Page 308 - Proceedings book

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Research Methodology

Primary data were gathered through Interviews with residents of the study area. A

sample of twenty-five families was selected from Ranamure village, which has around
150 families. The sampling strategy was designed to cover a cross-section of the

population and included households of varying income levels. This approach was
taken because of the observed economic disparity, the transmission of religious

beliefs across generations, and the differences in traditional knowledge among the

villagers.

Research Objectives

The principal aims of this study were as follows:

• To document and preserve traditional knowledge systems;
• To examine the nature and continuity of ancient rituals and customs;

• To explore the environmental conditions influencing community life in the
Knuckles region;

• To understand the diversity of perspectives among villagers with differing

educational and experiential backgrounds;
• To gather insights into the traditional agricultural practices unique to

Ranamure.

Through the exploration of these themes, this research aspires to contribute valuable

insights into the socio-cultural dynamics of an area that remains relatively
underexplored in Sri Lankan anthropological scholarship.

Discussion

Customs, Beliefs, Agriculture, and Other Traditional Knowledge of Ranamure
Village

A variety of customs, traditions, and beliefs can be identified in the traditional

villages of Sri Lanka. Ranamure village similarly preserves many traditional customs

that have been handed down from the past and are maintained to this day.
Furthermore, this research identified that numerous rituals have developed based on

various beliefs, particularly relating to the worship of gods and the belief in demons

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