GUIDE TO THE COLOMBO MUSEUM. 185 



depicted on the table of the Council Chamber of the Dutch Governor 

 at the reception of the Sinhalese Ambassadors in 1772. It is 

 interesting to note that among the articles plundered from the 

 Sinhalese palace at Cotta in 1551 by the Portuguese Viceroy Don, 

 are enumerated spittoons of gold. The large kettles which are placed 

 by the side of these on the show case are chiefly in use at gatherings 

 of Buddhist priests. A brass pot ranks amidst the most cherished 

 possessions of the Tamil inhabitants. According to Oriental custom, 

 the Sinhalese used to take their food seated on the ground on a 

 mat, the plate of food being, in the case of the wealthy, placed on 

 an ornamental brass stand a foot in height. Water is the sole 

 drink of the Buddhist, and according to custom this was drunk by 

 pouring the water into the mouth without allowing the vessel to 

 come into contact with the lips. A large variety of brass pots, 

 chiefly of modern Kandj^an workmanship, are shoA^n in Case 46. 



Most of the tobacco boxes have been made from Dutoh designs, 

 and some of them have been actually manufactured m Holland, 

 whence they were brought during the Dutch administration. The 

 Kandyan tobacco boxes are copied from the Dutch boxes, but the 

 ornamental design is generallv pure Kandyan. (See Plates XXXV. . 

 XXXVI., and XXXVII.) 



Case 47. 



The upper part of the case contains a variety of articles used in 

 Buddhist religious ceremonies, such as temple oil vessels, ceremonial 

 goblets, begging bowls. A beautiful ceremonial mango is worthy 

 of special mention. This mango is made of pale alloy crowned by 

 a mounting of yellow brass, bedecked with crystals, and terminated 

 by a high knob carrying a hook. On each side there is a figure of 

 a mythical bird called garuda, and below these an incised bo -leaf 

 design. The mango ends in a lotus flower with a crystal centre. 

 It is hollow, and contains loose pellets which rattle when carried 

 about. Along the lower concave border there is a cleft, as in the 

 pattini bangles and anklets, through which the pellets can be seen. 

 This mango is said to have come from the Seven Korales, where it 

 was carried in procession at the Pattini dewalas. 



The table cases are mainty devoted to the accessories of ancient 

 superstitious and magic Ceremonies, charms, and horoscopes. 



Magic ceremonies, including astrology and divination, charms 

 and amulets, and the propitiation of devas, evil spirits, and 

 planetary gods were common at one time among the Sinhalese. 

 The Sinhalese, it appears, acquired a knowledge of some of the 

 primitive ceremonies from the aboriginal inhabitants of the Island, 

 and cultivated magic as a branch of study, supplementing the original 

 forms with those derived from the people of the neighbouring 

 countries . Sinhalese magic in time developed a distinctive character. 

 The forms of ceremonies derived from various sources appear to 

 have been kept fairly distinct. Buddhism distinctly discouraged 

 the practice of magic, but at times, when the religious ideals of 

 the people had deteriorated, magic ceremonies became popular. 

 Charms and ceremonies are performed for various purposes , such as 

 (rt) for curing diseases, (b) warding off disease and ill-luck, (c) 

 promoting health and success, {d) counteracting evil influence 

 directed by others, (e) causing evil to others, (/) foretelling events, 

 and generally for the purpose of divination. 



43-12 ( 6 ) 



