Sri Lankan Flora & Agricultural Heritage
Presented in a Rare Dimension
Presented in a Rare Dimension
The
practice of Chena Cultivation extends as far back as 5000 years and is the
oldest form of agriculture farming in Sri Lanka.
Vegetables,
cereals, grains and greens were cultivated in a Chena.
Traditional
farmers cultivated a Chena together. Each village consisted of a Chena and each
villager was given a share of it. Before tilting the Chena, a forest area is
cleared and set on fire. As Chena is a rain-fed cultivation method and seeds
are cast a few days prior to rainfall.
The
chena crop is safe-guarded from birds and animals using a pambaya (scarecrow) and takeya
(rough metal object that produces loud sounds). A danduvata or wood fence is set up around the chena and farmers
would take lodge in watch huts (Pela)
to look after crops.