Sacrifice at the Altar of Greed

 

 Dr. Ruwan M Jayatunge 

This narrative unfolds in the year 1635 within the Kandyan Kingdom, a crucial moment marked by the death of King Senarat, who had ruled from 1604 until his demise. Ascending to the throne amid a tumultuous power struggle, he ruled for 31 years, and his reign was marked by astute political maneuvering, familial conflicts, and various scandals. The king's passing elicited a range of reactions from his subjects, local chieftains, and international observers, reflecting a nuanced interplay of cultural appreciation and political doubt.

The period of King Senarat was a challenging existence for the common peasants in the Kingdom of Kandy.  Their lifestyles were frequently interrupted due to the ongoing conflict with the Portuguese. The landlocked and isolated nature of Kandy fostered a localized economy, where community cooperation was essential for survival. The majority of the peasant population engaged in farming, cultivating paddy in the low-lying terraced valleys while also employing chena, or slash-and-burn techniques, on the hillsides to produce supplementary crops such as finger millet, vegetables, and pulses.

Villages operated with a high degree of self-sufficiency, as trade with the Portuguese-controlled lowlands was severely limited. Consequently, peasants depended on a barter system within their communities, exchanging crops for essential goods such as salt and iron tools.

In a rural village located in the Hunnasgiriya region, there resided an ironsmith known for his robust physique and dark complexion. The villagers perceived him as a person with a stern disposition, marked by a volatile temper and impulsive behavior.

Silippu, the ironsmith, was known in his village for his violent tendencies, particularly towards his family, which included his wife, Dingiri Menika, and their sixteen-year-old son, Punchi Banda. Dingiri Menika often endured severe physical abuse, suffering beatings for minor infractions or sometimes without any provocation, leaving her and Punchi Banda in a constant state of fear regarding Silippu's unpredictable temper. His aggression was rooted in a cycle of frustration and exhaustion from his demanding work in the fields and Kammala or the blacksmith’s forge, which he misdirected towards his family upon returning home.

This misplacement of anger resulted in violent outbursts, where he would physically assault Dingiri Menika, dragging her across the dirt floor and punishing her for imagined disobedience. As Punchi Banda neared adulthood, he too became a target of Silippu's wrath, facing the looming threat of violence.

Despite Dingiri Menika's congenital heart condition, which caused her considerable distress, Silippu remained callous, continuing to inflict harm without regard for her health, striking her with fists and sticks, and even kicking her when she was down.

Dingiri Menika's physical health declined significantly due to relentless abuse, malnutrition, a compromised heart condition, and persistent infections, ultimately leading to her untimely death one night when she permanently closed her eyes.

Silippu remained unmoved by the death of his wife, showing no signs of grief, while Punchi Banda was profoundly affected, weeping uncontrollably. Several villagers gathered to pay their respects, as her body was carefully wrapped in a simple white cloth and interred in the forest. During the burial, Punchi Banda's sorrow intensified, and his son's cries ignited a surge of anger within him. Had it not been for the presence of the villagers, he might have resorted to violence against his son at that moment.

Following the death of his wife, Silippu's attitude towards his son grew increasingly antagonistic. With no spouse to absorb his frustrations, he directed his anger solely at Punchi Banda. The son, aware of his father's volatile temperament, took great care to avoid provoking him. In the wake of his mother's passing, Punchi Banda assumed responsibilities around the house, including cooking. However, whenever the food failed to meet Silippu's expectations, he used it as a reason to beat his son.

The Kandyan Kingdom implemented stringent security measures, travel limitations, and communication restrictions for peasants, explicitly forbidding any commercial interactions with the Portuguese. However, in defiance of these royal edicts and the looming threat of execution, some individuals engaged in clandestine trade with the Portuguese. Certain regional chiefs, known as Dissavas, exploited their private laborers to covertly harvest cinnamon in the border forests, subsequently smuggling it to Portuguese buyers along the coast for substantial personal gain. In pursuit of financial gain, Silippu allied himself with these illicit racketeers.

