An Anthropological Study on the Importance of Incest Taboos Associated with Sinhalese Traditional Marriage Customs in Social Control (With special reference to Aruggammana)

Abstract

Incest taboos are social ethics that create necessary control over sexual relations, marriage, and the family into which we are born. Marriages between brothers and sisters, parallel cousins, two generations, and blood relatives are all considered incest taboos. Sinhalese society has long used norms and values for social control. These incest taboo restrictions, along with family, marriage, and kinship, have played an important role in maintaining social control. The research problem addresses the loss of social control caused by the non-implementation of kinship, marriage rituals, and courtship restrictions in traditional Sinhalese society due to socio-cultural changes such as urbanization, commercialization, modernization, and westernization. The purpose of the research is to study the relationship between kinship restrictions and social control in marriage rituals. In Kegalle District, Galigamuwa Divisional Secretariat Division, No. 62 Aruggammana Gramaseva domain, a sample of 50 households, representing 15% of the 324 household units, was used for the research. As a descriptive study, data was collected through observation and structured interviews using judgment and random sampling. As the concept of kinship gradually disappeared, it was recognized that extended families made up a smaller percentage, 14%. Due to the increase in the number of nuclear families, extended marriages now account for 78%, while monogamous marriages account for 5%. Premarital sex has increased, with 88% of marriages being based on love, compared to the past. Overall, 10% of the area could be identified with incest taboos. Thus, it can be concluded that in order to control society, the personal control exerted by kinship, incest taboos, and marriage rituals must be re-established. To achieve this, programs should be organized to reaffirm the value of kinship relations and social values. Knowledge about the social values related to sexual and marital relations, especially among young children and youth, should be promoted. This can be effectively done in collaboration with schools and religious shrines.