunting and Gathering
Chenna Cultivation
When did the cultivation of crops begin in Sri Lanka and of what did cultivation first consist? There are signs in excavations in the cave of Dorawaka-kanda near Kegalle of the use of pottery and perhaps the cultivation of cereals as early as 6300 BCE. But how were the cereals cultivated?
Open or download Chenna Cultivation
Buddhism
With 75% of Sri Lankans Buddhist, what influence does this have on foodways?
Vedic Foodways
‘If, as the Mahavamasa attests, the Sinhalese population in Sri Lanka are descended from Vijaya, sailing here around 500 BCE, what foodways this he and his community bring?’