Following his involvement with illegal traders, Silippu often spent extended periods away from home, which provided Punchi Banda with a sense of relief. The absence of his father allowed him to experience tranquillity and a newfound sense of freedom.

One day, Silippu returned home accompanied by two unfamiliar individuals. He requested Punchi Banda to prepare a meal for the guests, who were served finger millet (Kurakkan) alongside wild boar meat. As Punchi Banda busied himself with the cooking, Silippu engaged in an extended and discreet discussion with the visitors.

While preparing food, Punchi Banda inadvertently listened to a conversation involving a tall man named Gunaya, a witch doctor, and his assistant, Ukkuwa. They discussed a hidden treasure, referred to as Nidhanaya, believed to be buried by King Valagamba in the jungle region of Hunnasgiriya. Gunaya claimed that this treasure contained an array of valuable items, including gold, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. He mentioned possessing a "Nidhan Vadula," or Treasure Book, which would aid in locating the hidden riches, said to be concealed beneath a large rock that required excavation. However, to access the treasure, a human sacrifice was necessary, specifically a virgin who is a "Thun Kulundul," or threefold firstborn. Silippu expressed that he would find such a virgin by searching the nearby villages and urged the witch doctor to prepare a specialized toolkit comprising both spiritual ritual items and physical excavation tools.

Gunaya, Ukkuwa, and Silippu enjoyed a meal prepared by Punchi Banda. As the visitors prepared to depart, Silippu made a commitment to locate a virgin for sacrifice and emphasized the importance of keeping this matter confidential.

Punchi Banda became aware that his father was involved in a new secret treasure hunt. However, he felt apprehensive about inquiring further and chose to feign ignorance regarding their discussion. As was his routine, he occupied himself with household tasks.

In the following weeks, Silippu often ventured out in search of a virgin known as a "Thun Kulundul," or threefold firstborn. He interacted with various individuals, gathering information about families residing in nearby villages. One evening, he returned home with a bottle of arrack, which piqued Punchi Banda's curiosity, as Silippu typically consumed toddy. Meanwhile, his father arrived with bush meat and instructed Punchi Banda to cook it with rice. As Punchi Banda prepared dinner, the witch doctor Gunaya and his assistant Ukkuwa paid a visit. Silippu opened the arrack bottle for them, and the three of them shared a drink. Silippu was in a happy mood. Punchi Banda overheard his father mentioning that he had found a virgin living with her parents in a nearby village.

The three individuals conversed in hushed tones, rendering much of their discussion inaudible to Punchi Banda. However, he managed to catch fragments of their dialogue, which revealed that the father had identified a virgin intended for sacrifice. Gunaya and his assistant consented to procure the necessary tools and items for the ritual. They decided to conduct the ceremony on Kalu Poya, a night devoid of moonlight, when the sky is entirely dark. Silippu committed to bringing the virgin the night before and subsequently transporting her discreetly to the forest where the treasure lay concealed.

The next day, Silippu began building a cell within their home, utilizing sturdy wood sourced from the forest. Punchi Banda quickly realized that this cell was likely intended to confine an individual, presumably the sacrificial virgin. However, he hesitated to inquire about anything from his father.

 Weeks went by as Gunaya and Ukkuwa frequently visited Silippu to strategize their plan to recover the treasure, aiming to execute it on Kalu Poya day. The night before this pivotal day, Silippu ventured into the village under the cover of darkness and returned after several hours, appearing weary and burdened. From a distance, Punchi Banda observed that Silippu was carrying a young girl, approximately sixteen years old, whose hands and feet were bound, and her mouth was silenced with a cloth. The girl, visibly in distress, struggled to move, but the coir rope binding her limbs rendered her efforts futile.

