Day 12 - Mung Kavum

The day before Vesak was a busy day in the village. I was busy arranging all the lanterns for the village to see, using ropes to hang the lanterns with some help from my host. My favourite lantern was the one that was gifted to me by the children in the village in the shape of the popular pink lotus flower.

I also learnt to make 'Mung Kavum' today, which is a traditional Sri Lankan sweet made using green gram flour as the main ingredient. It was a truly special moment to learn how to make this sweet from scratch, as it has been a childhood favourite. It wouldn't have been possible without my host and her daughter guiding me through the process. In Colombo it is rare that traditional sweets are made at home, but here in the villages of Horowpothana, it is something every woman learns from a young age.

It has been extremely windy the past two days, and I was told that during this time of the year the winds turn and change direction, signifying a change in season, and that it was to be expected.