Patchwork Designs > HISTORICALLY SPEAKING PATCH PROGRAM

HISTORICALLY SPEAKING SRI LANKA PATCH PROGRAM
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1. Sri Lanka is located in Southern Asia, just 30 miles south of India. To the South lays the Indian Ocean and to the East is the Bay of Bengal. View an outline of a Sri Lankan country map and its Capital. Identify Sri Lanka's flag. The Capital of Sri Lanka is Kotte. Sri Lanka's flag is very ornate. The colors are gold, red, green, and orange. It also includes the country's emblem which is a lion holding a sword.

2. Language serves as a division between the two groups of ethnicities living in Sri Lanka today: the Sinhalese and the Tamils. In the 1978 constitution, it was stated that Tamil would be the national language, and Sinhala would be the official language. Each group of people speaks their own language first, then English, and then the other language. Learn some words or slang that is spoken in Sri Lanka.

3. Each religious group in the country (Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, and Muslims) has multiple celebrations during the year, making the country a host for hundreds of holidays and celebrations. Apart from these religious celebrations, Independence Day is celebrated with the usual parades and traditional celebrations. May Day comes with a colorful celebration in the city parks, where trees and nature become adorned with green, blue, red, and purple decorations. These are the colors of the main political parties, all of which hold rallies on this day. Learn about festivals in Sri Lanka, go to a festival, participate in one, OR complete a craft that represents a festival.

4. Because of the amazing spices served with every dish in Sri Lanka, the Island has gotten the nickname, "Spice Island". Spices such as tamarind, turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, and lemon grass are included in Sri Lanka's many appetizing dishes. Rice and curry are the staple food items eaten in every home, along with hoppers and string hoppers. These are dough made into flat pancake like breads. As for the drink, tea is the beverage of choice. Some of the finest teas in the world are made in Sri Lanka. Try a recipe, food, or drink from Sri Lanka.

5. The Sinhalese have two styles of dance: low country and hill country. Low Country dance is very dramatic and theatrical. The dancers wear strange costumes, with large and eccentric masks. Hill Country style dance uses vigorous movements and has classical origins. The Tamils dance styles are very similar to Indian classical dances. Drums, small cymbals, conch shells and horn pipes make up the musical ensemble of Sri Lanka. Some drums that are commonly used are the geta bera, devale bera, and the yak bera. Watch a dance OR listen to music OR sing a song OR learn more information about a dance from Sri Lanka and try your own moves.

6. Legends and stories of Sri Lanka reflect the many cultural backgrounds in Sri Lanka today. Folk Tales and nature poetry make up many of Sri Lanka's early literature. Read a story, legend, OR listen to a legend or play.

7. Sri Lanka' history is full of trade, immigration and colonization because of it's close proximity to India. There have been multiple royal dynasties that have ruled over India, including the first, stabled by Prince Vijaya. Many legends surround this first dynasty of Sri Lanka. There are also many religious foundations that lie within the country. Learn an interesting fact about Sri Lanka's rich history.

8. The island of Sri Lanka is very diverse. Because it is a tropical island, it is very lush and green all year round. There are dense tropical forests and light mangrove forests at the coastline. Flowers such as the bougainvillea and flame-of-the-forest are brilliantly colored and all around the island. Wildlife is also very diverse. Animals such as the Asian elephant, the sambar, spotted leopard, sloth, black-faced langur, monkeys, elks, deers, and many more. There are also several species of reptiles such as saltwater crocodiles. Choose [3] animals OR plants from Sri Lanka to learn more about. Also, Locate the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal.

9. Mask making, wood and ivory carving, stone sculpting, and mat and basket making are all popular traditional crafts made in Sri Lanka. Each region of the country has its own specialty. Create a craft or project using a traditional a skill OR jewelry OR observe someone creating a handicraft OR a traditional craft from Sri Lanka.

10. Traditionally men and women wear sari type clothing to celebrations and holidays. The sari is a length of fabric that is worn draped over the body. Women wear saris on a more daily basis, while men only wear them for special occasions. Typically men's are more structured and sometimes include collars. Sri Lankan women wear the sari in two popular ways: The Indian style and the Kandyan style. Draw a picture of the clothing, dress up in a Sri Lankan themed costume, create an accessory, complete our paper dolls OR view traditional clothing through books or the Internet or our country manual.

11. Many traditional games are played in Sri Lanka. Some examples include panche (similar to Parcheesi), dice, olinda kelina, and pillow fighting! During national festivals, onlookers enjoy watching pillow fights because they are simple and fun. Learn a traditional game OR play a game that symbolizes Sri Lanka OR play a water game OR play a game in our manual.