Walauwa or walawwa is the name given to a

feudal Feudalism, also known as the feudal system, was the combination of the legal, economic, military, cultural and political customs that flourished in Middle Ages, medieval Europe between the 9th and 15th centuries. Broadly defined, it was a wa ...

colonial Colonial or The Colonial may refer to: * Colonial, of, relating to, or characteristic of a colony or colony (biology) Architecture * American colonial architecture * French Colonial * Spanish Colonial architecture Automobiles * Colonial (1920 au ...

manor house A manor house was historically the main residence of the lord of the manor. The house formed the administrative centre of a manor in the European feudal system; within its great hall were held the lord's manorial courts, communal meals w ...

Sri Lanka Sri Lanka (, ; si, ශ්‍රී ලංකා, Śrī Laṅkā, translit-std=ISO (); ta, இலங்கை, Ilaṅkai, translit-std=ISO ()), formerly known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an ...

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 Tamil may refer to: * Tamils, an ethnic group native to India and some other parts of Asia ** Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka also called ilankai tamils **Tamil Malaysians, Tamil people native to Malaysia * Tamil language, nati ...

word ''valavu'', which denotes a compound or garden, and by implication, a large house with aristocratic connotations. The pinnacle of walauwas in the Sinhala social stratum is the ''wasala walauwa''. Wasala is derived from the Tamil ''vaasal'', which means an entrance. In the Sinhalese social hierarchy, a wasala walawa would typically be the ancestral residence of a

mudaliyar Thuluva Vellalar (Thondamandala Tuluva Vellalar), also known as Agamudaya Mudaliars and Arcot Mudaliars, is a caste found in northern Tamil Nadu, southern Andhra Pradesh and southern Karnataka, India. They were originally significant lando ...

. 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

veranda A veranda or verandah is a roofed, open-air gallery or porch, attached to the outside of a building. A veranda is often partly enclosed by a railing and frequently extends across the front and sides of the structure. Although the form ''veran ...

hs, 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

courtier A courtier () is a person who attends the royal court of a monarch or other royalty. The earliest historical examples of courtiers were part of the retinues of rulers. Historically the court was the centre of government as well as the official r ...

s (''radala''), members of the royal court in

Kandy Kandy ( si, මහනුවර ''Mahanuwara'', ; ta, கண்டி Kandy, ) is a major city in Sri Lanka located in the Central Province. It was the last capital of the ancient kings' era of Sri Lanka. The city lies in the midst of hills ...

. It was displaced by their colonial equivalents following the dissolution of the

Kingdom of Kandy The Kingdom of Kandy was a monarchy on the Sri Lanka, island of Sri Lanka, located in the central and eastern portion of the island. It was founded in the late 15th century and endured until the early 19th century. Initially a client kingdom ...

by the British. Meeduma Walauwa, Rambukkana, Sri Lanka

Sitting Room of Meeduma Walauwa, Rambukkana

Kandyan Walauwas

There were 19 main walauwas in the

Kandyan Kingdom The Kingdom of Kandy was a monarchy on the island of Sri Lanka, located in the central and eastern portion of the island. It was founded in the late 15th century and endured until the early 19th century. Initially a client kingdom of the Kin ...

of Ceylon. These were (in alphabetical order):Sri Lanka Walauwa Directory by Dr Mirando Obeysekara (Samanthi Book Publishers) * Arapola Walauwa (demolished) * Dehigama Walauwa (demolished - Central Finance Building) * Dullewe Walauwa (part of Queen's Hotel) * Dunuwila Walauwa (currently

Kandy Town Hall The Town Hall of Kandy is the headquarters of the Kandy Municipal Council and the office of the Mayor of Kandy. The building known as the ''Dunuwille Walawwe'' was acquired by the Municipal Council in 1870 at a court sanctioned auction, conducted ...

) *

Ehelepola Walauwa Ehelepola Walauwa () was the ancestral home (or walauwa) of Ehelepola Disawe and his family and is located in Kandy, Sri Lanka. In Sinhalese, ''walauwa'' refers to a feudal/colonial manor house or ancestral residence of a native Ceylonese headm ...

(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) * Pilamathalawa Walauwa (President's House) *

Ratwatte Walauwa The Kandy House is a nine-room, 200-year-old manor house which was built by the last Chief Minister of the Kandyan Kingdom in 1804. It was fully restored and opened in 2005 as an upmarket boutique hotel, situated 20 minutes from Kandy. Describ ...

(Chandra Silk House)

Other Prominent Walauwas in Kandyan Kingdom

Giragama Walauwa Kandy After Renovation - II

* Angunawela Walauwa, Peradeniya * Deldeniya Walauwa, Yatinuwara * Elapatha Walauwa, RathnapuraIddamalgoda 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) *

Maduwanwela Walawwa Maduwanwela Walawwa is a Walauwa located in Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka. The Walawwa is in the town of Maduwanwela, which lies between Embilipitiya and Suriyakanda, approximately from Colombo. History Maduwanwela Wal ...

