A Study on How the “Deviyan Mayam Wima” is Important as a Psychological and Therapeutic Ritual in Pandiggama Village.

Abstract

“Pandiggama” is a village of traditional Vanni vedda people, situated in Medawachchiya Divisional Secretariat in Anuradhapura district. There are a number of rituals that can be observed in that village including Mutti Mangalle, Wewe Kiri Ithirima, Hathara Mangalle, Pideni Shanthiya and Deviyan Mayam Wima. These rituals contain psychological and therapeutic methods that are used for treatment purposes. This study is focused on “Deviyan Mayam Wima with the aim of understanding the ideological and therapeutic methodologies of this ritual. Therefore, this study intends to examine the relationship between social beliefs of gods and the ritual of Deviyan Mayam Wima. Fundamental information for the study was gathered through previous researches, books and articles while conducting a field study in the village where the villagers were interviewed to gather their traditional knowledge. This ritual “Deviyan Mayam Wima” is held to invoke the blessings as a treatment for ghost possesses and other spiritual ailments.” All gods are invited by reciting invocations at the beginning of the Deviyan Mayam Wima while having the Yahan and offering Gotu been arranged. Then the Anumethiya who is dressed in a traditional attire with the weapons of gods attached to it, is possessed by a deity. It symbolises the power of those gods against the ghosts by coursing a psychological and a therapeutic effect on the Athuraya. Furthermore, this ritual which is intrinsically linked to ideology, can be regarded as an art therapy that contain the features of visual arts, movement, drama, music and other creative processes to foster a deep spiritual growth.