Sinhalese people Language and literature what language did the sinhalese people use? The Sinhalese speak Sinhala, also known as "Helabasa"; is it a widely known language? I don't know. Are there any other interesting aspects about this article? Folk tales like Mahadana Muttha saha Golayo and Kawate Andare continue to entertain children today.
what were the folk tales about?
what were the folk tales of the Sinhalese people about?
The Sinhalese speak Sinhala, also known as "Helabasa"; this language has two varieties, spoken and written. Sinhala is an Indo-Aryan language within the broader group of Indo-European languages. The language was brought to Sri Lanka by the ancestors of the Sinhalese from northern India who settled on the island in the 6th century BCE. Sinhala developed in a way different from the other Indo-Aryan languages because of the geographic separation from its Indo-Aryan sister languages. Sinhala was influenced by many languages, prominently Pali, the sacred language of Southern Buddhism, and Sanskrit. Many early Sinhala texts such as the Hela Atuwa were lost after their translation into Pali. Other significant Sinhala texts include Amavatura, Kavu Silumina, Jathaka Potha and Sala Liheeniya. Sinhala has also adopted many loanwords of foreign origin, including from many Indian languages and colonial languages Portuguese, Dutch, and English.  Sandesha Kavyas written by Buddhist priests of Sri Lanka are regarded as some of the most sophisticated and versatile works of literature in the world. The Sinhala language was mainly inspired by Sanskrit and Pali, and many words of the Sinhala language derive from these languages. Today some English words too have come in as a result of the British occupation during colonial times, and the exposure to foreign cultures through television and Hollywood movies. Additionally many Dutch and Portuguese words can be seen in the coastal areas.  Folk tales like Mahadana Muttha saha Golayo and Kawate Andare continue to entertain children today. Mahadana Muttha tells the tale of a fool cum Pundit who travels around the country with his followers (Golayo) creating mischief through his ignorance. Kawate Andare tells the tale of a witty court jester and his interactions with the royal court and his son.  In the modern period, Sinhala writers such as Martin Wickremasinghe and G. B. Senanayake have drawn widespread acclaim. Other writers of repute include Mahagama Sekera and Madewela S. Ratnayake. Martin Wickramasinghe wrote the immensely popular children's novel Madol Duwa. Munadasa Cumaratunga's Hath Pana is also widely known. CANNOTANSWER
Mahadana Muttha tells the tale of a fool cum Pundit who travels around the country with his followers (Golayo) creating mischief through his ignorance.
Sinhalese people () are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group native to the island of Sri Lanka. They were historically known as Hela people (). They constitute about 75% of the Sri Lankan population and number greater than 16.2 million. The Sinhalese identity is based on language, cultural heritage and nationality. The Sinhalese people speak Sinhala, an insular Indo-Aryan language, and are predominantly Theravada Buddhists, although a minority of Sinhalese follow branches of Christianity and 
other religions. Since 1815, they were broadly divided into two respective groups: The 'Up-country Sinhalese' in the central mountainous regions, and the 'Low-country Sinhalese' in the coastal regions; although both groups speak the same language, they are distinguished as they observe different cultural customs.

According to the Mahavamsa and the Dipavamsa, a 3rd–5th century treatise written in Pali by Buddhist monks of the Anuradhapura Maha Viharaya in Sri Lanka, the Sinhalese descend from settlers who came to the island in 543 BCE from Sinhapura led by Prince Vijaya who mixed with the indigenous Yakka and later settlers from the Pandya kingdom.

Etymology
From the Sanskrit word Sinhala, meaning literally "of lions".

The Mahavamsa records the origin of the Sinhalese people and related historical events. It traces the historical origin of the Sinhalese people back to the first king who mentioned in the documentary history of Sri Lanka, Vijaya, who is the son of Sinhabahu (Sanskrit meaning 'Sinha' (lion) + 'bahu' (hands, feet), the ruler of Sinhapura. Some versions suggest Vijaya is the grandson of Sinhabahu. According to the Mahavamsa, Sinhabahu was the son of princess Suppadevi of Vanga, who copulated with a lion and gave birth to a daughter called Sinhasivali and to a son, Sinhabahu, whose hands and feet were like the paws of a lion and who had the strength of a lion. King Vijaya, the lineage of Sinhabahu, according to the Mahavamsa and other historical sources, arrived on the island of Tambapanni (Sri Lanka) and gave origin to the lion people, Sinhalese.

The story of the arrival of Prince Vijaya in Sri Lanka and the origin of the Sinhalese people is also depicted in the Ajanta caves, in a mural of cave number 17. According to Arisen Ahubudu, there were four major clans of "hela" in ancient Sri Lanka even before the arrival of Prince Vijaya, and that Sri Lanka was called as "Siv hela" (siv=four in the Sinhala language) and later it was changed into "Sinhala".

History

The early recorded history of the Sinhalese is chronicled in two documents, the Mahavamsa, written in Pāli around the 4th century CE, and the later Culavamsa (the first segment probably penned in the 13th century CE by the Buddhist monk Dhammakitti). These are ancient sources that cover the histories of the powerful ancient Sinhalese kingdoms of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa which lasted for 1500 years. The Mahavamsa describes the existence of fields of rice and reservoirs, indicating a well-developed agrarian society.