, Kolonne * Mahawelatenne Walauwa, Balangodaලෝකයේ පළමු අගමැතිනිය බිහිකළ මහවලතැන්න වලව්ව
Lankadeepa (Sri Lanka), Retrieved on 25 June 2014 *Welivita waththe walauwa,Tumpane *Meeduma Walauwa, Rambukkana *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)

The Sathara Korale of Ceylon had 30 main walauwas, according to the Sathara Korale Viththi Grantha. They are listed alphabetically after each other. * 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 * Nawa Uhangoda Walauwa * Polgasdeniya Walauwa * Rankothdiwela WalauwaThe Date of Buddha's Death and Ceylon Chronology
By John M. Senaveratna, p.193 (Asian Educational Services,India) Twentieth Century Impressions of Ceylon, by Arnold Wright, pp.667-9 (Lloyd's Greater Britain Publishing Company) * Udaththavan Walauwa * Valimanne Walauwa * Walgama Walauwa * Athurupane Walauwa Meepitiya Kegalle

Sath Korale Walauwas (Kurunegala District)

* 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 * Wewelwala Walauwa * Godawita Walauwa * Hunukumbure Walauwa * Udugama Walauwa * Athapaththuwe Walauwa * Gajamadaara Walauwa * Wedande Walauwa, Demataluwa

Prominent Low-Country Walauwas

There have been a number of other prominent, well known walauwas in the southern areas of Ceylon, outside the

. These walauwas comprised a mix of Sri Lankan,

Portuguese Portuguese may refer to: * anything of, from, or related to the country and nation of Portugal ** Portuguese cuisine, traditional foods ** Portuguese language, a Romance language *** Portuguese dialects, variants of the Portuguese language ** Portu ...

Dutch Dutch commonly refers to: * Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands * Dutch people () * Dutch language () Dutch may also refer to: Places * Dutch, West Virginia, a community in the United States * Pennsylvania Dutch Country People E ...

and

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

architecture. * Amarasuriya Walauwa, Unawatuna * Atapattu Walawwa,

Galle Galle ( si, ගාල්ල, translit=Gālla; ta, காலி, translit=Kāli) (formerly Point de Galle) is a major city in Sri Lanka, situated on the southwestern tip, from Colombo. Galle is the provincial capital and largest city of Souther ...

‘Enthusiast’s guide’ to unique Sri Lankan real estate
The Nation (Sri Lanka), 07 July 2014 * Bagatale Walauwa, Colombo 3 * Bethme Walawwa, Wehalla * Boralugoda Walawwa *

Bothale Walawwa Bothale Walauwa (''also known as'' Bothale) is a large bungalow (as mansions are referred to locally) in Bothale Ihalagama, Western Province, Sri Lanka, Western Province, Sri Lanka. The large single storied house was built by Don Spater Senanayak ...

, Mirigama * Chevaliar Walauwa, Moratuwa * Closenberg Walauwa, Galle * Gandhara WalauwaThe chieftains of Ceylon
by J. C. Van Sanden, pp.9, 31 & 78 (Navrang) *

Horagolla Walauwa Horagolla Walauwa (''also known as'' Horagolla) is a large bungalow (as mansions are referred to locally) in Atthanagalla, Western Province, Sri Lanka. A stately home built by Sir Solomon Dias Bandaranaike after his appointment as Maha Mudali ...

, Atthanagalla * Ihala Walauwa, Kotte * Jayasinghe Waluwa, Ekala * Kataluwa Atadahewatte, Obeyesekere Maha Walawwa * Kalutara Maha Walauwa * Kandawala Waluwa, Ratmalana * Kotalawala Walawwa * Maha Kappina Walauwa, Balapitiya * Mahawelatenne Walauwa, Balangoda * Mandiyagoda Rathnasinghe Walauwa, Beliatta * Moratuwa Walauwa *Matara Maha Walauwa *Nakulugamuwa Walawwa, Beliatta *

Obeyesekere Walawa Obeyesekere Walauwa ''aka'' Maligawa (Sinhalese: Palace) is a large bungalow (as mansions are erroneously referred to locally) in Colombo, Sri Lanka. A stately home in the Tropical Neoclassical style, it was used as a town house by the Obeyesekere ...

, Colombo 7 * Pahala Walauwa, Barrack Street, Hambantota *Pattikara wasala walauwa, wadduwa *Punchi Kachcheriya walauwa, Pothupitiya * Ratnagiri Walawwa, Boralesgamuwa *

Regina Walauwa College House is the administrative center of the University of Colombo, situated in the Cinnamon Gardens suburb of Colombo, it is a national heritage site.

, Colombo 7 *Susew Walauwa Molligoda * Udaha Walauwa, Galkissa * Uda Waluwa, Barrack Street, Hambantota * Wasala Walauwa, Panadura * Wasala Walauwa, Terrace Street, Hambantota *Wickramasuriya Walauwa, Kathaluwa 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

, 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. .

External links

All about Walavvas
{{coord missing, Sri Lanka Kingdom of Kandy Houses in Sri Lanka Manor houses in Sri Lanka