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Coming of age ceremony: Keeping our ties closer to our culture and tradition

December 25th, 2007

by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

Celebrating coming of age-puberty, it’s a joyous occasion for the family.

Puberty means the girl transforms physically and emotionally. When girls attain puberty, the day and the time are marked by her mother. The first bath on that day is given by her ” Thai Mama” or maternal Uncle. Then she is kept in isolation for few days, and fed with nutritional food such as gingerly oil, “Kali” or pasty pudding made out of black gram, and sesame seeds mixed with jaggery. The puberty is celebrated with a feast on the seventh day by the Tamils. During earlier days, the girls were not allowed to see any males during their isolation period. They were kept indoors. The particular girl is given special care during this period.

The ceremony which takes place on the seventh day is called “Samaththiya Sadangu ” or “Ruthu Sadangu” or “Poopunitha Neeraattu Vizha”. It is also known as “coming of age”.

The girl is dressed glamorously with gold jewelleries and have a traditional rituals carried out by the elderly women in the family and village. Most of the Hindu rituals are carried out by the males, but only women carry out the rituals for this particular ceremony. The girl gets her first saree, which is made out of silk. The girl wears the saree for the first time on this day. Eleven different types of “Aararththi’ are perfomed, while she stands. The close relatives are invited for the ceremony, and shower her with gifts. Mostly gold jewelleries are gifted to her on this day. Some remote villages in Jaffna have a little different way of celebrating puberty. Some villagers present her with Green coloured gifts, which are to invite fertility. Special traditional sweets are made and served for the ceremony.

Fifty years ago the puberty ceremonies were not given prominence. The ceremony took place on the platform of marriage before tying the “Thaali”- traditional symbol of a Hindu marriage.

Although traditions and cultures have changed due to modernisation, the ceremonies are still strictly followed in certain parts of the country. Ceremonies and festivities keep our ties closer to our culture and tradition.

It is also said that, it has been a tradition earlier her maternal Uncle’s son is proposed after attaining puberty, and gets married to the girl later. Traditional-minded families may force the girl to leave school, once she reaches puberty, and give her in marriage.

Ahranyakumari Kumaraguruparan’s puberty ceremony was held at Hotel Sapphire, Colombo on December 24th 2007.

She was dressed in mauve colour silk saree; gold jewelleries glittered; hair was plaited and flower garlands tied to it; and she was delighted. Her relatives and friends were invited; they blessed and wished her for prosperity.

Traditionally set “Kumbam” is kept at the entrance to welcome the invitees

“Kolam”-traditional design is drawn in front of “Thiruthongal”

“Thiruthongal” is made of variety of flowers. “Thiruthongal” is a canopy of hanging flower garlands and thatched roof with flowers woven with each other. The girl who attained age will be standing under the ” Thiruthongal” and accept the rituals. It has been a tradition in Jaffna to use “Thiruthongal” for puberty ceremonies and “Manavarai” for weddings.

Gorgeously dressed young girls paraded with “Kuththu Vilakku”

Ahranyakumari Kumaraguruparan wears veil before the rituals are performed

“Kumbam” is given to her to hold. It’s a symbol of God decorated with coconut, mango leaves and flowers, which depict prosperity

“Aararthi” of “Koththu” is performed

“Koththu” is given to her to hold after the “Aararthi”

“Koththu” is a traditional measuring cup. It’s filled with paddy, “Kaambu Saththam”-knife is stuck still and a whole lemon is fixed on the point of the knife. “Koththu” depicts wholesome and prosperity. It is a key aspect of puberty ceremony.

“Aararthi” of “Puttu” is performed

Elderly women perform an “Aararththi” of milk rice

“Aararththi” of “Kali”-pasty pudding made of black gram

“Aararththi” of traditional sweets

Ahranyakumari’s maternal aunts performing an “Aararththi” with coconuts

Rice and curry “Aararththi’ is being performed

An “Aararththi” of a tray of fruits being performed

Sprinkling of flower petals by her maternal and paternal aunts after performing an “Aararththi”

A traditional crispy snack called “Paal Rotty”is crushed into pieces to drive away the evils

Fresh Margosa leaves are fed to get rid of evils

Ahranyakumari’s parents garland her

Ceremony’s finishing“Aararththi”being performed

“Pottu” is placed on her forehead

She is getting the blessings from her maternal uncle and aunt

“Koththu” is being handed over by her maternal uncle to her parents

Blessings by her parents

Greetings from grandmother

Gift from grandparents

Happy and merry Ahranyakumari

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Email:dushi.pillai@gmail.com

Entry Filed under: Heritage, Gender