Discover the Bola Attha (බෝල අත්ත) – where ancient wisdom meets practical perfection in traditional rice cultivation, more than just a cleaning tool, this specialized sacred broom transforms the humble act of sweeping into a spiritual ritual.

.

✽ Names

Bola Attha, Bōla Attha, (බෝල අත්ත) Bōl Attha (බෝල් අත්ත), Ball Attha, Bolattha (බෝලත්ත), (බෝල අත්ත, බෝලත්ත, බෝල් අත්ත in Sinhala) is rooted in Helabasa, the ancient language of Sri Lanka.

✽ What it is

The Bola Attha (Bōla Attha) – බෝල අත්ත is a specialized sacred broom used exclusively on the Kamatha (threshing floor) for multiple essential purposes during the rice harvesting process.

✓ Floor Preparation – Bōl Thabima (බෝල් තැබීම)

he Bolaththa sweeps away stones and leftover materials from the newly prepared cow dung and clay floor surface, ensuring the threshing area is perfectly clean.

✓ Chaff Removal – Kaatuwa Iwath Kirima (කාටුව ඉවත් කිරීම)

After threshing, it removes dust and leftover straw, separating the valuable grain from waste materials.

✓ Sacred Grain Collection (බැත ගොඩකිරිම)

When paddy grains scatter across the Kamatha during threshing, farmers use the Bolaththa to gather them efficiently. At this stage, the paddy transforms into Bhetha (බැත) – sacred paddy grains with special spiritual significance.

Farmers don’t use ordinary household brooms for this sacred process because they consider the entire threshing ritual to be holy. The paddy is treated as a sacred harvest, blessed by the gods. Using a specially made, dedicated broom honors this spiritual dimension and maintains the purity of the ceremonial process.

The Bolaththa isn’t just a cleaning tool – it’s a sacred instrument that bridges the practical and spiritual aspects of traditional rice cultivation.

Farmers begin by removing all the leaves from the selected shrub stems. The top portion of each plant naturally resembles a garden broom, featuring many small branches that fan out from the main stem. To create the finished broom, they take both the stem and these top branching parts, then carefully trim away any unnecessary branches. This selective pruning creates a more refined and functional sweeping tool, ensuring the Bolaththa has the right density and shape for effective use on the threshing floor.

Shrub Materials Used

Farmers craft the Bolaththa from various hardy shrub species. The most common choices include Kappetiya කැප්පෙටියා (The Carlton Gola), Korakaha කොරකහ (Memecylon umbellatum), Babila බැබිල, and Katupila කටුපිල.

Binding Materials

Strong vines serve as the binding agent to hold these sprigs together. Kala wel කලවැල් and Pamba wel පම්බ වැල් are the preferred choices, creating secure fastenings that remain intact throughout intensive threshing work.

The Science Behind Plant Selection

Farmers select perennial shrubs reaching 4-5 feet in height, particularly those from the Euphorbiaceae family and similar robust plant groups. These species possess three crucial qualities: exceptional durability for withstanding constant use, remarkable flexibility that allows bending without snapping, and natural resilience that prevents shattering during vigorous sweeping.

Natural Design Features

The chosen shrubs covered in a protective waxy coating, paired with distinctly hairy stems. This waxy layer provides moisture resistance and reduces wear, while the textured stems ensure a firm grip that prevents the broom from sliding during operation.

Traditional Wisdom in Action

This careful plant selection represents centuries of accumulated farming wisdom. Each generation of farmers understood that choosing the right materials determines whether their broom survives an entire harvest season or fails at the most critical moment.

Q: Is the Bolattha used for cleaning houses?

A: No, the Bolattha is never used for household cleaning. For domestic cleaning purposes, farmers create entirely different sweeping tools.

Q: What happens to the Bolattha after the harvest?

A: Farmers carefully store it for the next harvesting season or continue using it throughout the year when drying paddy. However, it’s always kept in a designated sacred space, separate from ordinary household items.