kiribath

The word is a compound with a transparent meaning in the Sinhala language, where Kiri (කිරි) means "milk" and bath ( බත්) means "rice".

File:Sujata_and_the_Buddha.jpg offered kiribath to Gautama Buddha depicted on fresco at Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara.]]

The origins of kiribath are not clear, although the dish seems to be unique to Sri Lanka.{{cite web |last1=Jaufer |first1=Aaysha |title=What Makes A Sri Lankan Meal So Distinctive? |date=23 January 2017 |url=https://roar.media/english/life/food/what-makes-a-sri-lankan-meal-so-distinctive/ |access-date=27 July 2018}}

It is said that Sujata offered kiribath to Gautama Buddha whilst he was meditating under the bodhi tree, just before attaining enlightenment.{{cite web |last1=Ramesh |first1=Nisha |title=SRI LANKA: KIRIBATH |url=https://www.196flavors.com/sri-lanka-kiribath/ |website=196 Flavors |date=16 February 2018 |access-date=27 July 2018}}{{cite web |title=Easy to make Milk Rice (Kiribath) in a rice cooker |url=http://ammiskitchennz.blogspot.com/2015/09/easy-to-make-milk-rice-kiribath-in-rice.html |website=Ammis Kitchen |date=4 September 2015 |access-date=27 July 2018}}

In a Sinhalese home, and during Sinhalese holidays and ceremonies kiribath plays a significant role. The dish celebrates festive or auspicious occasions and symbolises the beginning of new pursuits or transitions in life. Traditionally, it is also eaten by families on the first day of each month.

Kiribath has a very important role for the Sinhalese in celebrating the Sinhalese New Year where it will be consumed as the first meal of the year.{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife, Volume 1|author1=Lee, Jonathan H. X. (Ed)|author2=Nadeau, Kathleen M. (Ed)|publisher=ABC-CLIO|date=2011|page=[https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofas00leej/page/1085 1085]|isbn=9780313350665|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofas00leej/page/1085}} At the dawn of the new year, a hearth within the household is lit by the lady of the house and the traditional pot of kiribath is boiled. Sometimes rice that has been kept especially for this occasion will be used, as this occasion requires the best rice, which is expressed in terms of taste. When the cooking is finished, after a series of observances and rituals the family begins to eat, but not before making an offering to the Buddha and the gods first. The family will eat from the same rice, as if they are symbolically dining together with the Buddha and the deities. During the Sinhalese New Year, or on any other special occasion, kiribath will be served as the main dish and centrepiece of the meal. At the table, kiribath is served alongside traditional sweets like Kevum, Kokis, bananas and many other delicacies. After this, the oil lamp is lit and the first meal of the year commences.{{cite web |last1=Wijesiri |first1=Lionel |title=Preserving Avurudu traditions, a prime responsibility |url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2016/04/11/features/78812 |website=Daily news |access-date=27 July 2018}} The kiribath symbolises life and so it is fed to the rest of the family by the head of the family, either the father or the mother, to their progenitors for the New Year.{{cite journal |last1=Van Daele |first1=Wim |title=The meaning of culture-specific food: rice and its webs of significance in Sri Lanka |journal=Journal of Applied Anthropology |pages=292–304 |url=http://www.omertaa.org/archive/omertaa0037.pdf |access-date=27 July 2018}}

Kiribath is traditionally the first solid food fed to an infant.{{cite book|title=Picklehead: From Ceylon to suburbia; a memoir of food, family and finding yourself|author=Candappa, Rohan|publisher=Random House|date=2010|page=88|isbn=9781407081342}}

Kiribath is fed by bridegrooms to brides at their wedding.

File:Kiribath (milk rice).jpg.]]

;Ingredients

Kiribath is typically prepared from four basic components: white short-grain rice, thick coconut milk or basic milk,{{Clarify|reason=Does "basic milk" means simply dairy (e.g. from cow)?|date=February 2025}} water and salt to taste.{{Cite web |date=2021-01-03 |title=Kiribath (Sri Lankan Milk Rice) |url=https://www.hungrylankan.com/recipes/kiribath-sri-lankan-milk-rice/ |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=Hungry Lankan |language=en-us}}

It is made from starchy and sticky rice, traditionally a variety known as rathu haal or rathu kakulu haal for its neutral flavour and cooking qualities.

;Preparation

The rice is cooked in coconut milk, sometimes with added ingredients such as sesame seeds or cashews. Kiribath is commonly compressed and cut into diamond or square shaped blocks before serving.

;Consumption

Kiribath is usually served with lunumiris, a relish made of red onions, mixed with chili flakes, Maldives fish, salt, and lime. It can also be consumed with seeni sambol, jaggery, bananas,{{cite web |title=Everything You Need to Know About Sri Lankan Kiribath |url=http://thefoodiemiles.com/sri-lankan-kiribath/ |website=THE FOODIE MILES |date=18 July 2016 |access-date=27 July 2018}} hoppers, bread and roti.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-06 |title=Sri Lankan Seeni Sambol |url=https://www.hungrylankan.com/recipes/sri-lankan-seeni-sambol/ |access-date=2024-05-19 |website=Hungry Lankan |language=en-us}}

Although served onto the plate with a spoon, kiribath is traditionally eaten by hand to mix with the lunumiris.{{cite web |title=How to make Kiribath (Sri Lankan Milk Rice) |url=https://www.islandsmile.org/how-to-make-kiribath-milk-rice/ |website=Island smile |date=3 January 2017 |access-date=27 July 2018}}

There are variations of kiribath including:

Mung kiribath ({{langx|si|මුං කිරිබත්}}) is a variation of Kiribath made by adding boiled green gram to the milk rice. The same recipe and procedure can be followed to make this variation. It is often prepared in Buddhist temples.

Imbul kiribath ({{langx|si|ඉඹුල් කිරිබත්}}) is a sweet variation of the original. It is made by taking a small amount of milk rice, made in the regular process, and spreading it on a banana leaf. A sweet filling made of coconut and jaggery, called Pani pol, is placed in the center. The banana leaf is folded and rolled vertically and pressed firmly, giving it its unusual cylindrical shape.

• Osechi
• Rice and curry
• No htamin

{{Portal bar|Food|Sri Lanka}}

{{Reflist}}

{{cookbook}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2jM2E3SW5s Youtube: Kiribath & Lunu Miris - UYAMU - YAMU TV]

{{Sri Lankan cuisine}}

{{Rice dishes}}

Category:Sri Lankan rice dishes

Category:Rice dishes

Category:Foods containing coconut

Category:Sinhalese New Year foods

Category:Ceremonial food and drink