An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies: Together with an Account of the Detaining in Captivity the Author and Divers other Englishmen Now Living There, and of the Author's Miraculous EscapeKnox, Robert
History
An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies: Together with an Account of the Detaining in Captivity the Author and Divers other Englishmen Now Living There, and of the Author's Miraculous Escape
Knox, Robert
Sri Lanka -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; Sri Lanka -- Social life and customs
Some being devoutly disposed, will make the Image of this God at their
own charge. For the making whereof they must bountifully reward the
Founder. Before the Eyes are made, it is not accounted a God, but a
lump of ordinary Metal, and thrown about the Shop with no more regard
than any thing else. But when the Eyes are to be made, the Artificer
is to have a good gratification, besides she first agreed upon
reward. The Eyes being formed, it is thenceforward a God. And then,
being brought with honour from the Workman's Shop, it is dedicated
by Solemnities and Sacrifices, and carried with great state into its
shrine or little house, which is before built and prepared for it.
Sometimes a man will order the Smith to make this Idol, and then after
it is made will go about with it to well-disposed People to contribute
toward the Wages the Smith is to have for making it. And men will
freely give towards the charge. And this is looked upon in the man
that appointed the Image to be made, as a notable piece of Devotion.
I have mentioned the Bogahah Tree before, which in memory of this God
they hold Sacred, and perform Sacrifices, and celebrate Religious
Meetings under. Under this Tree at some convenient distance about
ten or twelve foot at the outmost edge of the Platform, they usually
build Booths or Tents; some are made slight only with leaves for
the present use, but some are built substantial with hewn Timber and
Clay Walls, which stand many years. These Buildings are divided into
small Tenements for each particular Family. The whole Town joyns,
and each man builds his own Appartment: so that the Building goes
quite round like a circle, only one gap is left, which is to pass
thro to the Bogahah Tree: and this gap is built over with a kind
of Portal. The use of these Buildings is for the entertainment of
the Women. Who take great delight to come and see these Ceremonies,
clad in their best and richest Apparel. They employ themselves in
seeing the Dancers, and the Juglers do their Tricks: who afterwards
by their importunity will get Money of them, or a Ring off their
Fingers, or some such matters. Here also they spend their time in
eating Betel, and in talking with their Consorts, and shewing their
fine Cloths. These Solemnities are always in the Night, the Booths
all set round with Lamps; nor are they ended in one Night, but last
three or four, until the Full Moon, which always puts a Period to them.
CHAP. V.
Concerning their Religions Doctrines, Opinions, And Practices.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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