Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c7.32

c7.32

*Servants* *Nila vasama* or *aliyam vasama*. Their services embraced all domestic and outdoor work of various and arduous kinds, some of which were the supplying of fuel and water to the kitchen and bath, the pounding of rice, the extracting of oil, the mudding of walls and floors, the dragging of timber and other building materials, the preparation of clay and the supplying of firewood for the brick and tile kiln, blowing the bellows for the smith, and supplying him with charcoal for the forge, the breaking of limestone, the cutting of banks and ditches, putting up fences, clearing gardens, sweeping out courtyards and compounds, joining in all agricultural operations on gardens, fields, and *hēn*, removing the crops, tying straw and assisting in thatching, the carrying of palanquins and baggage on journeys, conveying to the proprietor the *peṇum-kat*, *aḍukku-kat*, *pehindum-kat*, *maha-kat*, *vas-ḍan-kat*, &c., supplied by the other tenants, joining in the preparations for festivals, carrying *pandam* in processions, and serving at the proprietor's on occasions of importance such as weddings, funerals, arrival of distinguished visitors, and at *yak* and *bali* ceremonies. *Nilavasam* tenants, for the most part, are of a low caste, or belong to the lower classes of the *Veḷḷala* caste. Hence their yearly *peṇuma* to the proprietor, instead of being a *kaḍa* of sweetmeats, consisted of vegetables, and their contributions of raw or uncooked articles of food. Besides service Social as above, rendered to the proprietor, the *Nilavasam* tenants worked for the proprietor's economy Vidāne, and for the *Ganvasama*, a few days in fields and *hen*, and carried their baggage on journeys.