walauwa

{{infobox ethnic group

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| image =

| image_caption = An 18th-century illustration of Agricultural serfs from An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon by Robert Knox (1641–1720){{Cite book|url=http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14346|title=An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies: Together with an Account of the Detaining in Captivity the Author and Divers other Englishmen Now Living There, and of the Author's Miraculous Escape|last=Knox|first=Robert|date=2004-12-13|publisher=Asian Educational Services|isbn=81-206-1846-7|oclc=57236571|access-date=6 February 2020|archive-date=6 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206114936/http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14346|url-status=live}}{{Cite thesis|title=An historical relation of the Island Ceylon|publisher=The University of Hong Kong Libraries|first=Sarojini|last=Jayawickrama|year=1998 |doi=10.5353/th_b3123864}}

| popplace = Sri Lanka

| langs = Sinhala language

| rels = Predominantly: 18px Theravada Buddhism

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}}

Walauwa or walawwa is the name given to a feudal/colonial manor house in Sri Lanka of a native headmen. It also refers to the feudal social systems that existed during the colonial era.

The term walauwa is derived from the Tamil word valavu, which denotes a compound or garden, and by implication, a large house with aristocratic connotations.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}} The pinnacle of walauwas in the Sinhala social stratum is the wasala walauwa. Wasala is derived from the word Wasasathana, meaning residence. In the Sinhalese social hierarchy, a wasala walawa would typically be the ancestral residence of a mudaliyar.

Walauwas vary in style, elegance and uniqueness depending upon the financial resources of the individual families and in the village or area's social structure. Most walauwas tend to incorporate aspects of traditional pre-colonial Ceylonese architecture, as well as Dutch and later colonial influences. A walauwa usually consisted of a cluster of buildings linked by verandahs, with an internal courtyard (medamidula), which separated the private life of the family from the headman's public duties.

The walauwa were traditionally associated with the homes of the courtiers (radala), members of the royal court in Kandy. It was displaced by their colonial equivalents following the dissolution of the Kingdom of Kandy by the British.{{cite web|url=http://countrystudies.us/sri-lanka/7.htm |title=Sri Lanka - Decline Of The Sinhalese Kingdom |publisher=Countrystudies.us |access-date=26 November 2019}}{{cite book|title=Colonial Modernities: Building, Dwelling and Architecture in British India and Ceylon|author1=Scriver, Peter|author2=Prakash, Vikramaditya|publisher=Routledge|date=2007|pages=206–207|isbn=9781134150267}}

File:Meeduma Walauwa, Rambukkana, Sri Lanka..jpg

File:Sitting Room of Meeduma Walauwa, Rambukkana..jpg

File:View from Meeduma Walauwa, Rambukkana.jpg

Kandyan Walauwas

There were 19 main walauwas in the Kandyan Kingdom of Ceylon. These were (in alphabetical order):Sri Lanka Walauwa Directory by Dr Mirando Obeysekara (Samanthi Book Publishers) {{ISBN|955-8596-47-7}}

Arapola Walauwa (demolished)
Dehigama Walauwa (demolished - Central Finance Building)
Dullewe Walauwa (part of Queen's Hotel)
Dunuwila Walauwa (currently Kandy Town Hall)
Ehelepola Walauwa (fmr Bogambara Remand Centre)
Allepola Walauwa
Eravwawala Walauwa
Galpotthawela Walauwa
Kapuwatte Walauwa
Mampitiya Walauwa (Royal Bar and Hotel)
Meegasthenna Walauwa
Moladanda Walauwa
Madugalle Walauwa (demolished)
Molligoda Walauwa (demolished)
Nugawela Walauwa (The Manor House)[http://sundaytimes.lk/060625/plus/plus6.0.html Carried on the wings of love].Sunday Times (Sri Lanka), Retrieved on 25 June 2006.
Pilamathalawa Walauwa (President's House)
Ratwatte Walauwa (Chandra Silk House)