Pre Anuradhapura period

According to Mahavamsa, Prince Vijaya and his 700 followers left Suppāraka, landed on the island at a site believed by historians to be in the district of Puttalam, south of modern-day Mannar and founded the Kingdom of Thambapanni.  It is recorded the Vijaya made his landing on the day of Buddha's Parinirvana. Vijaya claimed Tambapanni his capital and soon the whole island come under this name. Tambapanni was originally inhabited and governed by Yakkhas, having their capital at Sirīsavatthu and their queen Kuveni. According to the Samyutta Commentary, Tambapanni was one hundred leagues in extent.

At the end of his reign, Vijaya, having trouble choosing a successor, sent a letter to the city of his ancestors, Sinhapura, in order to invite his brother Sumitta to take over the throne. However, Vijaya had died before the letter had reached its destination, so the elected minister of the people Upatissa, the Chief government minister or prime minister and leading chief among the Sinhalese became regent and acted as regent for a year. After his coronation, which was held in the Kingdom of Tambapanni, he left it, building another one, bearing his own name. While he was king, Upatissa established the new capital Upatissa, in which the kingdom was moved to from the Kingdom of Tambapanni. When Vijaya's letter arrived, Sumitta had already succeeded his father as king of his country, and so he sent his son Panduvasdeva to rule Upatissa Nuwara.

Upatissa Nuwara was seven or eight miles further north of the Kingdom of Tambapanni.
It was named after the regent king Upatissa, who was the prime minister of Vijaya, and was founded in 505 BC after the death of Vijaya and the end of the Kingdom of Tambapanni.

Anuradhapura period

In 377 BC, King Pandukabhaya (437–367 BC) moved the capital to Anuradhapura and developed it into a prosperous city. Anuradhapura (Anurapura) was named after the minister who first established the village and after a grandfather of Pandukabhaya who lived there. The name was also derived from the city's establishment on the auspicious asterism called Anura. Anuradhapura was the capital of all the monarchs who ruled from the dynasty.

Rulers such as Dutthagamani, Valagamba, and Dhatusena are noted for defeating the South Indians and regaining control of the kingdom. Other rulers who are notable for military achievements include Gajabahu I, who launched an invasion against the invaders, and Sena II, who sent his armies to assist a Pandyan prince.

Polonnaruwa period

During the Middle Ages Sri Lanka was well known for its agricultural prosperity under king Parakramabahu in Polonnaruwa during which period the island was famous around the world as the rice mill of the east.

Transitional period

Later in the 13th century the country's administrative provinces were divided into independent kingdoms and chieftaincies: Kingdom of Sitawaka, Kingdom of Kotte, Jaffna Kingdom and the Kandyan kingdom. The invasion by the Hindu king Magha in the 13th century led to migrations by the Buddhists (mostly Sinhalese) to areas not under his control. This migration was followed by a period of conflict among the Sinhalese chiefs who tried to exert political supremacy. Parakramabahu VI, a Sinhalese king invaded the Jaffna Kingdom and conquered it, bringing the entire country back under the Sinhalese kingdom. Trade also increased during this period, as Sri Lanka began to trade cinnamon and a large number of Muslim traders were bought into the island.

In the 15th century a Kandyan Kingdom formed which divided the Sinhalese politically into low-country and up-country. In this period, the Sinhalese caste structure absorbed recent Dravidian Hindu immigrants from South India leading to the emergence of three new Sinhalese caste groups - the Salagama, the Durava and the Karava.

Modern history

The Sinhalese have a stable birth rate and a population that has been growing at a slow pace relative to India and other Asian countries.

Society

Demographics

Sri Lanka

Within Sri Lanka the majority of the Sinhalese reside in the South, Central, Sabaragamuwa and Western parts of the country. This coincides with the largest Sinhalese populations areas in Sri Lanka. Cities with more than 90% Sinhalese population include Hambantota, Galle, Gampaha, Kurunegala, Monaragala, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.

Diaspora

Sinhalese people have emigrated out to many countries for a variety of reasons. The larger diaspora communities are situated in the United Kingdom, Australia, United States and Canada among others. In addition to this there are many Sinhalese, who reside in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Europe, temporarily in connection with employment and/or education. They are often employed as guest workers in the Middle East and professionals in the other regions.

The largest population centres of the Sinhalese diaspora are mainly situated in Europe, North America and Australia. The city of Melbourne contains just under half of the Sri Lankan Australians. The 2011 census recorded 86,412 Sri Lanka born in Australia. There are 73,849 Australians (0.4 of the population) who reported having Sinhalese ancestry in 2006. Sinhala was also reported to be the 29th-fastest-growing language in Australia (ranking above Somali but behind Hindi and Belarusian). Sinhalese Australians have an exceptionally low rate of return migration to Sri Lanka. In the 2011 Canadian Census, 7,220 people identified themselves as of Sinhalese ancestry, out of 139,415 Sri Lankans. There are a small number of Sinhalese people in India, scattered around the country, but mainly living in and around the northern and southern regions. Sri Lankan New Zealanders comprised 3% of the Asian population of New Zealand in 2001. The numbers arriving continued to increase, and at the 2018 census there were over 16,000 Sri Lankans living in New Zealand among those 9,171 were Sinhalese.

