N
NAMBIRALA OR NAMBURALA: A headman corresponding to an overseer. It is a term in use in Moorish villages in the Kurunegala District.
NANAGEYA: A bath-house. On the visit of the proprietor or some other person of rank, the nanage and atuge (privy) are put up at the lodging prepared for him by a tenant of the Uliyam or Nila panguwa, or by the mananna of the village.
NANU: Composition generally made of lime juice, and other acids for cleansing the hair. In temples it is made of different fragrant ingredients the chief of which is powdered sandal-wood.
NANUMURA-MANGALYAYA: The festival immediately following the Sinhalese new year on which purification with nanu is performed (see above).
NATA-DEWALE: The temple of Nata Daviyo, who is said to be now in the Divyalokaya, but is destined when born on earth to be the Buddha of the next kalpa under the name Mayitri Buddha.
NATANA-PANGUWA: It is one and the same with the Geekiyana-panguwa q. v. The service of this section of the Geekiyana-panguwa is the Digge-netima by females on the nights of the Kenmura days and of festivals. They likewise perform the Alattibema and dance during the whole night of the last day of the Perehera and one of their number accompanies the Randoli procession. Dancing taught by the matron of the class, called Alatti-amma or Manikkamahage. This panguwa is also called the Malwara-panguwa. One of favourite dances of the Alatti women is “Kalagedinetima” (dancing with new pots) the pot used at which becomes the dancer’s perquisite.
NAVAN-MASE: The eleventh month of the Sinhalese year (February-March.)
NAYYANDI-NETIMA: The dance of the Yakdesso (devil-dancers) during Perehera in Dewale.
NAYAKE-UNNANSE: Chief priest.
NELIYA: A seer measure.
NELLI: One of the three noted myrobalans (Clough).
NELUNWI: Paddy given as hire for weeding and transplanting in a field.
NEMBILIYA: A vessel used in cleansing rice in water previous to being boiled. It is of the size and shape of a large “appallaya” but the inside instead of being smooth is grooved, or has a dented surface to detain sand and dirt.
NETTARA-PINKAMA: The festival on the occasion of painting-in the eyes of a figure of Buddha in a Vihare. The offerings received daring the ceremony are given to the artificers or painters as their hire (see Barapen.)
NETTIPALE: A penthouse, or slanting roof from a wall or rock.
NETTIMALE: The ornamental head dress of an elephant in processions.
NIKINIMASE: The fifth month of the Sinhalese year (August-September).
NILAKARAYA: A tenant liable to service, more particularly the term is applied to tenants doing menial service.
NILAWASAMA: The tenement held by the Nilawasam tenants. The services, as those of the Uliyakwasam embrace all domestic and outdoor work of various and arduous kinds some of which, as those already enumerated under the Minumwasama, are the supplying of fuel and water to the kitchen and bath, the pounding of paddy, the extracting of oil, the mudding of walls and floors, the dragging of timber and other building materials, the preparation of clay and the supplying of firewood for the brick and tile kiln, blowing the bellows for the smith and supplying him with charcoal for the forge, the breaking of lime stones, the cutting of banks and ditches, putting up fences, clearing gardens, sweeping out courtyards and compounds, joining in all agricultural operations on gardens, fields, and hen, removing the crops, tying straw and assisting in thatching, the carrying of palanquins and baggage on journeys, conveying to the proprietor the penumkat, adukkukat, pehindumkat, mahekat, wasdankat, etc., supplied by the other tenants, joining in the preparations for festivals, carrying pandam in processions, and serving at the proprietor’s on occasions, of importance such as weddings, funerals, arrival of distinguished visitors, and at Yak and Bali ceremonies. Nilawasam tenants for the most part, are of a low caste or belong to the lower classes of the Vellala caste. Hence their yearly penuma to the proprietor, instead of being a kada of sweetmeats consists of vegetables and a contribution of raw or uncooked articles of food. Besides services as above, rendered to the proprietor, the Nilawasam tenants work for the proprietor’s Vidane, and for the Ganwasama, a few days in fields and hen and carry their baggage on journeys.
NILA-PANDAMA OR KILA-PANDAMA: The same as Kalapandama. q. v.
NINDAGAMA: A village or lands in a village in exclusive possession of the proprietor. Special grants from kings are under sannas.
NIYANDA: A plant, the fibres of which are used in making cords, strings for curtains and hangings and carpets or mats.
NIYAKOLA: The leaves of a shrub used for chewing with betel.
NULMALKETE: A ball or skein of thread.