Silippu brought the girl into the house and confined her within a cell. As she lay down, she began to whimper, overwhelmed by pain and fear, unable to escape due to the weights on her hands and legs. After ensuring the girl was secured in the cage, Silippu approached his son with a knife in hand, a clear expression of vengeance on his face. He pressed the blade against his son's throat, threatening him to remain silent and prohibiting any discussion of the matter with others. Furthermore, he ordered his son to keep a constant watch over the girl, warning that if she were to escape, he would be killed.

Punchi Banda became frightened, and he knew his father would not hesitate to kill him if the girl escaped. He was shivering and agreed to follow his instructions.  Punchi Banda was filled with fear, acutely aware that his father would not hesitate to kill him if the girl managed to flee. Trembling, he consented to comply with his father's demands.

Punchi Banda observed the girl, feeling a deep sense of pity for her as she resembled a frightened deer caught in a trap. Her sobs echoed her distress, leaving him feeling powerless to assist her. Meanwhile, Silippu lay exhausted on a mat, quickly succumbing to sleep and snoring within the hour. 

The weary and distressed girl made a subtle motion, indicating her desperate need for water. Punchi Banda, despite his desire to provide her with relief, felt compelled to caution her that if he were to remove the gag from her mouth, she must refrain from screaming. 

He whispered a warning, explaining that if she screamed, his father would harm them both. She nodded in understanding, agreeing to remain quiet. Carefully, he fetched water in a coconut shell, partially untying her gag to offer her a drink. Desperate with thirst, she consumed the water eagerly, and he provided her with more before retying the cloth. Before he secured it again, she revealed that his father had murdered her parents and abducted her, which filled Punchi Banda with sorrow and horror. Overwhelmed, he quickly reattached the cloth and sat beside her, his eyes reflecting his sadness and helplessness.

Punchi Banda was acutely aware of the girl's dire situation, understanding that both his father and the witch doctor were conspiring to take her life through a sacrificial ritual. Despite his knowledge of their sinister intentions, he felt powerless to warn her, leaving him with no choice but to silently express his sympathy through his gaze.

In the early hours of the day, the witch doctor Gunaya, accompanied by his assistant Ukkuwa, arrived with an array of items intended for the sacrificial ceremony. Silippu assisted in organizing the materials, frequently raising his voice to instruct his son to fetch flowers and various other supplies. Although the girl was provided with food and water, her mouth was soon gagged to prevent her from screaming, and her hands and legs were securely bound to ensure she could not flee. Despite her relentless cries, the three men remained indifferent to her plight. Meanwhile, Punchi Banda felt a deep sorrow within, silently weeping for the girl's suffering.

As night descended, shrouded in darkness without the moon's light, the witch doctor had chosen this particular moonless day for the sacrificial ritual. It was essential that they reach the hidden treasure's location before midnight, necessitating the swift transport of the girl to the designated rock. Silippu and Ukkuwa carefully carried her along the forest paths, exercising great caution to evade any villagers. Meanwhile, three men led the way, while Punchi Banda bore a heavy sack filled with the necessary items for their dark magic.

After nearly four hours of travel, they finally arrived at the imposing rock mountain. Throughout the journey, conversation was sparse, punctuated only by the faint cries of the victim, whose gagged mouth could not fully conceal her sobs. 

The witch doctor was well aware of the precise location for the ritual. Upon reaching the designated spot, they set the girl down and began to organize the items they had brought for the black magic ritual. Ukkuwa ignited multiple flaming torches, strategically placing them around the area to provide illumination. The flickering flames cast a warm glow, creating an inviting atmosphere while simultaneously enhancing visibility in the surroundings.

The witch doctor meticulously arranged various items before commencing a highly secretive and specialized dark ritual, accompanied by the chanting of mantras. As he entered a dissociative trance, his facial features transformed, and he engaged in a dance that lasted several hours. 

At precisely midnight, he used a knife to cut the girl's throat, allowing her blood to flow onto a rock inscribed with mysterious symbols. Within minutes, the girl succumbed to her injuries. Overcome with fear, Punchi Banda felt an urge to flee but instead shut his eyes tightly to escape the horrifying sight. 