In the U.S, the Sinhalese number about 12,000 people. The New York City Metropolitan Area contains the largest Sri Lankan community in the United States, receiving the highest legal permanent resident Sri Lankan immigrant population, followed by Central New Jersey and the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Many Sinhalese have migrated to Italy since the 1970s. Italy was attractive to the Sinhalese due to perceived easier employment opportunities and entry, compared to other European countries. It is estimated that there are 30,000-33,000 Sinhalese in Italy. The major Sinhalese communities in Italy are located in Lombardia (In the districts Loreto and Lazzaretto), Milan, Lazio, Rome, Naples, and Southern Italy (Particularly Palermo, Messina and Catania). It should be noted however that many countries census list Sri Lankan which also includes Sri Lankan Tamils so the numbers of just Sinhalese are not as accurate when the census states Sri Lankan and not Sinhalese. Though Sinhalese people in particular and Sri Lankans in general have migrated to the UK over the centuries beginning from the colonial times, the number of Sinhalese people in the UK cannot be estimated accurately due to inadequacies of census in the UK. The UK government does not record statistics on the basis of language or ethnicity and all Sri Lankans are classified into one group as Asian British or Asian Other.

Language and literature

Sinhalese people speak Sinhala, also known as "Helabasa"; this language has two varieties, spoken and written. Sinhala is an Indo-Aryan language within the broader group of Indo-European languages. The early form of the language was brought to Sri Lanka by the ancestors of the Sinhalese people from northern India who settled on the island in the 6th century BCE. Sinhala developed in a way different from the other Indo-Aryan languages because of the geographic separation from its Indo-Aryan sister languages. It was influenced by many languages, prominently Pali, the sacred language of Southern Buddhism, Telugu and  Sanskrit. Many early texts in the language such as the Hela Atuwa were lost after their translation into Pali. Other significant Sinhala texts include Amāvatura, Kavu Silumina, Jathaka Potha and Sala Liheeniya. Sinhala has also adopted many loanwords of foreign origin, including from many Indian such as Tamil and European languages such as Portuguese, Dutch, and English.

Sandesha Kavyas written by Buddhist priests of Sri Lanka are regarded as some of the most sophisticated and versatile works of literature in the world. The Sinhala language was mainly inspired by Sanskrit and Pali, and many words of the Sinhala language derive from these languages. Today some English words too have come in as a result of the British occupation during colonial times, and the exposure to foreign cultures through television and foreign films. Additionally many Dutch and Portuguese words can be seen in the coastal areas. Sinhalese people, depending on where they live in Sri Lanka, may also additionally speak English and or Tamil. According to the 2012 Census 23.8% or 3,033,659 Sinhalese people also spoke English and 6.4% or 812,738 Sinhalese people also spoke Tamil. In the Negombo area bilingual fishermen who generally identify themselves as Sinhalese also speak the Negombo Tamil dialect. This dialect has undergone considerable convergence with spoken Sinhala.

Folk tales like Mahadana Muttha saha Golayo and Kawate Andare continue to entertain children today. Mahadana Muttha tells the tale of a fool cum Pundit who travels around the country with his followers (Golayo) creating mischief through his ignorance. Kawate Andare tells the tale of a witty court jester and his interactions with the royal court and his son.

In the modern period, Sinhala writers such as Martin Wickremasinghe and G. B. Senanayake have drawn widespread acclaim. Other writers of repute include Mahagama Sekera and Madewela S. Ratnayake. Martin Wickramasinghe wrote the immensely popular children's novel Madol Duwa. Munadasa Cumaratunga's Hath Pana is also widely known.

Religion

The form of Buddhism in Sri Lanka is known as Theravada (school of elders). The Pali chronicles (e.g., the Mahavansa) claim that the Sinhalese as an ethnic group are destined to preserve and protect Buddhism. In 1988 almost 93% of the Sinhala speaking population in Sri Lanka were Buddhist. Observations of current religious beliefs and practices demonstrate that the Sinhalese, as a religious community, have a complex worldview as Buddhists. Due to the proximity and on some occasions similarity of certain doctrines, there are many areas where Buddhists and Hindus share religious views and practices. Sinhalese Buddhists have adopted religious elements from Hindu traditions in their religious practices. Some of these practices may relate to ancient indigenous beliefs and traditions on spirits (folk religion), and the worship of Hindu deities. Some of these figures are used in healing rituals and may be native to the island. Gods and goddess derived from Hindu deities are worshiped by Sinhalese. Kataragama Deviyo from Kartikeya, Upulvan from Vishnu and Ayyanayake from Aiyanar can be named as examples. Though these gods take the same place as their Hindu counterparts in mythology, some of their aspects are different compared to the original gods.

