The Ahikuntaka
A publication documenting the lives and livelihoods of the Ahikuntaka or gypsy community in Sri Lanka. A collection of vibrant photographs and a baseline survey on the current socio economic status of the Ahikuntaka conducted by the Colombo University complement this timely publication.
A publication documenting the lives and livelihoods of the Ahikuntaka or gypsy community in Sri Lanka. A collection of vibrant photographs and a baseline survey on the current socio economic status of the Ahikuntaka conducted by the Colombo University complement this timely publication.
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“W<br />
ith pride we mention that, even though we are a minority community,<br />
our contribution towards nourishing Sri Lankan cultural diversity is<br />
significant. Our cultural identity plays a major role in that context. For a slight<br />
elaboration of our cultural identity, we are pleased to make mention of the snake<br />
charming and monkey performing, fortune telling and gypsy lifestyle which<br />
distinguishes the <strong>Ahikuntaka</strong> community from others.”<br />
This is an excerpt from the Kudagama Charter which was ratified on the banks of the Rajangana Tank, in Kudagama,<br />
Thambuttegama during the Dilmah Conservation sponsored <strong>Ahikuntaka</strong> Varigasabha held on January 28 th 2011.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Charter was signed by five leaders the of community, Nadarajah of Kudagama, Egatannage Masanna of<br />
Andarabedda, Anawattu Masanna of Kalawewa, M. Rasakumar of Aligambe and Karupan Silva of Sirivallipuram who<br />
represented different clans within the <strong>Ahikuntaka</strong> community.<br />
DS<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Ahikuntaka</strong><br />
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