My earliest memory of betel leaves date back to my childhood and as a student of the primary school. Just after the auspicious times of the New Year (Aluth Avurudda), my father would bring a sheaf of freshly plucked betel leaves from the garden to greet his parents. My three brothers and I followed suit in greeting our parents, grandparents and the elders of the family. Handing over the sheaf of betel, we would bend down in worship. Also, as students, we would offer a sheaf of betel to the Principal and teachers of our school at the beginning of a new school term after the New Year vacation.
The Sinhalese call it Bulath and Tamils call it Vettilai. In English, it is betel. Yet, the name is immaterial. From time immemorial, this heart shaped leaf has occupied a special place in the hearts and minds of many Sri Lankans. Betel is also commonly used in many Asian countries such as India and Pakistan.
In Sri Lankan society, offering betel is a form of respect and a greeting. The standard sheaf of betel is a bundle containing 40 betel leaves folded along the mid rib. A sheaf of betel is a must when a guest is invited to a wedding or any other important occasion. Children give it to their elders at New Year. People forget their past differences with a gift of betel. When an arranged marriage takes place, the prospective groom identifies his bride-to-be at her house by the tray of betel that she carries to offer the guests. Sorrow is also shown with betel. The announcement of a funeral requires a sheaf of betel to be offered with the leaves turned down.
Practising an age-old tradition, villagers offer a sheaf of betel when seeking medical advice from an Ayurveda physician (Wedamahatthaya). Money would often be placed on the betel leaves. As a custom, to offer a tray of betel when inviting a Bhikku to deliver a sermon or at the end of an alms-giving ceremony,. It is commonly referred to as the deheth wattiya. Also, when consulting an astrologer, a sheaf of betel would be a necessary gift. Moreover, as a sign of friendship, villagers tend to exchange betel leaves at ceremonial occasions, and when special guests are greeted during an event.
The betel leaf plays a significant role in both Buddhist and Hindu customs of marriage. At a Buddhist wedding, a sheaf of betel is presented to the couple, which is later placed at a higher level on the nuptial throne (Poruwa), symbolizing the offering of betel to the Gods. At the foot of the Poruwa, a large amount of betel leaves are placed along with rice, coconut and an iron knife for splitting the coconut. Similarly, Hindu marriages are confirmed by exchanging betel and the groom’s relatives are welcomed with betel leaves.
Most Sri Lankan homes, especially in remote areas, have a handcrafted betel tray of brass, known as the bulath heppuwa, to be used at special occasions. In remote villages, a tray of betel is a normal sight in every home to provide a chew for anyone who visits the home. Even today, my father keeps a tray of betel with other ingredients at our home to offer visitors Chewing betel leisurely is a popular habit around the country. A chew of betel comprises a betel leaf with some pieces of areca nut, a little slaked lime, dried-tobacco leaf and a little spice. The mixture makes the mouth red and the breath fresh.
To obtain extra flavouring, some recipes include spices, such as cardamoms and cloves. Despite an informal ban on tobacco leaves, a chew of betel is largely popular, and is consumed by people around the country. It is a favoutrite among the hard working Tamil community in the plantation sector, today.
Roadside stalls in the cities and villages have this concoction, known as the ‘Wita’ (Betel Quid in English) for sale. One would often come across men and women whose lips take on a brownish red, as a result of the red stain that is generated when chewing the leaf. Betel is also a lucrative business among vendors in areas where it grows in abundance such as, Alawwa in the North Western Province. During the time of the Avurudu festival, the price of a sheaf of betel goes up to around Rs.350/- and at the eleventh hour it is very difficult to find even a few betel leaves due to its high demand.
Many say, the fresh, peppery taste of betel is a good remedy against bad breath. It is also said, betel is chewed mainly to keep hunger and laziness away while one works hard, as it generates a feeling of energy. Not surprisingly, betel is part of Ayurveda medicine.
A warm betel leaf is used to soothe aches away. Ayurveda physicians often apply medicinal oils with a betel leaf, which is also included in many medicines. An interesting Jathaka story (which chronicle the Buddha’s previous incarnations) features the betel leaf. Legend has it that the betel leaf was first found in the mythical land of the Nagas. Sakra, a deity, once saw a holy act carried out by the Buddha during one of his early incarnations as an animal. In this Jathaka story, known as Sasa Jathaka, the Buddha or Bodhisatva was a hare.
One day he saw a hungry man huddled by a fire. Taking pity on the man, the hare leapt into the fire and the man then consumed it. To mark this act of compassion the deity Sakra decided to paint a hare on the moon.
As he completed this he dropped his paintbrush which fell down to earth in the Naga kingdom. It fell right on the Naga King Muchalinda’s head and killed him. When the king was cremated, his body became a creeper or vine while his head became the betel leaf. Hence the Telegu name Nagavalli (literally, snake creeper) for the betel and indeed, the leaf does bear a resemblance to the hood of a cobra. Another tale narrates how the betel was brought to the human world from the world of Naga by a cobra holding the tip of the leaf by its teeth, which is perhaps the reason why almost all betel chewers discard the tip of the leaf when preparing betel for consumption.
Whatever stories are interwoven with the betel, especially, in the festive season, it will be the leaf of friendship among the Sinhala and Hindu communities. Furthermore, it will be a symbol of prosperity in our society and would indeed be fitting if the betel leaf can become a symbol of peace among all communities in the country.