Hela Culture
HELADIVA.NET
Advocacy for
SOVEREIGNTY EQUITY DEMOCRACY
Who is a Hela?
Anyone who speaks Helabasa (i.e. the indigenous language of Heladiva), respects Hela values (i.e. humanity, self-sufficiency & wisdom) and Hela traditions is a Hela.
Simply: Anyone who identifies and participates in Hela Culture.
Who is a Sinhela? 'Sinhela', 'Sinhala' or 'Sinhalese' are synonyms for the indigenous Hela. These synonyms are a historical corruption of our indigenous identity. Remaining true to our indigenous identity we use Hela to describe ourselves and our culture.
The word 'Sinhela' was derived from two words 'Sinha' (meaning Lion, the clan name of the founder of the last royal dynasty on the Island) and 'Hela' (the name of the indigenous people of Heladiva).
What is our Hela Culture?
Our unique language - Helabasa (Sinhela)
Our shared values - Humanity, Self-sufficiency and Wisdom
Our unique traditions in: cuisine, medicine, music, songs, art, craft, sport, literature and theravadha buddhism
Our celebration of a rich history; both oral and written.
Who we are...
We the Hela are warm and friendly people. In clasped hands, we warmly welcome people; wishing them health, long life and happiness (AYUBOWAN!).
Our lives are centred around our children. We value learning and we invest heavily in our children's education. We believe education is the means to universal wellbeing.
Our Hela community is very much family oriented. To us, everyone is brother, sister, son, daughter aunt or uncle. We believe in equity. We also look out for each other. Whenever we can, we seek to help those in need.
We are a great sporting people. Our passion for cricket is world renowned. Almost every child in Heladiva dreams of one day wearing the blue and gold.
We are a peaceful people. We believe in the sanctity of Life. The only few occasions we have been at war is when our sovereignty was threatened. Sovereignty is paramount to us.
Our Hela Family
Today the Hela family is bigger than ever. Over 15 million people in Heladiva speak Helabasa as their first language (This includes those who identify themselves as Hela Sinhala). Our Hela family includes Hela Tamils, Hela Muslims, Hela Burghers etc. (numbering close to 6 million) who also speak Helabasa.
Throughout the world it is estimated there are over 4 million people who speak Helabasa. These Hela expatriates often return to Heladiva to share the spirit of our vibrant Hela Culture.
Listen to a Folk song in Helabasa about Helabasa by Nanda Malani
A Lamentation by a Hela
Hela Basa (Sinhela) Characters and Dictionary
Songs and music from Heladiva.
Photo: Ekanayake, S., www.infolanka.com
Photo: Ekanayake, S., www.infolanka.com
Photo: Unknown, www.infolanka.com
Photo: Ekanayake, S., www.infolanka.com
Photo: Unknown, www.lankanewspapers.com
Photo: Ekanayake, S., www.infolanka.com
Photo: Ekanayake, S., www.infolanka.com
Photo: Ekanayake, S., www.infolanka.com
Challenges to the indigenous Hela culture...
"I thought of the way in which all native ways of courtesy and beauty are daily more and more despised, and free and easy European manners assumed by the well-to-do English speaking native; and I know to be a part of what is happening all the world over, the continued continual destruction of national character and individuality and art by the ceaseless pressure of what in bitter unconscious irony is called the civilising factor; the deadening of a new and dull ideal of prosperity…. The losing of old virtues in the half eager, half sullen assumption of other ways and manners."
- "Borrowed Plumes" by Ananda. K.Coomaraswamy quoting an essay by Fiona Mcleod Ceylon Daily News, 3 April 1963.