The Culture of Poverty in an Agrarian Community in the Sri Lankan Context (with Special Reference to Ampara District)

Abstract

Poverty can be an individual issue and an increasing problem in society. This circumstance within a specific community over an extended period will further shape their culture. Lewis (1966) interprets the culture of poverty as a cultural idea constructed around the concept of poverty. Even though local farmers have been engaged in agriculture for many years, this research examines their lack of access to social and economic development, highlighting poverty as a research problem The general objective of the study was to identify how the culture of poverty is structured within an agrarian community in Sri Lanka. The applied anthropological study surveyed 60 farmers. The research sample was selected under the judgmental sampling method from Uhana, Dehiattakandiya and Sammanthure divisional secretariats. The study examined anthropological phenomena among sixty respondents from two distinct religious and social cultures: Sinhala-Buddhists from Dehiattakandiya, and Uhana divisions and Muslims from Sammanthurai divisional Secretariat Division. Based on the information provided by respondents, it appears that the younger generation was generally uninterested in farming. Farmers struggle with inadequate income from agriculture, relying on loans and mortgages from Samurdhi Bank or any rural banks. Only 21.1% cultivate vegetables, leaving them far from self-sufficient lifestyles. This economic crisis leads to unemployment and poverty, deeply ingrained in their culture. It should be taken into account that, although the Mahaweli Development Project aims to provide year-round water for agricultural activities and support farmers in maintaining their lands, the culture of poverty persists. Existing financial problems, as well as land that is not properly maintained, further reinforce the dependency mentality among farmers. This has contributed to the perpetuation of poverty. Accordingly, it appears that structural interventions alone are not sufficient to break the vicious cycle of poverty that has been entrenched in the community for a long time and its culture. In the study, 42% of the farmers still demonstrate traits of poverty’s culture despite attempts to improve their situation. The fact that a large portion of the population maintains a dependency mentality, despite declining poverty, illustrates how deeply poverty persists.

KEYWORDS: Agriculture, Culture of poverty, Farmers, Poverty, Oscar Lewis, Subculture