Sri Lanka is renowned for its gorgeous natural splendour and also for its rich traditions and culture, religious diversity, glorious history and its architectural splendour. Embark on the most mind relaxing and culturally diverse journey to the villages of Sri Lanka which will give you the opportunity to enjoy the rural experience and the way of life of the locals while indulging in the most unique cuisine that is rich in flavour blended with affection. Explore the awe-inspiring treasures of the countryside which is unique to this little island.
Sri Lanka boasts a rich and diverse culture that is deeply rooted in a history of over 2000 years and it is a blend of customs which carries influences from European and Indian cultures. Sri Lankans hold a heartfelt admiration and connection with nature and are also known for their hospitality, traditional medicinal practices, spiritual diversity, and the amazing fusion of spices that define their unique cuisine. The country's art, architecture, dance, music, and drama reflects the vibrant way of the life of Sri Lankans. The country’s status as a major tea producer and exporter enhances its unique charm while its legacy of strong martial arts traditions makes its culture truly extraordinary and advanced.
Renowned for the gloriously extensive history, Sri Lanka is also well known for the amazing prehistoric but advanced technologies that were utilised to build a lot of the architectural masterpieces which still exist to this day. This beautiful island is home to a number of incredible architectural wonders that showcases the incredible talent and creativity of early Sri Lankan craftsmen.
Sri Lanka is renowned as the world’s greatest ancient water civilization as it holds a legacy in hydraulic systems where they considered humanity to be a part of nature by bringing in the understanding of protecting the environment. The ancient irrigation methods of Sri Lanka adopted a more integrated approach while taking into account the nourishment of soil, filtration, the sustainability of wildlife and water replenishment, whereas modern irrigation methods focus mainly on transporting water effectively. Their clever inventions, like the Minneriya tank which is over 15 centuries old, shows sustainable effectiveness and a connection to nature that the present-day irrigation methods usually lack.
An experience that you should never miss when you visit Sri Lanka is the village tour experience as it is an opportunity to embrace and explore the rural treasures, the wise words and stories from the locals, the unique taste of Sri Lankan cuisine prepared with locally grown ingredients and the glamorous handicrafts originating from different rural regions of Sri Lanka. As you step into your journey in the village, you can immerse yourself in a morning walk while embracing the tranquil atmosphere as the gentle breeze gives you the soft chills while the birds sing harmoniously alongside the sounds of nature.
You can stop by and engage with the friendly locals who would welcome you warm-heartedly and observe how they carry out their daily activities. Join them as they invite you for a cup of Ceylon Tea while you have a wholesome conversation filled with smiles which would include getting an insight into their culture, traditions and their way of life. Wander over the lush greenery, rice paddies, riverbanks and the jungle trails while you pluck a few lotus flowers from the pristine waterways to offer to the nearby temples as you walk along. Every step you take in this journey will become a memorable story that weaves throughout this journey so come be a part of it.
Upon arrival at this villages, be ready to indulge in a healthy detox juice (or herbal tea), and then you can enjoy a traditional bullock cart ride where the strong bulls would take you back to the ancient times of how people of Sri Lanka used to ride on the bullock carts which had been a major mode of transportation at the time. Explore the centuries-old art of ironwork in Sri Lanka that uses the ancient iron smelting techniques that dates back to 3rd century B.C. that are wind-powered in which you can make your own traditional tools and knives that consist of wooden handles in the traditional manner. Visit a traditional goldsmith workshop and discover the art of jewellery crafting from the skilled jewellery craftsmen of Sri Lanka while you are demonstrated and given a chance to create your own piece of precious jewellery with Gold or Silver. Visit the weavers’ houses to discover the generations-old artistry of handloom weaving while learning the elaborate procedures that are used to make gorgeous "Khadi" and "handloom" textiles with the use of conventional pit looms and frame looms. Visit the vegetable and fruit farms in the villages and get an insight on how different vegetables and fruits are grown according to seasons while you observe the daily farming activities and have fun as you engage with the friendly farmers.
Indulge in the unique flavours of the Sri Lankan cuisine and have a traditional lunch with the friendly locals after you take a demonstration and help with the cooking activities. Spend your evening at the local coffee shop known as “game kopi kade”, which is the more popular place among the locals to hangout and have a coffee therefore sit back, relax, enjoy the sunset while sipping a warm coffee as you engage with the friendly locals, and enjoy the stunning scenery and tranquil atmosphere of the countryside.
The art of pottery gives the shape and life to clay to create eco-friendly artistic essentials. Though it may be their career for some, it is also a hobby that works as a form of art therapy to some. Sri Lanka holds a great history for pottery as the pottery industry serves as one of the country’s major forms of arts and crafts for centuries which is why this topic holds a special place in this text that is being written about the countryside treasures. Pottery is very popular among Sri Lankans as these clay based products are used for cooking, interior decorations and also for gardening. The introduction of Buddhism became the greatest influence for the start of the pottery industry in Sri Lanka as most of the stupas and statues that were built to commemorate Lord Buddha were built with clay. Pottery industry is one of the most valued industries of Sri Lanka as there was a high demand for earthenware thanks to the easy access of raw materials.
Clay, serving as the main material for production of pottery goods, has a few types where each type is used for different products. Red clay, white clay, and ball clay are primarily the main three types of clay used in the pottery industry of Sri Lanka where the most popular type is the red clay which is also known as earthenware clay. Red clay is used to make pottery, tiles and bricks. White clay is found in very significant amounts and is perfect for the production of porcelain and ceramics. Ball clay is also utilised in the production of porcelain and ceramics which contains kaolin. After the high usage of clay in Sri Lanka’s pottery industry, the resources dropped and was found in limited amounts which made it difficult to find the suitable types of clay for the pottery production. However, several locations, such as Nattandiya, Dediyawala, Boralesgamuwa, and Meetiyagoda, are well-known for their clay supplies and therefore serves as important hubs for the manufacture of pottery throughout the nation. Clay is accessible in other regions of Sri Lanka as well but in very lower quantities.
In the ancient days, there were rural villages in Sri Lanka that entirely depended on the pottery industry for their livelihood but in the present day there are only a few pottery villages which are known for this artistic craft and these villages include Walahapitiya in Nattandiya, Molagoda in Kegalle, Katupotha in Wariyapola, Kirimetiyana in Dankotuwa, and Biyagama in Kelaniya. The skills and art of pottery are passed down from generation to generation in some families that own pottery businesses in these villages which are strategically tucked away at regions where the sources of clay are most abundant which makes them centres for Sri Lankan pottery. Tourists that visit Sri Lanka are provided with the opportunity to visit, explore and have a fascinating experience at these pottery villages.
Visit Sri Lanka today and experience these rural treasures by taking an enchanting village tour in Sri Lanka. From the pottery-rich landscapes and the awe-inspiring masterpieces of advanced ancient technology, to the serenity of the locals' way of life, culture and traditions, you will be having the most memorable experience with this tour.