Sri Lanka It's Happening

May 10, 2008

Traditionally before you move into a new house, you boil a pot of milk on a fire so that it boils over. You do the same thing for the Sinhala/Hindu new year. I think it symbolizes prosperity.

I don't believe in tradition but went along with it anyway because my wife does believe in it. We had to enter the house at the absurdly auspicious time of 6:01 am on Friday the 9th. Then at 6:08 a lamp had to be lit up. At 6:15 the fire had to be lit and the pot of milk placed on it.

Once the milk had boiled over it was time to partake in the first meal at the new house, which going by tradition again was milk rice and followed by traditional sweet meats. After more than 15 months of work, the house is ready for occupation. Well not quite. The gate hasn't been fixed, the hot water system hasn't even been delivered, and there are still a couple of doors that haven't been polished as yet.

Posted by raditha at May 10, 2008 10:37 AM