Don't Step on the Beads!

New year, new customs.

Yesterday could have been just another Monday back to work, but this Monday carried some significance. As the first day back to work in the new year, some rituals were in order.

Chris walked to his workplace entrance as he would on any other day when, to his surprise, the normally quiet security guard ran toward him, arms flailing, yelling at him to stop. Just a foot away, patterned into the ground, was a beautiful flower mosaic made of thousands of colourful beads. Chris was literally one step away from kicking the labour-intensive artwork into oblivion, surely putting a damper on the ceremonies to come!

To start the morning off, Chris and his co-workers lined up in the hallway to watch an oil lamp lighting ceremony and then handshakes were offered from everyone. Handshakes complete, an enormous breakfast feast of milk rice, curries, sambol and sweets (and of course, tea) was presented. Needless to say, the morning was fun and not too productive.

It was a similar story at our new REN office. Together with our co-tenants, Energy Forum, a feast of the same sorts was provided and handshakes and "happy new years" were shared by all.

Sri Lanka has lots of little rituals like this one and it's a cool thing to be a part of. It adds a special feel to what could be just another event on a calendar. Lamp lighting ceremonies are done for all sorts of occasions, even beginnings of workshops and trade shows. Monks provided a blessing ceremony for our new office last week. And nothing much happens without food or tea, ceremony or just daily work. The formality is a welcome change from our sometimes too-casual North American ways.

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