Prominent Sri Lankan anthropologists Gananath Obeyesekere and Kitsiri Malalgoda used the term "Protestant Buddhism" to describe a type of Buddhism that appeared among the Sinhalese in Sri Lanka as a response to Protestant Christian missionaries and their evangelical activities during the British colonial period. This kind of Buddhism involved emulating the Protestant strategies of organising religious practices. They saw the need to establish Buddhist schools for educating Buddhist youth and organising Buddhists with new organisations such as the Young Men's Buddhist Association, as well as printing pamphlets to encourage people to participate in debates and religious controversies to defend Buddhism.

Christianity
There is a significant Sinhalese Christian community, in the maritime provinces of Sri Lanka. Christianity was brought to the Sinhalese by Portuguese, Dutch, and British missionary groups during their respective periods of rule. Most Sinhalese Christians are Roman Catholic; a minority are Protestant. Their cultural centre is Negombo.

Religion is considered very important among the Sinhalese. According to a 2008 Gallup poll, 99% of Sri Lankans considered religion an important aspect of their daily lives.

Genetics

Modern studies point towards a predominantly Bengali contribution and a minor Tamil influence. Gujarati and Punjabi lineages are also visible. In relation to the former, other studies also show the Sinhalese possess some genetic admixture from Southeast Asian populations, especially from Austroasiatic groups. Certain Y-DNA and mtDNA haplogroups and genetic markers of immunoglobulin among the Sinhalese, for example, show Southeast Asian genetic influences many of which are also found among certain Northeast Indian populations to whom the Sinhalese are genetically related.

Culture

Sinhalese culture is a unique one dating as far back as 2600 years and has been nourished by Theravada Buddhism. Its main domains are sculpture, fine arts, literature, dancing, poetry and a wide variety of folk beliefs and rituals traditionally. Ancient Sinhala stone sculpture and inscriptions are known worldwide and is a main foreign attraction in modern tourism. Sigirirya is famous for its frescoes. Folk poems were sung by workers to accompany their work and narrate the story of their lives. Ideally these poems consisted of four lines and, in the composition of these poems, special attention had been paid to the rhyming patterns. Buddhist festivals are dotted by unique music using traditionally Sinhalese instruments. More ancient rituals like  (devil exorcism) continue to enthrall audiences today and often praised and invoked the good powers of the Buddha and the gods in order to exorcise the demons.

Folklore and national mythology
According to the Mahavamsa, the Sinhalese are descended from the exiled Prince Vijaya and his party of seven hundred followers who arrived on the island in 543 BCE. Vijaya and his followers were said to have arrived in Sri Lanka after being exiled from the city of Sinhapura in Bengal. The modern Sinhalese people were found genetically to be most closely related to the people of North-East India (Bengal). It is thought throughout Sri Lanka's history, since the founding of the Sinhalese in the 5th century BC that an influx of Indians from North India came to the island. This is further supported from Sinhala being part of the Indo-Aryan language group.

Traditionally during recreation the Sinhalese wear a sarong (sarama in Sinhala). Men may wear a long-sleeved shirt with a sarong. Clothing varies by region for women. Low country Sinhalese women wear a white Long sleeved jacket, and a tight wrap around skirt, which usually is embedded with a floral or pattern design. As for the up country Sinhalese, women wear a similar outfit, but with a puffed up shoulder jacket, and a tucked in frill that lines the top of the skirt (Reda and Hatte in Sinhala). Traditionally, high caste Kandyan women wear a Kandyan style sari, which is similar to the Maharashtrian sari, with the drape but with a frill lining the bottom half and sometimes puffed up sleeves. It’s also called an Osariya. The low country high caste women wear a South Indian style saree. Within the more populated areas, Sinhalese men also wear Western-style clothing — wearing suits while the women wear skirts and blouses. For formal and ceremonial occasions women wear the traditional Kandyan (Osariya) style, which consists of a full blouse which covers the midriff completely, and is partially tucked in at the front. However, modern intermingling of styles has led to most wearers baring the midriff. The Kandyan style is considered as the national dress of Sinhalese women. In many occasions and functions, even the saree plays an important role in women's clothing and has become the de facto clothing for female office workers especially in government sector. An example of its use is the uniform of air hostesses of Sri Lankan Airlines.

Cuisine

Sinhalese cuisine is one of the most complex cuisines of South Asia. As a major trade hub, it draws influence from colonial powers that were involved in Sri Lanka and by foreign traders. Rice, which is consumed daily, can be found at any occasion, while spicy curries are favourite dishes for lunch and dinner. Some of the Sri Lankan dishes have striking resemblance to Kerala cuisine, which could be due to the similar geographic and agricultural features with Kerala.  A well-known rice dish with Sinhalese is Kiribath, meaning ‘milk rice’. In addition to , Sinhalese eat , chopped leaves mixed with grated coconut and red onions. Coconut milk is found in most Sri Lankan dishes to give the cuisine its unique flavour.