Other Prominent Walauwas in Kandyan Kingdom

File:Giragama Walauwa Kandy After Renovation - II.jpg

File:Royal Palace Maduwanwela Walawwa - මඩුවන්වෙල වලව්ව 2012 - panoramio.jpg

File:Welivita waththe walauwa .jpg

Angunawela Walauwa, PeradeniyaKing Wimaladharmasuriya of Kandy by Rev. Dr. Vianney Fernando, pages 133, 174
Deldeniya Walauwa, Yatinuwara[http://trinitylk.com/2012/08/tribute-to-the-life-of-denzil-kobbekaduwa/ Tribute to the life of a friend and a hero: Lt. General Denzil L. Kobbekaduwa] by Sunil Keppetipola, Trinity College Worldwide Website, Retrieved on 25 June 2014
Elapatha Walauwa, Rathnapura[http://www.island.lk/2006/05/28/features5.html Iddamalgoda Kumarihamy], by Sepala Ilangakoon, Sunday Island features, Retrieved on 05 July 2014The Duke of Edinburgh in Ceylon: A book of elephant and elk sport, by John Capper and Vincent Brooks, pp.34,35&91 (British Library, Historical Print Editions) {{ISBN|978-1241220785}}
Maduwanwela Walawwa, Kolonne[http://www.sundaytimes.lk/060129/plus/2.html Architectural marvel of the Maduwanwela Dissawa era], by Gamini Punchihewa, Sunday Times Plus (Sri Lanka), Retrieved on 05 July 2014
Mahawelatenne Walauwa, Balangoda[http://www.lankadeepa.lk/index.php/articles/235222 ලෝකයේ පළමු අගමැතිනිය බිහිකළ මහවලතැන්න වලව්ව], Lankadeepa (Sri Lanka), Retrieved on 25 June 2014
Welivita waththe walauwa,Tumpane{{cite web|url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Welivita_waththe_walauwa_.jpg |title=Welivita waththe walauwa in Tumpane|format=JPG}}[https://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2006/12/10/imp06.asp Saga of Nilame and Kumarihamy by Lakmal Welabada]. Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka), Retrieved on 10 December 2006.
Paranagama walauwa, Paranagama, wettewa , Galagedara
Ranwala Walauwa, Niyangoda
Elapatha Walauwa, Rathnapura
Amunugama Walauwa,Kobbekaduwa
Thambagamuwa Walauwa, Ata Kalan Koralaya, Ratnapura

Sathara Korale Walauwas (Kegalle District)

There were 30 main walauwas in the Sathara Korale of Ceylon according to the Sathara Korale Viththi Grantha. There were in alphabetical order;

Aludeniya Walauwa
Aluth Nuwara Walauwa
Araupala Walauwa
Asmadala Walauwa
Arrachchi Walauwa
Athurupana Walauwa
Baminiwaththa Walauwa
Dodamthale Walauwa
Edanduwawa Walauwa
Mapitigama Mahawaththa Walauwa, Meedeniya, Kegalle
Halagiriya Walauwa
Handagama Walauwa
Harigala Walauwa
Kadigamuwa Walauwa
Kappagoda Walauwa
Kempitiya Walauwa
Keppetipola Walauwa
Kotagama Walauwa
Kumbal Oluwa Walauwa
Kumbaldiwela Walauwa
Leuke Walauwa
Madana Walauwa
Mahanthegama Walauwa
Makadawara Meddewatte Walauwa
Molligoda Walauwa
Malpandeniya Walauwa (Sriwardene Walauwa)
Nawa Uhangoda Walauwa
Polgasdeniya Walauwa
Rankothdiwela Walauwa[https://books.google.com/books?id=FVuurI2HbnMC&pg=PA193&lpg=PA193&dq=siribara+kuda+manike&source=bl&ots=45Va21lC8Z&sig=iZZg1S_RlGc2jGv5OSN0JZDyo78&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Bue5U_2jJKnx0gX2i4HIBg&ved=0CBQQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=siribara%20kuda%20manike&f=false The Date of Buddha's Death and Ceylon Chronology], By John M. Senaveratna, p.193 (Asian Educational Services,India) {{ISBN|9788120614987}}Twentieth Century Impressions of Ceylon, by Arnold Wright, pp.667-9 (Lloyd's Greater Britain Publishing Company) {{ISBN|978-8120613355}}
Udaththavan Walauwa
Valimanne Walauwa
Walgama Walauwa
Athurupane Walauwa Meepitiya Kegalle

