Sri Lanka is famous the world over for it great beaches, that stretch for miles and miles along its coastline. It is also famous for producing the best tea in the world, in the cold climates of the highlands that are elevated more than two thousand metres above sea level. Sri Lanka is also famous for its rich culture and traditions, though many tourists do not get to witness this side of the county on their visit.
Sri Lanka is unique culturally as it has seen the influx of many different people from different parts of the world, throughout its history. This is because the country is positioned at the centre of ancient shipping routes. The indigenous Sri Lankan tribes were pushed out into the wilderness by Indian invader in the 5th century BC; this group survives today as the nomadic hunter gatherer groups known as the Veddahs.
Following the fall of the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa Kingdoms due to South Indian invasions, the Sinhalese moved southward and established their capitals in places such as Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa and Kotte. The increasing influence of the colonial Portuguese, Dutch and the British culminated in the Sinhalese royalty being confined to the highlands surrounding Kandy. As such Kandy is considered the last bastion of the Sinhalese, during this period there was also a cultural renaissance in the highland kingdom which spawned the development of new styles of dance, architecture, art and music.
Among these disciplines Kandyan Dance is famous as it features in the annual Esala Pageant which is a ceremonious exposition of the last surviving tooth relic of the Buddha. The origins of this dance form are said to be in a ritualistic dance that was performed by Indian witchdoctors that came to the island in 15th century. The dance form became more complex and was later included to the annual royal procession. Students of this dance-form train for many years with a master, until they are deemed experienced enough receive a symbolic crown made of brass that they wear during their performances.
Tourists to Sri Lanka hotels are sometimes welcomed by troupes of Kandyan dancers as it is considered an auspicious start to their holiday. They can also consult a Sri Lanka hotel guide to find out some of the best accommodation options in the country such as those offered by John Keells Hotels Group.