Sri Lanka has long been renowned for its spices. The best known is cinnamon which is native to Sri Lanka.  In the 15th and 16th centuries, spice and ivory traders from all over the world who came to Sri Lanka brought their native cuisines to the island, resulting in a rich diversity of cooking styles and techniques. Lamprais, rice boiled in stock with a special curry, accompanied by frikkadels (meatballs), all of which is then wrapped in a banana leaf and baked as a Dutch-influenced Sri Lankan dish. Dutch and Portuguese sweets also continue to be popular. British influences include roast beef and roast chicken. Also, the influence of the Indian cooking methods and food have played a major role in what Sri Lankans eat.

The island nation's cuisine mainly consists of boiled or steamed rice served with curry. This usually consists of a main curry of fish or chicken, as well as several other curries made with vegetables, lentils and even fruit curries. Side-dishes include pickles, chutneys and . The most famous of these is the coconut sambol, made of ground coconut mixed with chili peppers, dried Maldive fish and lime juice. This is ground to a paste and eaten with rice, as it gives zest to the meal and is believed to increase appetite.

Art and architecture

Many forms of Sri Lankan arts and crafts take inspiration from the island's long and lasting Buddhist culture which in turn has absorbed and adopted countless regional and local traditions. In most instances Sri Lankan art originates from religious beliefs, and is represented in many forms such as painting, sculpture, and architecture. One of the most notable aspects of Sri Lankan art are caves and temple paintings, such as the frescoes found at Sigiriya, and religious paintings found in temples in Dambulla and Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy. Other popular forms of art have been influenced by both natives as well as outside settlers. For example, traditional wooden handicrafts and clay pottery are found around the hill country while Portuguese-inspired lacework and Indonesian-inspired Batik have become notable. It has many different and beautiful drawings.

Developed upon Indo-Aryan architectural skills in the late 6th century BCE Sinhalese people who lived upon greater kingdoms such as Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa have built so many architectural examples such as Ruwanwelisaya, Jetavanaramaya - second tallest brick building in the ancient world after Great Pyramid of Giza, and Abayagiriya - third tallest brick building in the ancient world.  And also with the ancient hydraulic technology which is also unique to Sinhalese people to build ancient tanks, systematic ponds with fountains moats and Irrigational reservoirs such as Parakrama Samudra, Kaudulla and Kandalama. Sigiriya which is considered by many as the 8th wonder of the world, it is a combination of natural and man made fortress, which consists so many architectural aspects.

Music

There are extensive folk poems relating to specific jobs of the ancient society. These poems were communal songs which had a rhythm that were sung when performing day-to-day tasks like harvesting and sowing.

Concerning popular music, Ananda Samarakoon developed the reflective and poignant Sarala gee style with his work in the late 1930s/early 1940s. He has been followed by artists of repute such as Sunil Shantha, W. D. Amaradeva, Premasiri Khemadasa, Nanda Malini, Victor Ratnayake, Austin Munasinghe, T. M. Jayaratne, Sanath Nandasiri, Sunil Edirisinghe, Neela Wickremasinghe, Gunadasa Kapuge, Malini Bulathsinghala and Edward Jayakody.

Film and theatre

Dramatist Ediriweera Sarachchandra revitalised the drama form with Maname in 1956. The same year, film director Lester James Peries created the artistic masterwork Rekava which sought to create a uniquely Sinhalese cinema with artistic integrity. Since then, Peries and other directors like Vasantha Obeysekera, Dharmasena Pathiraja, Mahagama Sekera, W. A. B. de Silva, Dharmasiri Bandaranayake, Sunil Ariyaratne, Siri Gunasinghe, G. D. L. Perera, Piyasiri Gunaratne, Titus Thotawatte, D. B. Nihalsinghe, Ranjith Lal, Dayananda Gunawardena, Mudalinayake Somaratne, Asoka Handagama, and Prasanna Vithanage have developed an artistic Sinhalese cinema. Sinhala cinema is often made colourful with the incorporation of songs and dance adding more uniqueness to the industry.

In the recent years high budget films like Aloko Udapadi, Aba (film) and Maharaja Gemunu based on Sinhalese epic historical stories gain huge success.

Performing arts

Performing arts of the Sinhalese people can be categorised into few groups:

Kandyan dance consist of 18 Wannam (dance routines) featuring behaviours of various animals such as elephant, eagle, cobra, monkey, peacock and rabbit, mainly performing in the annual Perahara pageant in Sri Dalada Maligawa Kandy.
Pahatharata dance have a significant dancing style which is used to cure illnesses and spiritual clarification. The main feature of these dances is dancers wear masks representing various gods and demons, and use elements such as fire and water to bless people.
Sabaragamuwa dances have also a significant dancing style, mainly to entertain people.
Folk music and dances differ according to the casts of Sinhalese people and also some times regionally—mainly popular among small children, especially girls. These arts are widely performed during the Sinhalese New Year period.

