NO. 61. — 1908.] SUMPTUARY LAWS OF THE KANDYANS. 125 



the assembly. It is wrong to use such colloquial terms as 

 warm ("come"), diyan ("give"), palayan ("go"), either 

 to a superior or to an equal in an assembly. Such terms as 

 ayubowan (" good sir "), yahayat venta ("please draw nigh "), 

 lebencla (" please give it "), awasara ("may I ")* are suitable. 

 While partaking of food the individuals composing the 

 assembly should be spoken to as respectfully as possible. 

 Whilst in company it is uncivil to get up and walk away 

 after meals before others. One should wait without washing 

 his hand, even if he has finished before others, till they also 

 finish eating. On all important occasions the ladies should 

 be fed first. It is also becoming to feed the pingo-bearers 

 who have accompanied the guest beforehand in an outhouse. 

 When they are served with water, the chief among them 

 should be served first. Even if one should attempt to serve 

 the wrong person, whether among gentle or common folk, 

 by mistake, it should not be allowed by others, but the 

 proper person should be pointed out. 



Should a kinsman call at a house even on a day of no special 

 importance, he must be welcomed by going forward as afore- 

 said, questioned about his " pleasures and sorrows," and 

 meals prepared as soon as possible. It is against etiquette 

 to ask such questions as "Are you hungry ?" "Should any 

 thing be prepared ? " &c. After serving him with food, &c, 

 he should be questioned concerning his visit, and when he 

 gets ready to go away, one or every one of the inmates should 

 follow him some distance. It is customary to go as far as the 

 stile, if not further, in following the visitor. 



Strangers should also be treated respectfully, though not 

 to the same degree. When a worthy man comes into the 

 house he is saluted. This is done by bringing the palms in 

 contact in front of the face and making a bow. This is the 

 national greeting among the Kandyans. It is the usual way 

 of greeting, as hand-shaking is among the English. If one is 

 saluted by another at a gathering or when alone, whether 

 with or without the offer of betel, the salutation must be 



* The Sinhalese language is full of respectful terms which can 

 hardly be translated into English. 



