The Significance of Promoting Lesser-Known Intangible Heritage in Cultural Tourism Perspective: with Special Reference to Hewagam Korale

Abstract

Hewagam Korale has significances from archaeological, historical and anthropological aspects which are directly related to Sri Lankan culture. The research area belongs to Palle Pattu, Meda Pattu and Udugaha Pattu of Hewagam Korale is located at Colombo district in Western Province, Sri Lanka. The main objective of this research is to explicate the lesser-known intangible heritage, and promoting lesser-known intangible heritage of Palle Pattu, Meda Pattu and Udugaha Pattu in cultural tourism perspective. This research is based on cults, rituals and believes on gods and goddess with the collected data from the field research and library survey methods. Communities of the research area are engaged with various cults, rituals and believes on gods and goddess, such as; cult of god Vishnu, god Katharagama, god Gambhara, god Ranwala, god Dedimunda and goddess Pattini. Among these, cult of god Ranwala and goddess Pattini are famous cults which are connected with diverse ritual methods. Various lesser-known ritual methods were taken place in this area with Perahera ceremonies, Gammadu, Devadana (Almsgiving), lightning oil lamps and puhul lamps, and offering harvest, flowers, fruits, cloths and jewelries. Apart from these special worshiping methods which have ranged historical background, there are other unique features and intangible significance can be seen in this research area. At present, Colombo district is not functioned as an intangible cultural tourist attraction. Nevertheless, this area has an opportunity to promote lesser-known intangible heritage in cultural tourism perspective which can be developed both domestic and foreign tourists’ attraction to Colombo district in different and innovative approach by developing a museum on cults, rituals and believes, presenting cultural programs on ritual methods and folk stories, promoting the Perahera pageant season of devala, and safeguarding intangible heritage by documenting the ritual methods as video and audio mode. Hence, aspects of heritage and functions of intangible heritage in the study area, importance of safeguarding intangible heritage, and proposal for promoting lesser-known intangible heritage of Colombo District through Palle Pattu, Meda Pattu and Udugaha Pattu; have been discussed in this research.