Crafts Lanka
Sri Lanka is an island, but it is rich in culture, history, beauty and craftsmanship that is second to none. Sri Lankan handicrafts are very much famous throughout the globe owing to their beauty and representation of the true Sri Lankan culture blended with heritage. Most handicrafts serve as household items that can be used for certain tasks and some serve as giftware for tourists.
The art of handicrafts is a tradition that passes from generation to generation and the way they are made is the same practiced historic technique. The raw material used to bring up these vibrant masterpieces can be found limitlessly from nature.
Foreigners as well as urbanized Sri Lankans love them and whenever they tour the countryside where these crafts are readily available, willingly buy them as souvenirs.
Sri Lankan Handicraft Categories
of products. Below represent the most basic categories they fall into.
- Pottery
- Wood Carving
- Brassware
- Laxa ware
- Batik
- Mat Weaving
- Reed ware
- Jewelry
- Wooden Masks
Pottery
An art which has a history of 2500 years, Sri Lankan Pottery is still standing in its ground and looks far ahead to the future. As kitchenware pots and pans are yet important elements of home cooking. Other kitchenwares include jugs, bowls, lids, tiles and vases. In addition terra-cotta creations with simpler and elegant designs include carved vases etc. Ornaments too take shape in forms of figurines and animals.
Wood Carving
This skillful art too has a history and the state of the art wood carvings of Sri Lanka can be witnessed at the famous Lankathilaka Viharaya and Ambakke Dewalaya in Kandy. Coming to the present these wood carvings are now incorporated to household furniture, wall hangings, figurines, sculptures gift boxes, toys and educational items.
Brassware
These wonderful creations emphasize long life and good luck. The towering coconut oil lamps made out of brass are used on seemly every single opening of an occasion in Sri Lanka. Also if it is seen in a household it signifies wealth and status of the family living in that particular house. Brass products also include elephants, Buddha images, bowls, lamps and candlesticks too which are also beautify with engravings.
Laxa ware
Made out of Lac, a resin that is found in some barks of certain trees in the central province which are hugely infested by the Lac beetle. The soft Lac is then beaten and dried till the desired color is appeared and will be applied to the required object. Laxa ware are made in two methods, spool-work and nail work. Lac can be found in ornaments, walking sticks, letter openers, wooden handles, ash trays.
Batik
Another range of beautiful products batik derives from Indonesia but Sri Lankan batik creations has its unique quality that transpires the country’s heritage. Produced in a time consuming process by multiple waxing and dyeing of the cloth where the design is done and later boiling off the wax plus later drying in the sun. Shirts, dresses, sarongs, shorts, saris, wall hangings, house coats, cushion covers, bed hangers are some of the batik products.
Mat Weaving
Mat weaving is a long tradition brought forward by the Sri Lankan women. Sri Lankan Mats are weaved from the raw material extracted from the leaves of ‘hana’ grown in marsh grounds. As well as in the past, mat creations are popular among locals which are taken for several uses and tourists as well. Mat creations include cushion covers, hand bags, shopping bags, letter holders, blinders, and especially dumbara mats that are spread across the floor for sitting purposes.
Reed ware
Made out of materials such as coconut, palmyrah leaves, cane and bamboo, mats, cane furniture, mats, bags, purses, baskets, hats, boxes, kitchenware are produced.
Wooden Masks
An exquisite marvel of craftsmanship, wooden masks are made in the town of Ambalangoda. Made out from the timber of the ‘kaduru’ tree the carving of the mask is a tradition that passes from generation to generation. These masks are used mostly in religious processions and offernings. These colorful creations include faces of gods, humans, demons and beasts.
