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JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CRYLON). [VOL. XVIIL 
The last ceremony which I describe is of a different character, 
and less directly connected with cultivation. It is of special 
interest on account of the fire-walking, which, I believe, has 
never been previously recorded as Sinhalese. 
Ginimaduwa^ or fire-ivalking (cS^oqcsd^So). 
I witnessed the performance of this at Niriella in March 
of this year. It is performed at irregular intervals (four or 
five years) with the general object of ensuring health and 
prosperity for the village and abundant crops. The 
expenses are borne by general subscription. A large rectan- 
gular area is railed in with young cocoanut-leaf fencing on 
a dry field. Inside this two temporary houses are erected, 
and three separate unroofed altars called toran ; the larger 
building (A) covers a fourth iorana (G), that of Pattini 
deviyo ; the others are dedicated to Kataragam deviyo (D), 
Dewol deviyo (E), and Wahala deviyo (F). These altars are 
beautifully decorated with cut-out patterns in young cocoa- 
nut leaf laid on a back ground of ^^<5(3 haharala {Alocasia 
macrorhiza^ Schott) leaf. 
The proceedings are in charge of a kapurdla^ who brings 
the dharana of Pattini deviyo with him from the dewdle. 
Before dark a number of milla (Vitex altissima) logs are 
brought in procession, ready for the fire. 
A 
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