Gypsies Traditional Recognition Has Diminished (A Research of the Electronic Media Usage of Kudagama Traditional Gypsy Village)

Abstract

Sri Lankan Gypsies are not the indigenous Sri Lankan. They are a group of people which have recognition in tradition, tribes and ethnicity. They come to Sri Lanka through the western coast of the country and made their new settlement close to KALA WEW A, in villages such as KALA WFWA, GALGAMUW A and THAMR UTTEGAMA Those who got separated from their original group as came to eastern part of the country thought western coast and made their settlement at AKKAREIPA l I TTHUW A without going to the south. The village which was selected for this study is called KUDAGAMA that is closer to THABUTHTHFGAMA comprises of traditional gypsy features and also the modern electronic equipment can be seen in this village. The ethnic group like gypsies don't have any knowledge to select any fixed channel that can be led their lives for development. They get their simulation with the help of prevailing electronic media. When they are cut off from the social connection with the majority sinhala society their communication all so get diminished Gypsies traditional communication system was buried with the present communication. Although Sri Lankan gypsies are not an ancient Sri Lankan traditional community group, they are a group of people presently established in Sri Lankan society. When they get rid of their traditional way of gypsy life (nomadic) they feel great loneliness in their permanent settlements. Their origin was transformed from era to era in the social background when they live. But modern electronic equipment has influenced their lives in the modern social background. It is witnessed that the accesalarate unsystematic modernization of present KUDAGAMA is due to the solitariness of this village, day by day from their own society. Just because of this solitariness they get closer in touch with electronic Media but not their own tribe. The historical method is used to check about their gypsy social transformation learning method and historical background. The comparative method is used to identify the transformation of the past and present traditional unsystematic communication and modern social system of gypsies. In collecting data mainly the participant observation was used .the other method used in lesser extent among them. The interview method was used to a great extent. The gypsy reserved their traditional, social rites and rituals up today due to the continuation of the social gap. That they think prevailing between the majorities Sinhala Society. The gypsies think that there is social gap between majority sinhala society and them. Due to this social gap they have persevered their traditional rites and rituals up today. Though they believe thoroughly that they have recognition in the society. Their traditional recognition is being diminished due to the meaningless usage of electronic media without the knowledge.