A Folklore Study of Royal Legends (Based on Village Names in Matara)

Abstract

The Matara district comprises 16 Divisional Secretariat Divisions, and the number of village names related to each division exceeds five hundred and fifty. Divergent opinions exist among the populace concerning the origins of these village names. Various legends, deeply entrenched over time, are intertwined with the nomenclature of these settlements. Historical and socio-cultural insights regarding village names in Matara can be explored in books "Matara Grama Nama" and its companion, "Matara Grama Nama saha Ehi Vitti." However, it is worth noting that these narratives have yet to be approached from an ethnographic perspective. The research problem is to investigate which royal legends are known by Matara village names, and what is its nature. The primary objective of this study is to The aim is to identify the relationship between history and folklore. In this study, books written on the village names of Matara were used to gather primary data. Additionally, a data collection methodology based on random sampling, involving interviews, participant observation, and questionnaires were used as secondary sources. The present study primarily focuses on legends of royal origin associated with village names. Accordingly, King Valagamba, King Dutugemunu, King Kumaradasa, and King Minikirulu were found and among these kings are regional kings as well as powerful ones. A legendary is a semihistorical phenomenon that took place in the apparent past. Various variants and combinations of a legend belonging to Chola literature are also found. Some of these legends shed light on the support that the Matara region provided in maintaining Sri Lankan statehood. These narratives intertwine with tales of invasions, conspiracies, escapes, personal gatherings, defenses, battles, victories, construction of temples, treasure troves, friendly relations, and more. The village names reveal that the legend related to King Vijayaba, who was a powerful king of Polonnaruwa, is popular in Matara, while it is confirmed by the Panakaduwa Copper Sannasa. It can be concluded that these legends are preserved along with the village names, mixed with various other folk sources.