Bearer of ancestral burden

Achini

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The Granddaughter

Living mirror of her grandmother

Gender equity and equality are topics that require discussions beyond books, television or magazines. In consideration of laws, physical ability, religious restrictions, cultural restrictions and employment opportunities, women silently fight their own battles.

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The tying of a knot in Sinhalese has a double aspect among ancestors who called it “Hiraya”. The term has a twist, which implies prison and is only imposed on women of the nation.

Ninety years ago, when Sri Lanka was still embracing British values, a young girl was proposed to a man fifty kilometres away from her father’s house. The parents were delighted to see the sixth daughter of the family finally getting married. Even though the father was the headman of the village, the daughter married into a business family. Tikiri Menike became the happy bride and was brought to her husband’s house in a procession.

As soon as her relatives left, her world collapsed like an ice cube melting in the sun. The “kapuwa” (the matchmaker) has played both parties to gain commission. On her honeymoon…