Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone!

It all started with fireworks going off at 8:13 am. Sinhala and Tamil New Year Dawn. In the picture you will notice smoke from the fireworks. They are very loud and would echo through the mountains.

We have been invited to a families home for some traditional celebration. On the way the roads were very deserted. Most of the stores and shops were closed.

Found one shop along the way open. Bought some bananas to take to our friends home.

Which banana or (kesel) should we get? So many to choose from here.

We arrived at our friends home, Brother Sunott and his wife Sarajeneen. They have some beautiful plants at their home. This one is an anthurium flower.

First tradition is getting the fire ready to cook the coconut milk.

More fireworks at 10:40 am.

They even have sparklers! 🎇

 

The mother starts the fire.

 

With some help from the family.

 

Lighting of the hearth and cooking meals at 10:40 am. 

The fire is facing North.

 If the milk boils over they will have a bountious year. 

Hooray! It did!

Next we have sweet treats with hot Milo (A lot like hot chocolate).

After we ate the sweet treats we watched some tv and sat by the fan while they prepared more food.

Some of the food we get to eat. The egg plant is made into Brinjul Mutu.

Wood burning stove.

At 11:53 am we get to eat our first meal. We have milk rice and more treats.

 

Before we eat the lady of the house gives everyone a bite of the milk rice.

 

A few of the people she fed.

Last her husband feeds her the rice.

 

The children then show respect to their parents. In return the children get some money.

We then thank each other.

 

Our next tradition is to go to the village well.

 

There we throw the leaf, money and flowers into the well.

 

Families fill their buckets and a bottle. The bottle of water they keep until next year.

Some of the leaves and flowers in the well.

1:00 We get to eat some more. We were so full by the end of the day.

Brother Shantha and his wife Anoka.

Traditional clothing.

We had a fun day with this family! Learned about so many traditions!

Saying good bye!

Sister Anoka riding her bike home.

It is going to be a great year!