Day 24 (2) - A 'Mee'stical tree

As I was walking along the bund of a large village tank known as 'Parangiyawadiya wewa,' amongst the diversity of flora in front of me, this majestic tree covered in moss and vines caught my eye. I immediately stopped in awe, and a humbling sensation overwhelmed me. It reminded me of the 'Grandmother Willow' from the 'Pocahontas' animation; it was a different species of tree, to be clear. The young farmer accompanying me told me that this was called a 'Mee' tree. Apparently, there were many 'mee' trees in Sri Lanka, especially on paddy fields, as it played a key role in paddy cultivation. However, they decreased in numbers during the British administration many decades ago. What remains are the few trees that survived through the green revolution that followed.

According to popular belief, many farmers have informed me that 'Mee' trees are occupied by powerful deities. Therefore, most people refrain from removing these trees unless necessary. Villagers also associate bad luck with the action of cutting down a Mee tree, or even a branch of the tree. Understandably, this tree holds a special place in people's hearts and minds. Personally, I too was drawn to this tree; I felt its energy; it was different, almost as if the tree was communicating with me somehow, letting me know that it was the guardian of the tank reservation.

In the modern day, trees are valued for their services, but societies/cultures of the past had a much deeper connection with trees, something that is rarely witnessed today. Humans of the past, in Sri Lanka and around the world, gave certain trees prominence for their mere existence, for the mystical forces they felt, the interconnectedness they witnessed. Resulting in an inspiring and meaningful relationship with a non-human forged by experiences and perceptions.