Sath Korale Walauwas (Kurunegala District)

Kaudumunna walawwa (Belonged to a relative of Ehelepola Adigar)
Bogollagama Walauwa
Katupitiya Walauwa
Gopallawa Walauwa
Dangolle Walauwa, Boyagane
Palipana Walauwa
Balalla Walauwa
Moragollagama Walauwa
Rekawa Walauwa
Ralapanawa Walauwa
Moonemalle Walauwa
Sirigala Walauwa
Galabada Walauwa
Dodamkumbura Walauwa
Singhagiriya Walawa
Welagedara Walauwa
Weththewé Walauwa
Gajamadaara Walauwa
Peragasela Koralé Walauwa
Galwarama Walauwa
Mahagedara Walauwa
Ihala Walauwa (boyawalana)
Wele Walauwa (boyawalana)
Boyawalana Walauwa
Monnekulamé Walauwa
Kalalpitiyé Walauwa
Galgomuwé Walauwa
Madhurawé Walauwa
Rathmale Walauwa
Wadigamangawa Walauwa
Wewelwala Walauwa
Godawita Walauwa
Kadurugashena Tennakoon Walauwa
Hunukumbure Walauwa
Udugama Walauwa
Athapaththuwe Walauwa
Gajamadaara Walauwa
Wedande Walauwa, Demataluwa

Prominent Colombo Walauwas built in early 1800's

Wasala Walauwa (Belonged to the Tillekeratne Abeyesekere family. Notable occupants were Gate Mudaliyars Don Johannes Tillekeratne Abeyesekere and his son John Abraham Tillekeratne Abeyesekere, Colombo Mudaliyar at the time of his death in 1911)
Atapattu Walauwa, Kotahena (Belonged to Senewiratne Perera Wijegoonewardene. Notable occupant was Mudaliyar Henry Aloysius Senewiratne Perera Wijegoonewardena, Atapattu Muadaliya Colombo)
Malwatte Walauwa, Grandpass (Belonged to Gomis Abeyasinghe Weerakoon family. Notable occupants were Mudaliyars Simon Gomis Abeyasinghe Weerakoon and his son Gerard Gomis Wijayesinghe Weerakoon, Basnayake Mudaliyar)

Prominent Low-Country Walauwas

There have been a number of other prominent, well known walauwas in the southern areas of Ceylon, outside the Kandyan Kingdom. These walauwas comprised a mix of Sri Lankan, Portuguese, Dutch and English architecture.

Amarasuriya Walauwa, Unawatuna {{cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/seaskyclay/5319495965/|title=Amarasiri walawwa pics on flickr}}{{cite web|url=https://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2007/06/17/fea06.asp|title=In politics he had no malice, Sunday Observer(Sri Lanka), Retrieved on 29 June 2014}}
Atapattu Walawwa, Galle[http://www.nation.lk/edition/fine/item/11832-%E2%80%98enthusiast%E2%80%99s-guide%E2%80%99-to-unique-sri-lankan-real-estate.html ‘Enthusiast’s guide’ to unique Sri Lankan real estate], The Nation (Sri Lanka), 07 July 2014{{cite news|title=Of men of yore and a stately home| last=Sadanandan|first=Renuka|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120729/plus/of-men-of-yore-and-a-stately-home-7192.html|publisher=The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka), Retrieved on 29 July 2012}}
Bagatale Walauwa, Colombo 3[https://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2004/01/18/fea16.html Now a showcase of fabulous mansions] by Padma Edirisinghe, Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka), Retrieved on 25 June 2014[http://infolanka.com/org/srilanka/people/81.htm 112th death anniversary of C. H. de Soysa, patriot and philanthropist unequalled], by Dr. K. N. M. D. Cooray, Infolanka Features (Sri Lanka), Retrieved on 25 June 2014
Bethme Walawwa, Wehalla{{cite web|url=https://www.silumina.lk/2018/02/24/%E0%B7%83%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%AD%E0%B7%8A%E0%B6%B8%E0%B6%BD%E0%B7%8A-%E0%B6%BA%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%BA/%E0%B6%B6%E0%B7%99%E0%B6%AD%E0%B7%8A%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%99-%E0%B7%80%E0%B6%BD%E0%B7%80%E0%B7%8A%E0%B7%80%E0%B7%9A-%E0%B6%89%E0%B6%BB%E0%B6%AB%E0%B6%B8|title=Bethme walawwa}}
Boralugoda Walawwa[http://www.island.lk/2006/04/23/features9.html Vivienne - The making of a rebel], by Buddhika Kurukularatne, The Island (Sri Lanka), Retrieved on 29 June 2014
Bothale Walawwa, Mirigama[http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lkawgw/gen3001.html Senanayake Family],