Martial arts

Angampora is the traditional martial art of the Sinhalese people. It combines combat techniques, self-defence, sport, exercise and meditation. Key techniques observed in Angampora are: Angam, which incorporates hand-to-hand fighting, and Illangam, which uses indigenous weapons such as Velayudaya, staves, knives and swords. Its most distinct feature is the use of pressure point attacks to inflict pain or permanently paralyse the opponent. Fighters usually make use of both striking and grappling techniques, and fight until the opponent is caught in a submission lock that they cannot escape. Usage of weapons is discretionary. Perimeters of fighting are defined in advance, and in some of the cases is a pit. Angampora became nearly extinct after the country came under British rule in 1815, but survived in a few families until the country regained independence.

Science and education

The Sinhalese have a long history of literacy and formal learning. Instruction in basic fields like writing and reading by Buddhist Monks pre-date the birth of Christ. This traditional system followed religious rule and was meant to foster Buddhist understanding. Training of officials in such skills as keeping track of revenue and other records for administrative purposes occurred under this institution.

Technical education such as the building of reservoirs and canals was passed down from generation to generation through home training and outside craft apprenticeships.

The arrival of the Portuguese and Dutch and the subsequent colonisation maintained religion as the centre of education though in certain communities under Catholic and Presbyterian hierarchy. The British in the 1800s initially followed the same course. Following 1870 however they began a campaign for better education facilities in the region. Christian missionary groups were at the forefront of this development contributing to a high literacy among Christians.

By 1901 schools in the South and the North were well tended. The inner regions lagged behind however. Also, English education facilities presented hurdles for the general populace through fees and lack of access.

Medicine
Traditional Sinhalese villages in early days had at least one chief Medical personnel called Weda Mahaththaya (Doctor). These people practice their clinical activities by inheritance. Sinhalese Medicine resembles some of Ayurvedic practices in contrast for some treatments they use Buddhist Chantings (Pirith) in order to strengthen the effectiveness.

According to the Mahavamsa, the ancient chronicle, Pandukabhaya of Sri Lanka (437 BC – 367 BC) had lying-in-homes and Ayurvedic hospitals (Sivikasotthi-Sala) built in various parts of the country. This is the earliest documentary evidence we have of institutions specifically dedicated to the care of the sick anywhere in the world. Mihintale Hospital is the oldest in the world.

See also
 List of Sinhalese people
 Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism

References

Citations

Sources 

 De Silva, K. M. History of Sri Lanka (Univ. of Calif. Press, 1981)
 Gunasekera, Tamara. Hierarchy and Egalitarianism: Caste, Class, and Power in Sinhalese Peasant Society (Athlone, 1994).
 Roberts, Michael. Sri Lanka: Collective Identities Revisited (Colombo-Marga Institute, 1997).
 Wickremeratne, Ananda. Buddhism and Ethnicity in Sri Lanka: A Historical Analysis (New Delhi-Vikas Publishing House, 1995).

External links 

 CIA Factbook-Sri Lanka
 Department of Census and Statistics-Sri Lanka
 Ethnologue-Sinhala, a language of Sri Lanka
 CIA Factbook-Sri Lanka
 Sinhalese
 Who are the Sinhalese

 
Buddhist communities of Sri Lanka
Ethnic groups in Sri Lanka
Ethnic groups in the Indian Ocean
Indo-Aryan peoples
Sinhalese diaspora
Sinhalese culture
A region-by-region list of fairy and folk tales collected and retold by Ruth Manning-Sanders (1886–1988). Regions (or cultural groups) are as listed by Manning-Sanders in either the table of contents, the forewords or the introductions of her various fairy tale anthologies. This list contains most of the fairy-tale titles that have links from Manning-Sanders' biography page. Exceptions are Stories from the English and Scottish Ballads and A Book of Magical Beasts, an anthology of others' works that she edited.

Africa
The Kindly Ghost, A Book of Ghosts and Goblins
Mainu the Frog, A Book of Magic Animals
Niassa and the Ogre, A Book of Princes and Princesses
The Pick Handle, A Book of Enchantments and Curses
The Seven Monsters, A Book of Monsters
The spirits in the rat-hole, The Haunted Castle
Terry Gong-Gong, Fox Tales
The Two Wizards, A Book of Wizards and A Choice of Magic
Walker by Moonlight, The Three Witch Maidens
What Came of Quarreling, A Book of Magic Horses
What did you do? Fox Tales

