No. 56.— 1905.] PADDY CULTIVATION CEREMONIES. 41S 
NOTES ON PADDY CULTIVATION CEREMONIES IN THE 
RATNAPURA DISTRICT (NAWADUN AND 
KURUWITI KORALES). 
By Ananda K. Coomaraswamy, B.Sc. 
The following notes are intended merely to supplement 
the information already available^ on the subject of Paddy 
Cultivation Ceremonies ; they are based on observations and 
inquiries made at various places within ten miles of Ratna- 
pura. The customs are slowly dying out, and are often 
neglected or forgotten by the younger generation. In one 
place one part, in another other parts, of the ceremonial 
procedure may be observed. 
The kamat'hella or threshing-floor song forms the main 
feature of this Paper ; it is of much interest, as giving full detail s 
of the proper preparation of the arak or talisman that is 
deposited in the arakwala or "arak-hole" in the threshing- 
floor. I believe there may be other versions of some parts of 
the song, as I have heard verses sung in w^hich Gana deviyo 
(Ganesa) and, I think, other gods were also invoked. It is 
* See especially — 
H. C. P. Bell, Sijghalese Customs and Ceremonies connected with 
Paddy Cultivation in the Low-Country," Journal, C.B.R.A.S , vol. VIIL^ 
No. 26, 1883, pp. 44-93. 
H. C. P. Bell, " Paddy Cultivation Ceremonies in the Four Korales. 
Kegalla District," vol. XI., No. 39, 1889, pp. 17-21. 
And also— 
R. W. levers, " Customs and Ceremonies connected with Paddy Cultiva- 
tion," ih., vol. VI., No. 21, 1880, pp. 46-52. 
J, P. Lewis, " Tamil Customs and Ceremonies connected with Paddy 
Cultivation in the Jaffna District," vol. VIII., No. 29, 1884, pp. 304-333. 
J. P. Lewis, "The Language of the Threshing-floor," ih.^ vol. VIII., 
No. 29, 1884, pp. 237-270. 
C. J. R. Le Mesurier, "Customs and Superstitions connected with the 
Cultivation of Rice in the Southern Province of Ceylon," Journal, R.A.S., 
Great Britain, vol. XVII. (N.S.), 1885, pp. 366-372. 
H. C. P. Bell, " Superstitious Ceremonies connected with the Cultivation 
of Al-wi or HiU Paddy," Orientalist, vol. III., 1888-1889, pp. 99-103. 
H. Nevill, "An early Arak-gala or Threshing-floor Charm," Tapro- 
hanian, vol. II., Part IV., 1887, p. 97. 