Sri Lankan Sinhalese Family Genealogy, Retrieved on 25 June 2014[http://www.nation.lk/2008/11/02/newsfe3.htm Tracing the background of one of the most {{sic|influ|encial|nolink=yes|expected=influential}} families in Sri Lanka] by H.M. Thanuja Hitibandara, The Nation (Sri Lanka), Retrieved on 05 July 2014

Chevaliar Walauwa, Moratuwa {{cite web|url=https://plus.google.com/104423060554705271130/photos#104423060554705271130/photos|title=Chevalier walawwa on Google photos}}{{cite web|url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2007/08/09/news28.asp|title=Sebastianite Awards of Excellence, Daily News (Sri Lanka), Retrieved on 05 July 2014}}
Closenberg Walauwa, Galle {{cite web|url=http://defonseka.com/hist_closenberg01.html|title=closenberg guide}}
Gandhara Walauwa[http://defonseka.com/hist_closenberg02.htm The Perera-Abeywardena family], De Fonseka family on the web, Retrieved on 05 July 2014[https://books.google.com/books?id=glUwAQAAIAAJ&q=andrado The chieftains of Ceylon], by J. C. Van Sanden, pp.9, 31 & 78 (Navrang) {{ISBN|8170131243}}[http://www.defonseka.com/AD_danderado.htm D' Anderado Families], De Fonseka family on the web: sources of information, Retrieved on 05 July 2014
Horagolla Walauwa, Atthanagalla[http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lkawgw/gen1001.html Nilaperumal aka Kalukapuge], Sri Lankan Tamil/Sinhalese/Burgher Family Genealogy, Retrieved on 05 July 2014
Ihala Walauwa, Kotte{{cite web|url=http://www.defonseka.com/hist_kotte03g.htm|title=Ihala Walawwa, guide}}
Jayasinghe Walauwa, Ekala
Kataluwa Atadahewatte, Obeyesekere Maha Walawwa{{cite web|url=http://www.worldgenweb.org/lkawgw/gen3051.htm|title=Obeysekere Maha Walawwa}}
Kalutara Maha Walauwa[http://defonseka.com/ancestry_manueldias_andrady.htm The case of Manuel Dias Andrady], De Fonseka family on the web, Retrieved on 05 July 2014[https://books.google.com/books?id=sjJPZ-TUQzQC&q=Dias&pg=PA661 Description of the Great and Most Famous Isle of Ceylon], by Philip Baldaeus, pp.678-9 (Asian Educational Services,India) {{ISBN|8120611721}}[http://defonseka.com/ancestry_defonseka.htm The Varnakula Addittya Arasanilaitta De Fonseka family of Kalutara], De Fonseka family on the web, Retrieved on 05 July 2014
Kandawala Waluwa, Ratmalana
Kotalawala Walawwa
Maha Kappina Walauwa, Balapitiya[http://www.lankalibrary.com/geo/ehelepola.htm Ehelapola the great] by Dr. Mirando Abeysekere, The Island (Sri Lanka), Retrieved on 06 July 2014
Mahawelatenne Walauwa, Balangoda
Mandiyagoda Rathnasinghe Walauwa, Beliatta
Moratuwa Walauwa[http://www.island.lk/2001/03/04/featur02.html Philanthropist and Patriot; Charles Henry de Soysa], by Wimalasiri A. Fernando, The Island: Features (Sri Lanka), Retrieved on 07 July 2014[http://archives.dailynews.lk/2013/05/14/fea22.asp The Prince and Princess of Wales Colleges - Moratuwa: The seeming endlessness of the Soysa legacy] by Malathi Perera, Daily News (Sri Lanka), Retrieved on 07 July 2014
Matara Maha Walauwa
Nakulugamuwa Walawwa, Beliatta
Obeyesekere Walawa, Colombo 7
Pahala Walauwa, Barrack Street, Hambantota
Pattikara wasala walauwa, wadduwa
Punchi Kachcheriya walauwa, Pothupitiya
Ratnagiri Walawwa, Boralesgamuwa
Regina Walauwa, Colombo 7
Susew Walauwa Molligoda
Udaha Walauwa, Galkissa[http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lkawgw/gen3126.html De Saram Family], Sri Lanka Burgher/Sinhala Family Genealogy, Retrieved on 10 July 2014
Uda Waluwa, Barrack Street, Hambantota
Wasala Walauwa, Panadura[https://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2004/07/11/letters.html#let01 Is G. L. playing Puran Appu or Moratu Saman?], Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka), Retrieved on 08 July 2014
Wasala Walauwa, Terrace Street, Hambantota
Wickramasuriya Walauwa, Kathaluwa[https://books.google.com/books?id=glUwAQAAIAAJ&q=kataragama The chieftains of Ceylon], by J. C. Van Sanden, p.32 (Navrang) {{ISBN|8170131243}}[http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lkawgw/gen3164.html Wickremasuriya Family], Sri Lanka Sinhalese Family Genealogy, Retrieved on 09 July 2014