The girl's lifeless body lay near the rock, her eyes wide open and staring blankly into the void. Meanwhile, the witch doctor's assistant prepared to break the rock with a hammer, while Silippu eagerly anticipated the treasure hidden within. The witch doctor's voice grew louder as he chanted mantras, invoking demons to claim both the girl's body and soul.

Ukkuwa, the assistant to the witch doctor, wielded a large hammer and began striking a rock adorned with peculiar symbols and inscriptions, its surface marred by human blood. As he worked, the rock fractured gradually, layer by layer, while the witch doctor continued his relentless chanting of mantras. Silippu aided Ukkuwa by clearing away the debris, enabling him to focus his efforts on a specific point of the rock. Punchi Banda repeatedly shut his eyes, overwhelmed by fear.

Ukkuwa struck the rock with his hammer, delving deeper into the earth, yet no treasure emerged. The three men grew increasingly anxious as Ukkuwa and Silippu labored for hours, tirelessly excavating the stone. Despite their efforts, they found nothing, leading to their eventual exhaustion.

As dawn approached and darkness receded, three men found themselves weary and profoundly disheartened. The lifeless body of a girl lay beside a rock, prompting the men to recognize the peril of remaining in that location for much longer; The presence of any villager who might observe them could lead to catastrophic consequences. 

Despite their feelings of greed and disappointment, Silippu instructed Punchi Banda to dig a grave for the girl. Overcome by fear and sorrow, the boy complied with his father's command. However, as Punchi Banda hesitated, Ukkuwa forcibly took the mamoty from him and began to excavate the pit himself. Once the grave was prepared, he dragged the girl's body into it and covered it with soil. Meanwhile, Silippu attempted to erase the bloodstains with a tattered cloth, while the witch doctor gathered his belongings into a sack. Within an hour, they had erased all traces of their presence and began their journey homeward.

During their journey, they voiced their disappointment, with Silippu attributing the failure to the witch doctor for not performing potent mantras. In response, the witch doctor promptly defended himself, offering various explanations for their lack of success and asserting that the treasure lay buried deep, necessitating a return the following night to excavate the stone. Faced with limited alternatives, Silippu consented to this plan. Upon returning home in the morning, the trio encountered curious villagers, to whom they simply claimed they had been on a hunting expedition. 

Once home, Silippu instructed Punchi Banda to prepare breakfast. Meanwhile, Punchi Banda prepared rotty for their meal, and after eating, the three men agreed to rest before embarking on their nighttime excavation of the rock.

As evening fell, the sky darkened, and a thunderstorm erupted, bringing heavy rain that rendered their planned night visit to the rock impossible. In light of the severe weather, the witch doctor decided to postpone their activities until the following day. As night drew near, the rain and thunder intensified, prompting the three men to seek refuge indoors, where they consumed arrack and deliberated on their next steps. Meanwhile, Punchi Banda  was tasked with preparing dinner for them. When night fully set in, the three men retired inside the house to sleep, while Punchi Banda opted to lay a mat and rest on the porch.

As midnight drew near, the three men slept soundly, their snoring echoing in the stillness, while Punchi Banda lay awake, consumed by a tumult of emotions. He was deeply unsettled, haunted by the tragic events of the previous night—the brutal murder of an innocent girl. The vivid memory of her final moments and the violence of her demise weighed heavily on his mind. With the rain having ceased, an eerie silence covered the surroundings, amplifying his sense of dread and sorrow.

As Punchi Banda found himself engulfed in a torrent of intrusive memories, he suddenly noticed an unusual smoke encircling his house. Initially, he dismissed it as mere mist; however, the cloud's density soon transformed it into a distinct shape resembling that of a woman. In an instant, he was confronted by the haunting visage of the girl who had been sacrificed, now returned in a form that was anything but innocent. Her once gentle demeanor had been replaced by an expression of fury, her eyes glowing a menacing blood red, and her tongue protruding grotesquely from her mouth, which was gruesomely filled with blood. This terrifying apparition exuded a devilish aura that rendered Punchi Banda utterly paralyzed with fear, leaving him unable to utter a sound or even move a muscle in response to the horror unfolding before him.