Alaska
The Caribou Wife, Folk and Fairy Tales

Alsace
The Kittle-Kittle Car, A Book of Devils and Demons

American Indian
Adventures of Coyote, Red Indian Folk and Fairy Tales
Adventures of Rabbit, Red Indian Folk and Fairy Tales
Beautiful Girl, Red Indian Folk and Fairy Tales
Beaver and Porcupine, Red Indian Folk and Fairy Tales
The Fat Grandmother, Red Indian Folk and Fairy Tales
The Forbidden Valley, The Haunted Castle
Good Man and Bad Man, Red Indian Folk and Fairy Tales
Grasshopper and Fox, Tortoise Tales
Hare Running, Tortoise Tales
The Magic Pebble, Red Indian Folk and Fairy Tales
Micabo's Island, Red Indian Folk and Fairy Tales
Napi and Nip, Red Indian Folk and Fairy Tales
The Ogre, the Sun, and the Raven, A Book of Charms and Changelings
Otter Heart and the Magic Kettle, Red Indian Folk and Fairy Tales
Proud Girl and Bold Eagle, Red Indian Folk and Fairy Tales
Rabbit and the Wolves, Tortoise Tales
Raven and the Wicked One, Red Indian Folk and Fairy Tales
Raven Boy and Little Hawk, Red Indian Folk and Fairy Tales
Smoke Bones, Folk and Fairy Tales
Snake Ogre, Red Indian Folk and Fairy Tales
Star Maiden, Red Indian Folk and Fairy Tales
Sun Arrow, Red Indian Folk and Fairy Tales
Tortoise and the Children, Tortoise Tales
Tortoise and Ogre, Tortoise Tales
Ugly Thing, Red Indian Folk and Fairy Tales
Young Mouse, Red Indian Folk and Fairy Tales
Zini and the Witches, Red Indian Folk and Fairy Tales

Arabia
Aladdin, A Book of Wizards and A Choice of Magic
The Four Abdallahs, A Book of Mermaids
Hassan the Ropemaker, Sir Green Hat and the Wizard
Little Mukra, A Book of Dwarfs

Archangel
The Leeshy Cat, A Book of Cats and Creatures
The Princess's Slippers, A Book of Princes and Princesses and A Choice of Magic

Australia
The Bunyip, Old Witch Boneyleg
Crow and the Pelicans, The Haunted Castle
Goralasi and the Spectres, A Book of Spooks and Spectres

Austria
Oda and the Snake, A Book of Sorcerers and Spells
The Tailor and the Hunter, Sir Green Hat and the Wizard

Bavaria
Plain Peter, Sir Green Hat and the Wizard

Bohemia
Dunber, A Book of Monsters
The Giants in the Valley, The Three Witch Maidens
Johnny and the Witch-Maidens, A Book of Witches and A Choice of Magic
Long, Broad and Sharpsight, A Book of Wizards and Folk and Fairy Tales
The Princess in the Iron Tower, A Book of Magic Horses
Rubizal and the Miller's Daughter, A Book of Spooks and Spectres
Rubizal's Black Horse, A Book of Magic Horses
The Spook and the Pigs, A Book of Spooks and Spectres

Bosnia
The Magic Bridle, A Book of Charms and Changelings
What Happened to Ivan, A Book of Kings and Queens

Brittany
The Groach of the Isle of Lok, A Book of Mermaids
Little Barbette, A Book of Magic Animals
The Magic Belt, A Book of Princes and Princesses
Margrette, A Book of Mermaids
The North-west Wind, A Book of Magic Animals
Pippi Menou and the Hanging Palace, Sir Green Hat and the Wizard
The White Cat and the Green Snake, A Book of Princes and Princesses
The White Lamb, A Book of Charms and Changelings

Bukovina
The Hazel-Nut Child, A Book of Dwarfs

Carpathian Mountains
The Little Red Mannikin, A Book of Devils and Demons

Caucasus
The little cake, Fox Tales

China
Baskets in a Little Cart, A Book of Dragons
Chien Tang, A Book of Dragons
Chien-Nang, A Book of Charms and Changelings
Football on a Lake, A Book of Spooks and Spectres
The Yellow Dragon, A Book of Dragons

Cornwall
Barker's Knee, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
Betty Stogs' Baby, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
The Boy and the Bull, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
Bucca Dhu and Bucca Gwidden, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
Cherry, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
The Cock-Crow Stone, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
The Crowza Stones, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
The Demon Mason, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
Duffy and the Devil, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
Fairies on the Gump, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
From the Head Downward, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
The Giant Holiburn, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
The Giant of the Mount, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
How Jack Made His Fortune, A Book of Magic Horses
Jack the Giant-Killer, A Book of Giants
The Knockers of Ballowal, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
Lutey and the Mermaid, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
Lyonesse, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
Madgy Figgey and the Sow, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
Master Billy, A Book of Magic Horses
The Mermaid in Church, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
Mr Noy, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
Parson Wood and the Devil, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
Peepan Pee, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
Peter and the Piskies, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
The Piskie Thresher, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
Saint Margery Daw, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
Saint Neot, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
Skillywidden, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
The Small People's Cow, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
Sneezy Snatcher and Sammy Small, A Book of Giants
The Spriggans' Treasure, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
The Tinner, the Dog, the Jew, and the Cake, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
Tom and Giant Blunderbus, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
Tredrill, A Book of Charms and Changelings
Tregeagle, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
The Two Sillies, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
The Wish-hound, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales
The Witch of Fraddam, Peter and the Piskies: Cornish Folk and Fairy Tales

Corsica
Golden Hair, A Book of Ghosts and Goblins and A Choice of Magic

Creole
Hyena and Hare, Tortoise Tales

Czechoslovakia
King Josef, A Book of Kings and Queens and Folk and Fairy Tales
Little pot, cook!, The Haunted Castle
The Tailor, the Devil, and the Frogs, The Three Witch Maidens
The Water Nick, A Book of Cats and Creatures

