Wetland Cultivation cultivation was mostly done using irrigation water | Grade 7 History Unit 1

Points Summarized from the Text:

1. Definition of Wetland Cultivation:
2. Construction of Tanks and Dams:
3. Cultivation Seasons:
4. Preparation of Paddy Fields:
5. Traditional Pest Control:
6. Harvesting and Storage:
7. Tools Used:
8. Role of Women:
9. Conservation Practices:
10. Terms Used in Wetland Cultivation:

Detailed Explanation of Key Concepts:

Definition and Importance:

Wetland cultivation was one of the primary agricultural practices in ancient Sri Lanka, focusing on sustainable paddy farming to ensure food security.

Irrigation Systems:

• Ancient irrigation systems were advanced, utilizing village tanks for small-scale farming and large reservoirs like the Minneriya tank for extensive cultivation.
• These tanks were central to village life and agricultural productivity.

Cultivation Methods and Seasons:

• Traditional methods involved eco-friendly practices like ploughing to naturally fertilize the soil.
• Farmers utilized seasonal rains (Maha and Yala) and sometimes intermediate seasons for continuous production.

Challenges and Pest Control:

• Pests posed a significant challenge, prompting the use of traditional, non-chemical methods like oil-soaked wicks to protect crops.

Post-Harvest Practices:

• Manual harvesting ensured quality, and storage in bins like vee bissa preserved the paddy until needed.
• Women played a significant role in processing paddy into rice, showcasing the communal nature of agriculture.

Cultural Significance:

• Agriculture was deeply integrated into daily life, with sustainable practices and terms reflecting its cultural and economic importance.

Activity: Table on Wetland Cultivation

Cultivated Season Special Features Terms Used Tools Used Maha Season Main cultivation season with irrigation from tanks and rain. Akala hasa Plough, poruwa, sickle, mamoty Yala Season Second cultivation season utilizing irrigation. Pitadhada hasa Plough, poruwa, sickle, mamoty Intermediate Season Additional season reported in inscriptions. Madhahasa Plough, poruwa, sickle, mamoty General Eco-friendly soil preparation, pest control with traditional methods, storing in vee bissa. Goyam madinawa, Kamatha, Goyam kolaya Plough, poruwa, sickle, mamoty

Possible Questions and Answers:

General Questions:

1. What is wetland cultivation?
2. What are the main seasons for paddy cultivation?
3. Who was King Mahasen, and why was he called "Minneri God"?
4. What were traditional pest control methods?
5. What tools were used in wetland cultivation?
6. What is a vee bissa?

Advanced Questions:

1. How were village tanks significant to paddy cultivation?
2. What are the environmental benefits of traditional ploughing methods?
3. What terms were commonly used in wetland cultivation?
4. How was paddy stored and consumed in ancient times?
5. Why was thriftiness in food consumption important in ancient times?

### Points Summarized from the Text:

1. Definition of Wetland Cultivation:

- Also called paddy field cultivation or irrigated cultivation.

- Relied on irrigation water from tanks and canals, or rainwater for small-scale farming.

2. Construction of Tanks and Dams:

- Village tanks were common in the Anuradhapura Kingdom, built or owned by people referred to as “wew hamika” or “vapi hamika.”

- Larger tanks like the Minneriya tank were built by kings (e.g., King Mahasen, known as "Minneri God") to support large-scale paddy cultivation.

3. Cultivation Seasons:

- Maha season and Yala season are the two main paddy cultivation periods.

- Intermediate cultivation (e.g., Madhahasa) is also mentioned in ancient inscriptions.

4. Preparation of Paddy Fields:

- Land preparation included ploughing with buffalo-drawn ploughs and creating weir-like bunds to manage water.

- Traditional methods were eco-friendly and enriched the soil, unlike modern machines.

5. Traditional Pest Control:

- Methods included:

- Coconut fronds along bunds.

- Lighting oil-soaked wicks tied to sticks to repel insects.

6. Harvesting and Storage:

- Harvesting involved cutting paddy manually and threshing with buffaloes.

- Paddy was stored in vee bissa (storage bins) and used to make raw rice or boiled rice.

7. Tools Used:

- Plough, poruwa, sickle, and mamoty were commonly used.

8. Role of Women:

- Women ground the paddy and prepared rice for consumption.

9. Conservation Practices:

- Villagers consumed food thriftily to avoid waste until the next harvest.

10. Terms Used in Wetland Cultivation:

- Goyam madinawa: Threshing paddy.

- Goyam kolaya: A pile of cut paddy.

- Kamatha: The threshing floor.

---

### Detailed Explanation of Key Concepts:

#### Definition and Importance:

Wetland cultivation was one of the primary agricultural practices in ancient Sri Lanka, focusing on sustainable paddy farming to ensure food security.

#### Irrigation Systems:

- Ancient irrigation systems were advanced, utilizing village tanks for small-scale farming and large reservoirs like the Minneriya tank for extensive cultivation.

- These tanks were central to village life and agricultural productivity.

#### Cultivation Methods and Seasons:

- Traditional methods involved eco-friendly practices like ploughing to naturally fertilize the soil.

- Farmers utilized seasonal rains (Maha and Yala) and sometimes intermediate seasons for continuous production.

#### Challenges and Pest Control:

- Pests posed a significant challenge, prompting the use of traditional, non-chemical methods like oil-soaked wicks to protect crops.

#### Post-Harvest Practices:

- Manual harvesting ensured quality, and storage in bins like vee bissa preserved the paddy until needed.

- Women played a significant role in processing paddy into rice, showcasing the communal nature of agriculture.

#### Cultural Significance:

- Agriculture was deeply integrated into daily life, with sustainable practices and terms reflecting its cultural and economic importance.

---

### Possible Questions and Answers:

#### General Questions:

1. What is wetland cultivation?

- Wetland cultivation, also called irrigated cultivation, is the process of growing paddy using irrigation water from tanks and canals.

2. What are the main seasons for paddy cultivation?

- The main seasons are the Maha season and Yala season, with occasional intermediate seasons like Madhahasa.

3. Who was King Mahasen, and why was he called "Minneri God"?

- King Mahasen built the Minneriya tank, a significant irrigation structure, earning him the title "Minneri God."

4. What were traditional pest control methods?

- Farmers used methods like placing coconut fronds and lighting oil-soaked wicks to repel insects.

5. What tools were used in wetland cultivation?

- Tools like the plough, poruwa, sickle, and mamoty were commonly used.

6. What is a vee bissa?

- A vee bissa is a traditional storage bin used to store paddy safely after harvesting.

---

#### Advanced Questions:

1. How were village tanks significant to paddy cultivation?

- Village tanks provided essential water for small-scale paddy cultivation and supported subsistence farming.

2. What are the environmental benefits of traditional ploughing methods?

- Traditional ploughing methods enriched the soil and avoided damage to the environment compared to modern machines.

3. What terms were commonly used in wetland cultivation?

- Terms like goyam madinawa (threshing paddy) and kamatha (threshing floor) were common.

4. How was paddy stored and consumed in ancient times?

- Paddy was stored in vee bissa and consumed as raw or boiled rice, prepared by women.

5. Why was thriftiness in food consumption important in ancient times?

- Villagers avoided waste to ensure food lasted until the next harvest, promoting sustainability.

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