Old Equipment and Tools Used by the Sinhala Village Society in Food Preparation and Food Consumption (Based on the Traditional Villages of Galgamuwa Division)

Abstract

In the creation of tools and equipment used in ancient society, priority was given to the work of cooking and consumption. The ancients used to fulfill the need very simply and the equipment and tools produced using primary raw materials were used as much as possible. The purpose of this study is to investigate the equipment and tools used by the Sinhala village society in food preparation and food consumption. This is research based on empirical methods and it is based on empirical data and secondary sources. Primary data, information was obtained from the elderly living in old villages through interviews and secondary sources, books and research articles were used following the purpose of the research. An exploration of the knowledge systems given by one generation to another generation following the traditions of the villages with environmental and social education has been done here. The ancients used simple equipment and tools to meet the needs of life in an environmentally friendly way. These tools and equipment contributed to the preparation and consumption of food and beverages in such a way that their medicinal and nutritional properties are not lost. As long as the ecosystem in traditional villages remains intact, it can be recognized that traditional life processes remain intact. This tradition of life, which was maintained without cultural change, has been subjected to a strong cultural shock with the political and social changes that have taken place later. Encouraging the re-establishment of the production of these instruments and tools made using local raw materials and getting used to them are important as simple strategies that can be used as solutions to the economic, social and health problems of this country. This will solve the environmental, health and economic problems caused by the use and consumption of non-biodegradable products such as plastic, aluminium and polythene. It is suggested that natural resources and traditional knowledge strategies are identified and used as a national need and that self-health development features with cultural identity as development and health needs are updated as a national need and thus the foundation for sustainable human development can be established in every household unit.