1st ICLIM - 2016
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/14900
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Item Indigenous Knowledge available in Balangoda Region: A Study based Indigenous Medicine and Traditional Kem Methods(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Wijesekara, N.C.D.Traditional Knowledge is the ancient heritage own to individual nations bestowed upon their culture and practices. Traditional knowledge is also called indigenes knowledge which comprised of norms virtues, long standing belief systems, experiences way of behavior thought systems and practices which have been applied for various purposes of the traditional society. Individual villages and regions contain their own indigenous knowledge systems and practices. The principal objective of the paper is to study the indigenous knowledge and the kem system available in Balangoda region. The other objectives are the study the use of these knowledge systems, to investigate the indigenous knowledge which has been endangered for decay and decayed, and to examine the factors affecting the decay of indigenes knowledge. Primary data collected using participative observation and holding interview. Study revealed certain medicines and treatments and healing methods used for diseases like eye problem, serpent bite, osteology, tumors, rickets, and hydrophobia. Under “Kem” methods, “Kem” methods used for the farming and agriculture were identified. It recovered that these important medicines, healing and treatment method and systems and the indigenous knowledge practicing to those are not recorded and not given due recognition and acceptance and they have faced in decay and ruination. Even though this indigenes knowledge has been used minimally, danger is the peoples’ growing attitudes toward the western medicinal systems. “Kem” methods were also used minimally and suggestion is made to take steps for preservation and conservation of this indigenous knowledge which has been faced a threat.Item Traditional Knowledge Illustrated in the Palm Leaf Manuscripts of Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Pushpakumara, K.; Dehigama, K.Palm leaves played a major role in recording, and preserving information on various aspects of Sri Lankan culture in place of books and paper until the advent of printing in the 19th century. A search through of palm leaf collections in Sri Lanka reveals that they took part significantly in carry forwarding a tradition that considerably influenced to preserve Sri Lankan indigenous traditional knowledge that has been passed orally from generation to generation. Sri Lanka is in the custody of massive repository of manuscript wealth preserved in cultural institutions. However, an overview of literature reflects, studiesare mainly confined to the preservation, historical information andto widely address the documentation aspects of the palm leaf manuscripts of Sri Lanka. This indicates that there is no research focusing on the theme that encompasses the study of paintings that depict the various aspect of traditional knowledge embedded in palm-leaf manuscripts.Theretofore, the present study is undertaken to explore the paintings in the palm leaf manuscripts in Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura district has been selected for the study. A survey has been carried out with a view to find paintings in the undocumented hither to unknown palm leaf manuscripts. Accordingly on the basis of previous pilot surveys, five Gram Sava Divisions were selected from the five different AGA Divisions of Anuradhapura District. In addition to the document analysis, focus group discussions and observations were used to collect data. While the survey produced paintings of various traditional knowledge related to Arts, the Indigenous Medicine, Magic and charms, Astrology and Agriculture, work of artappeared in palm leaf manuscripts related to ancient Sri Lankan agricultural activities are only presented in this paper. Surveying and studying hither to unknown collections at Anuradhapura District of Sri Lanka will be of momentous achievement for the benefit of research and learning. Due to the utmost value of the manuscriptsit is recommended to take over the collections from theheritors with a view to preserve palm leaf manuscripts for the future generations.Item Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS) in Sri Lank: An overview(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Amarakone, L.R.Sri Lanka is rich in Indigenous Knowledge (IK) as is the case in many developing countries in the South Asian Region. The island is yet to be taken proper mechanism to identify, record, protect Sri Lanka’s IK. The islands IK consists of different cultural heritages of main different communities. Therefore, there is a pressing need to establish a mechanism for identification and preserve IK in Sri Lanka and also it becomes a challenge due to Sri Lanka’s complex social, religious and political history that mixes Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Islam beliefs and also the influence of colonization that took place in the 18th century. As seen above this island’s IK consists of many different cultural heritages of above main communities. On the other hand, formation of a viable mechanism in order to identify, locate, record and protect IK in the island becomes crucial in the phase of redevelopment and reconciliation of communities which is ongoing at present. This paper highlights the great achievements obtained by Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) in the past history in the areas of Ayurveda, Agriculture, Astronomy, Architecture, Education and sustainability of Sri Lanka’s ecosystem and water management. It also attempts to observe how the Sri Lankan IK system was sufficient and relevant and also supporting in maintaining a balanced healthy, social interaction and how IK need to be researched and adapted to meet the current challenges faced by the island nation. At present Sri Lanka is facing problems of poverty, conflict, inadequate education facilities, damages made to the ecosystem, non-communicable diseases such as high-blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol which increase the financial allocations for the nation’s healthcare system. Hence this paper attempt to analyze the aforesaid issues and proposes that being Sri Lankans need to clearly understand our IK systems and adapt them wisely in order to face the challenges that we are facing today.