The sinister girl entered the house with an eerie grace, and within a split second she swiftly sank her teeth into the necks of Silippu, the witch doctor, and Ukkuwa. With the ferocity of a wild beast, she executed her lethal assault with astonishing speed, resulting in the instantaneous demise of all three men. 

Punch Banda, paralyzed by fear and disbelief, stood as a silent witness to this horrifying spectacle. As the girl turned her attention towards him, she seemed to glide through the air, her gaze locking onto his with an intensity that was both captivating and terrifying. Her face, marked by a devilish grin and stained with blood, coupled with her reddish eyes and a hellish demeanor, nearly caused his heart to cease beating. 

In a voice that was both raspy and otherworldly, she issued a chilling warning: "Not a word to anyone; never speak of me to anyone. The moment you utter a sound about this incident, it will be your last day." With that ominous proclamation, she gradually transformed into a wisp of smoke, dissipating into the air and leaving Punch Banda in a state of paralyzing dread. 

Punchi Banda found himself engulfed in a state of shock, unable to discern the boundary between reality and a haunting dream, as several hours slipped by without clarity. He lay motionless, akin to a lifeless sparrow, until the crowing of a rooster heralded the arrival of dawn.

With a sudden jolt, he sprang to his feet and rushed into the house, only to be confronted by the grim reality that it was not a figment of his imagination; all three men lay dead, their throats violently slashed, and the floor was a gruesome tableau of blood. The horrifying realization struck him like a thunderbolt, prompting him to rush outside, calling for help in a frantic voice.

The villagers soon gathered, and the Gam-Vidane, the village leader, arrived to assess the scene of the crime, bombarding Punchi Banda with a barrage of questions. Terrified yet compelled to speak, Punchi Banda recounted how he had been fast asleep, only to awaken to the sight of the lifeless bodies, deliberately omitting any mention of the girl, the sacrificial ceremony, or the mysterious visitor from the night before. 

Ultimately, the village leader concluded that the men had fallen victim to a large leopard, a theory that the villagers readily accepted, albeit with some skepticism regarding Punchi Banda's miraculous escape from the beast's clutches.

Some of the older villagers speculated that the three men, having consumed arrack, had attracted the leopard with the scent of alcohol, while Punchi Banda, being sober, had evaded its attention. Since the incident was deemed a wild animal attack rather than a murder, the village leader chose not to escalate the matter to the authorities. The villagers then assisted in burying the bodies, their minds now filled with caution and trepidation regarding the lurking wild beast that prowled the night.

The death of his father brought sorrow, yet it was the loss of his mother that truly devastated him. Despite enduring mistreatment and abuse from his father, he harbored a complex sense of paternal love, which persisted even in the face of adversity. With his father's passing, he found himself alone and confronted with the harsh realities of life. Supported by the villagers, he performed the necessary funeral rites and laid his father to rest. 

This experience marked a significant transformation for Punchi Banda, as he transitioned from boyhood to manhood, embracing independence without the oppressive presence of his father. Rejecting his father's profession, he chose to become a farmer and occasional woodcutter, living modestly with limited needs and meagre earnings.

Five years have passed, and Punch Banda has transformed into a handsome young man, embodying a gentle and kind demeanor that contrasts sharply with his father's character. He primarily dedicates his time to working in the paddy fields, but he also ventures into the forest to cut wood.

Immersing himself in the depths of the woods provided Punchi Banda with a sense of mental tranquillity. He enjoyed solitary moments beneath the expansive trees, where he could listen to the whispers of the wind, the rustling branches, and the melodies of birds. Occasionally, he even chose to spend the night surrounded by nature.

One evening, while wandering through the woods, he was captivated by a melodious female voice that resonated with traditional folk elements. Intrigued, he followed the enchanting sound and discovered a lovely young village girl perched on a rock, singing. 