Decline and current states

The word "Walauwa" may not have a Sinhalese origin, it is unclear whether it was a Sinhalese word from the beginning, but this word may have been adapted from the Tamil word "Walaw". In Sinhalese, it gives a plural sound rather than the singular word "Walaw" which means "Mansion". The typical Sinhala term is 'Maha Gedhara'. The English word of "Walauwa" is, "Manor" or "Manor-House",and it's a large house with lands. The Walauwas and its owners were supported by the larger lands and estates they possessed. These were either land grants from Kings (since the beginning of the Sinhalese Kingdom until the Kandyan era) or government service (during the Colonial era) or acquired by successful enterprise and passed down though generations. Their owners were the landed elites of Ceylon, as such they gained a status of power and wealth. A notable feature of many of these walauwas, especially Kandyan walauwas was an interior open space/garden known as the 'medamidula'. There is another theory about Walauwas. "Walavum" means a place where a judgement is given. Those people who occupied the Walauwas had the authority to pass judgement over people with the authority provided by a Royal decree either Sinhala or English. The older walauwas were neither tiled (roof), very large or highly ornate as the king had placed certain restrictions and laws. Many of the walauwas beyond the jurisdiction of the king or after the fall of the Kandyan kingdom sprang up to be large and ornate, displaying architectural influences from beyond Sri Lanka and south India. Mansions replaced the walauwas in the urban areas towards the latter part of the nineteenth century. Though they were referred to as walauwas by the public, the owners usually referred to them with modern names. There are many large mansions of more recent origin which are not walauwas both in the Kandyan and the Low Country areas. This however has changed in the years after independence with the rise of a powerful middle class based on profession and enterprise. The elites held much power within the political cycles. The most significant change occurred in the 1970s with the socialist style land reforms that were bought into place. This limited private land ownership to fifty acres, and private home ownership to two houses. Most families sold off their lands or had them taken over by the government. They retained their Walauwas, yet over the years found it hard to maintain them, resulting in many falling into a dilapidated state, while some were razed to the ground such as the Maha Kappina Walauwa, and Ragama Walauwa which were constructed in the 16th century. Some were bought for state use or others have now been converted into hotels and Shopping complex such as the Ratwatte Walauwa, Rajamanthri Walauwa and the Nugawela Walauwa.

References

1. ^ Seneviratna, Anuradha; Polk, Benjiman (1992). Buddhist Monastic Architecture in Sri Lanka: The Woodland Shrine. Abhinav Publications. p. 110. {{ISBN|9788170172819}}.