Bastin, Rohan (2001) Ritual games for the goddess Pattini. Social Analysis, 45 (2). pp. 120-142.

PDF (Published Version) - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only

Abstract

The Sri Lankan deity, Pattini, has a number of games (or keliya) held on her behalf. They include the horn game (ankeliya), the stick game (likeliya) and the coconut game (polkeliya). These games share the feature of a competition between two teams, with most commonly one team representing Pattini and the other team representing either her spouse or another male deity. A common but not universal aetiology for the games develops on the main story of Pattini, to be found written in the Silappadikaram or "The Anklet". Specifically it develops on the episode at the climax of the story when Pattini, enraged at the wrongful execution of her husband at the hands of the king of Madurai, causes a terrible conflagration that destroys the city. The fire, which she starts by tearing off her left breast and casting it at the city she curses, threatens the whole world with an associated pestilence until the goddess is appeased by people performing games for her (Wirz 1954: 175).

Item ID:	13410
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1558-5727
Keywords:	anthropology, cultural, social; social anthropology
Date Deposited:	04 Mar 2013 01:44
FoR Codes:	16 STUDIES IN HUMAN SOCIETY > 1601 Anthropology > 160104 Social and Cultural Anthropology @ 100%
SEO Codes:	95 CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING > 9504 Religion and Ethics > 950405 Religious Structures and Ritual @ 100%
Downloads:	Total: 1
	More Statistics