🤝 3.
Helping Each Other in the Past (Aththam)
In ancient Sri Lanka, cooperation and community work played a major role in daily life. People helped each other
without expecting money, ensuring that everyone in the village could complete essential tasks.
✨ Aththam Method (Exchange of Labour)
Neighbors assisted each other in farming, harvesting, and house building.
Work was exchanged fairly—someone helping today would receive help tomorrow.
This method helped build strong community bonds and ensured equal participation.
Even King Mahachuli Maha Tissa worked alongside farmers, showing that all work was respected.
📌 Paste Picture: "King Mahachuli Maha Tissa working with people"
💍 4. Marriage in Ancient Times
Marriage customs in ancient Sri Lanka were deeply rooted in tradition and family values. It was considered a sacred
bond, and parental involvement was important in ensuring harmony within the household.
✨ How Marriages Were Conducted
Marriages were arranged by parents to maintain family honor and stability.
Young girls were trained in cooking, household management, and sewing before marriage.
Weddings followed religious customs, including blessings from monks.
Prince Saliya and Ashokamala's love story is a famous example of how marriage was linked to social
traditions.
📌 Paste Picture: "Prince Saliya and Asokamala
⚰️5. Funeral Customs and Respect
Ancient Sri Lankans had great respect for the dead and followed different burial and cremation methods based on social
status and religious beliefs.
✨ Burial Rituals and Customs
Bodies were either cremated or buried, depending on tradition.
Forest tombs were built to respect those of high rank.
Families of the deceased were supported by the community.
Rituals included lighting lamps, offering flowers, and chanting religious verses.
📌 Paste Picture: "A tomb in the Anuradhapura era"
👵 6. Respect and Care for Parents
Sri Lankan society emphasized caring for elders and showing them honor
and gratitude. Even kings set examples by respecting their parents.
✨ Examples from History
King Aggabodhi VII bathed and dressed his mother, showing deep respect.
Children were taught to obey and care for their parents, offering them protection in old age.
Almsgiving to monks was often done in memory of deceased parents.
The tradition of offering a sheaf of betel to elders still exists today.
📌 Paste Picture: "King Aggabodhi VII looking after his mother"
💗 7. Good Values from Ancient Society
Ancient Sri Lanka was built on values of kindness, generosity, and humility. These principles helped shape a peaceful
and cooperative society
✨ Key Values
Helping those in need during difficult times.
Respecting elders, monks, and teachers.
Living a simple, religious, and generous life.
Supporting others through Aththam (labor exchange) and community work.
📌 Paste Picture: "Offering alms to the temple"
🌈 8. What We Can Learn Today
Sri Lanka’s ancient customs are still relevant today. We can learn:
To be kind, respectful, and helpful to others.
To preserve traditions with real meaning, not just decoration.
That family, community, and moral values make society stronger.
🎨 Activity Idea: Draw or write how you follow a tradition at home
Got it! Here's the rephrased booklet content with figures assigned accordingly, avoiding repetition and without including
any activity ideas:
🤝 3. Helping Each Other in the Past (Aththam)
In ancient Sri Lanka, community cooperation was a vital part of daily life. People worked together to help each other
without monetary expectations, creating a strong sense of unity.
✨ Aththam Method (Exchange of Labour)
Villagers collaborated in farming, construction, and other tasks.
Labor was exchanged fairly, strengthening social bonds.
Even King Mahachuli Maha Tissa joined in, showcasing the dignity of hard work.
📌 Fig 3.1 - King Mahachuli Maha Tissa working with people
💍 4. Marriage in Ancient Times
Marriage in ancient Sri Lanka was rooted in family values and traditions, emphasizing stability and harmony within
households.
✨ How Marriages Were Conducted
Parents arranged marriages to uphold family honor and societal norms.
Girls were trained in household management skills before marriage.
Wedding ceremonies followed religious customs and rituals.
The love story of Prince Saliya and Ashokamala highlights how personal relationships intertwined with tradition.
📌 Fig 3.2 - Prince Saliya and Ashokamala
⚰️5. Funeral Customs and Respect
Respect for the deceased was a hallmark of ancient Sri Lankan society, reflected in the burial and cremation rituals
followed.
✨ Burial Rituals and Customs
Cremation or burial methods depended on traditions and beliefs.
Tombs were built to honor individuals of higher social status.
The community played a supportive role for grieving families.
Rituals often included offerings, chanting, and lamp-lighting ceremonies.
📌 Fig 3.3 - A tomb in the Anuradhapura era
👵 6. Respect and Care for Parents
Honoring and caring for elders was a central value in Sri Lankan society, setting an example for future generations.
✨ Examples from History
King Aggabodhi VII demonstrated respect by personally tending to his mother.
Children were taught to care for and protect their parents in old age.
Offering a sheaf of betel to elders remains a symbolic tradition even today.
📌 Fig 3.4 - King Aggabodhi VII looking after his mother
💗 7. Good Values from Ancient Society
Sri Lankan society was built on values like kindness, humility, and generosity, fostering peace and cooperation among its
people.
✨ Key Values
Helping those in need during tough times.
Showing respect to elders, teachers, and monks.
Embracing a lifestyle of simplicity and generosity.
Engaging in community-driven initiatives like Aththam to strengthen ties.
📌 Fig 3.5 - Offering alms to the temple
🌈 8. What We Can Learn Today
The customs and traditions of ancient Sri Lanka offer lessons in compassion, cultural preservation, and social harmony.
✨ Lessons from the Past
Practice kindness and mutual respect in daily interactions.
Preserve and cherish traditions that hold meaningful significance.
Value family and community relationships as the foundation of a strong society.
📌 No image allocated for this section to avoid repetition
This rephrased content aligns with your request, ensures figures are used without repetition, and omits any activity ideas.
Let me know if you'd like further refinements! 😊📖✨
