The Position of women in Sri Lankan history as depicted in the Saddarmalankaraya

Abstract

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The Saddarmalankaraya is one o f the best known mediaeval Sinhala scriptures. The author o f Saddarm alankaraya Jayabahu D harmakeerthi Sangharaka Thera lived in Lanka during the Gampola era. The main source in the composition of the Saddarmalankaraya was the Pali Rasavahini based on local information of the A nuradhapura era. The text is considered one o f the most detailed descriptions o f mediaeval Sinhala culture and society. M ore than half o f the 103 chupters o f Saddarm alankaraya represent the Sinhala society. It includes descriptions o f the nobility, priests and ordinary people w ho lived during the time. It includes descriptions o f elites, priests and ordinary people who lived during the Gampola Era. Although certain chapters o f Pansiya Panas Jathakaya prove that the literati o f the Jathaka stories have not depicted females as illiterate, capricious and conservative, Saddarmalankaraya depicts fem ales in a different manner. In the ancient times there were wise women who also protected civility. Yet, while the author has made an effort to praise fem ales whenever possible, in certain places satirical and scornful allusions have been m ade towards women. Especially through ‘Kakawam atissa V asthu’ the capriciousness o f women is highlighted. As such, it appears the author has made an effort to present a balanced attitude regarding women. N everthless, a citation in Saddarmalankaraya exposes all the com positions that alluded to women in that era in a sexist manner. The narration related to D utugem unu’s Royal Tusker (Kadol Etha) and the m are D heegahuni highlight the relegated view on women. A ccording to Saddarmalankaraya, there are facts about superfluous readings on fem inine chirognomy, called Sam udrika Shastraya, and how only male children o f patriarchal fam ilies have been encouraged to obtain an education. Texts nam ely Kinchisangha Vasthu, Vessamiththa Vasthu, Naga Vasthu present various information about education for fem ales, cookery and other practices confined to women. These texts divulge facts about females who gained liberation through savoir faire and m editation. A lso, marriage had not been an assured bond for women. M orevoer, women had been engaged in professions such as nurses and midwives.