Exploring Rata Yakuma: Weaving Dance/Movement Therapy and a Sri Lankan Healing Ritual

Article Information

Creative Arts Educ Ther (2021) 7(2):230–244 DOI: 10.15212/CAET/2021/7/23

Exploring Rata Yakuma: Weaving Dance/Movement Therapy and a Sri Lankan Healing Ritual

Abstract

In the South Asian nation of Sri Lanka, dance-based rituals that promote healing for physical and psychological illnesses continue to be implemented island-wide. In this article, the Sri Lankan and American coauthors discuss their embodied exploration that resulted from almost two years of onsite collaboration in Sri Lanka, specifically their investigation of the low-country Rata Yakuma ritual performed for women experiencing pregnancy or infertility. We explored its relevance for community and personal wellbeing as well as potential intersections with dance/movement therapy. We discuss our experiences of being self-reflective while learning from each other and practicing cultural humility when adapting movements from ritual practices. Themes of finding strength, stability, sense of home, connecting with nature, increased connection to certain body parts, and shifting emotions all resulted from the collaborative process. The process culminated in a dance film to further express our embodied reflections, which can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/581258415/5d941344d3.

Keywords: Dance/movement therapy, Sri Lanka, Rata Yakuma, Low-country dance, Cross-cultural collaboration

摘要

在南亚国家斯里兰卡, 以舞蹈为基础的促进身体和心理疾病治疗的仪式在全岛持 续推广。本文中, 斯里兰卡和美国的合著者们讨论了他们在斯里兰卡近两年的实地合作 中所进行的具身性探索, 特别是他们对为经历怀孕或不孕的妇女举行的低地Rata Yakuma仪式的调查。合著者们探索了该仪式与社区和个人福祉的相关性, 以及与舞蹈/动作治疗的潜在交叉点。他们还讨论了他们在相互学习的同时进行自我反思的经验, 以及在从仪式实践中调整动作时实践文化谦卑的经验。找寻力量、稳定和家园感的主 题; 与自然的联系; 与身体某些部位联系的增强; 以及情绪的转变, 都是在这一合作过程中产生的结果。这个过程在一部舞蹈电影中达到了高潮, 以进 一步表达其具身性的反思, 影片可以在这里观看:https://vimeo.com/581258415/5d941344d3。

关键词： 舞蹈/动作治疗, 斯里兰卡, Rata Yakuma仪式, 低地舞蹈, 跨文化合作