To avoid startling her, he concealed himself among the trees, listening intently to her beautiful performance. Gradually, he approached her in a gentle manner, introducing himself. 

He inquired about the girl, her family, and her home. She revealed that she was an orphan who frequently ventured into the forest in search of food. Eventually, Punchi Banda extended an invitation for her to accompany him to his village.

The girl accepted his invitation to accompany him to the village. Upon their arrival, he prepared a meal for her and set up a mat inside his home for her to rest. To ensure her safety, Punchi Banda chose to sleep on the veranda.

The girl resided in Punchi Banda's home for several weeks, during which he proposed marriage to her. She accepted his proposal with a nod, and shortly thereafter, they were united as husband and wife.

Punchi Banda is now a contentedly married individual. Throughout the day, he tends to the paddy fields while his wife manages the household chores. She is a reserved woman who never interacted with other women in the village, preferred to remain at home. Despite her dedication to preparing meals for her husband, she refrains from eating in his presence. In many respects, Punchi Banda appreciated her modesty and her inclination to stay within the confines of their home.

A year went by, and Punchi Banda found himself increasingly troubled by the absence of children in his life. His desire for a child was profound, prompting him to suggest to his wife the necessity of seeing  Vedarala, the local indigenous healer. However, his wife remained steadfast in her refusal to consult any medical practitioner. Respecting her wishes, Punchi Banda chose not to insist further, yet he could not shake off the sadness and anxiety that accompanied his longing for fatherhood.

One evening, after dinner, Punchi Banda sat on the raised earthen terrace of his home, chewing betel leaves and reflecting quietly. His wife, engrossed in her task, was using a traditional hand spindle to transform raw cotton fibres into thread, her silence indicating her complete concentration. As the moonlight illuminated her face, it cast an unusual glow that stirred memories from years past. She bore a striking resemblance to the innocent young girl his father had once brought for sacrifice, and he vividly recalled her innocent eyes. For a fleeting moment, Punchi Banda contemplated whether this woman might be a relative or even a sister of that ill-fated girl.

Punch Banda confided in his wife about a dark family secret, recounting a harrowing tale from his past. He revealed that his father had forcibly taken a girl, killing her parents with the intention of sacrificing her to appease some unknown force, leading to her tragic death near the rock mountain. Despite the grim act, the anticipated treasure remained elusive. The following night, a mysterious mist enveloped the area, manifesting into a sinister woman who exacted vengeance by killing Punch Banda's father, the witch doctor, and his assistant.

His wife abruptly stopped her work with the hand spindle, lifting her gaze to meet Punch Banda's eyes. Suddenly standing, she released her hair and emitted a chilling, blood-curdling scream that resonated from deep within her. Her visage transformed, resembling that of a demoness; her eyes blazed with a fiery red intensity, and her tongue protruded grotesquely from her mouth.  Her tongue extended about six inches out of her mouth. The fury etched on her face was indescribable. In an instant, she was at her husband's side, seizing his neck with an overwhelming grip.

"Yes, that was me," she cried out to him, her voice entirely stripped of humanity, uttering a sinister cry straight from hell. "Your father, that witch doctor, and his assistant dragged me away for a sacrifice and then murdered me. After that, I became the creature I am now. I returned that night for revenge and killed those three men. But I spared your life because you were the only person who showed me kindness in that helpless night. However, I warned you never to reveal this story to anyone. I am giving you one last chance. If you ever breathe a word of this story to anyone again, I will come back for you."

As she gradually released her grip, Punch Banda fell to the ground, his face reflecting a profound blend of fear and desperation as he implored for mercy. The woman, however, appeared completely unaffected by his anguish; instead, she raised her gaze toward the heavens, her demeanor undergoing a striking transformation. In an almost otherworldly spectacle, she began to fragment, her body unravelling like delicate strands of smoke dispersed by a soft wind. Within a matter of seconds, she vanished completely, leaving no remnants of her presence, as though she had never been there at all, dissolving into the very air around her.