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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www.dilmahconservation.org<br />
Preserving their cultural identity<br />
As a result of the Varigasabha and subsequent discussions<br />
with the <strong>Ahikuntaka</strong> community, Dilmah Conservation<br />
undertook to support the preservation of this unique<br />
communities’ cultural identity. As part of these efforts, the<br />
<strong>Ahikuntaka</strong> Resource Centre was built in Kudagama in<br />
Thambuttegama. <strong>The</strong> Centre has an open air theatre and a<br />
museum to house traditional arts and crafts. All these efforts<br />
are aimed at making Kudagama into a tourist hub visited by<br />
locals and foreigners alike. Dilmah Conservation envisages<br />
that the <strong>Ahikuntaka</strong> Resource Centre will not only lead to<br />
the preservation of their identity and culture but it will also<br />
lead to the general upliftment of their social conditions.<br />
<strong>The</strong> design and construction of the Centre is handled by the<br />
Department of Architecture of the University of Moratuwa<br />
while the Divisional Secretariat of Thambuttegama is<br />
working in collaboration with Dilmah Conservation to<br />
complete the project.<br />
60 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Ahikuntaka</strong><br />
Preserving their cultural identity
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