Denmark
Esben and the Witch, A Book of Witches and A Choice of Magic
Franz the Garden Boy, A Book of Magic Horses
Heaven Forbid!, A Book of Spooks and Spectres
Little Wonder, A Book of Cats and Creatures
Mons Tro, A Choice of Magic
Nils in the Forest, A Book of Ogres and Trolls
Rake Up!, A Book of Mermaids and A Choice of Magic
A Ride to Hell, A Book of Devils and Demons
Sir Green Hat and the Wizard, Sir Green Hat and the Wizard
The Spook and the Beer Barrel, A Book of Spooks and Spectres
The Story of Maia, A Book of Dwarfs
Sven and Lilli, A Book of Mermaids and A Choice of Magic
Tossen the Fool, Old Witch Boneyleg
Tripple-Trapple, A Book of Devils and Demons
The Troll's Little Daughter, A Book of Ogres and Trolls
The White Dove, A Book of Witches

East Africa
Fox and Weasel, Fox Tales
Tortoise and Elephant, Tortoise Tales

Egypt
Fox and Crow, Fox Tales

England
The Cauld Lad of Hilton, Old Witch Boneyleg
The Golden Ball, A Book of Ghosts and Goblins
Jack and the Beanstalk, A Book of Giants and A Choice of Magic
Little Jip, A Book of Ghosts and Goblins
Old Tommy and the Spectre, A Book of Spooks and Spectres
The Old Witch, A Book of Witches and Folk and Fairy Tales
The Small-tooth Dog, A Book of Magic Animals
Sneezy Snatcher and Sammy Small, A Choice of Magic

Estonia
The Cook and the House Goblin, A Book of Ghosts and Goblins
Fox the gooseherd, Fox Tales
The Goblins at the Bath House, A Book of Ghosts and Goblins and A Choice of Magic
The Hat, A Book of Charms and Changelings
The Haunted Castle, The Haunted Castle
The Lake, A Book of Spooks and Spectres
Water Drops, A Book of Ghosts and Goblins

Ethiopia
Hare's Ears, Tortoise Tales

Finland
The fish cart, Fox Tales
The Flute Player, A Book of Charms and Changelings
Rabbit and Our Old Woman, Tortoise Tales
Something Wonderful, A Book of Devils and Demons and Folk and Fairy Tales
The well, Fox Tales

Flanders
Rich Woman, Poor Woman, A Book of Wizards

France
The Antmolly Birds, Jonnikin and the Flying Basket: French Folk and Fairy Tales
The Beauty and Her Gallant, A Book of Ghosts and Goblins
The Broken Pitcher, Old Witch Boneyleg
The Dapple Horse, A Book of Magic Horses
The Gold Dragoon, Jonnikin and the Flying Basket: French Folk and Fairy Tales
The Handsome Apprentice, Jonnikin and the Flying Basket: French Folk and Fairy Tales
Jonnikin and the Flying Basket, Jonnikin and the Flying Basket: French Folk and Fairy Tales
The King of the Crows, Jonnikin and the Flying Basket: French Folk and Fairy Tales
The Leg of Gold, A Book of Ghosts and Goblins
The Little Milleress, Jonnikin and the Flying Basket: French Folk and Fairy Tales
The Magic Wand, Jonnikin and the Flying Basket: French Folk and Fairy Tales
The Night of Four Times, Jonnikin and the Flying Basket: French Folk and Fairy Tales
The Nine White Sheep, Jonnikin and the Flying Basket: French Folk and Fairy Tales
Pappa Greatnose, A Book of Ghosts and Goblins
The Prince of the Seven Golden Cows, Jonnikin and the Flying Basket: French Folk and Fairy Tales
Princess Felicity, A Book of Princes and Princesses
The Small Men and the Weaver, Jonnikin and the Flying Basket: French Folk and Fairy Tales
The Snake Monster, Jonnikin and the Flying Basket: French Folk and Fairy Tales
The Son of the King of Spain, Jonnikin and the Flying Basket: French Folk and Fairy Tales
The Sword of the Stone, Jonnikin and the Flying Basket: French Folk and Fairy Tales
Tam and Tessa, Jonnikin and the Flying Basket: French Folk and Fairy Tales
The Thirteen Flies, Jonnikin and the Flying Basket: French Folk and Fairy Tales
The Young Shepherd, Jonnikin and the Flying Basket: French Folk and Fairy Tales

French Canada
Jon and his Brothers, A Book of Magic Animals and Folk and Fairy Tales

Gascony
The Blacksmith and the Devil, A Book of Devils and Demons

Georgia
The Giant and the Dwarf, A Book of Giants

Germany
The Brave Little Tailor, A Book of Giants
The Cobbler and the Dwarfs, A Book of Dwarfs
The Comb, the Flute and the Spinning Wheel, A Book of Mermaids
The Curse of the Very Small Man, A Book of Enchantments and Curses
The Dancing Pigs, Old Witch Boneyleg
The Donkey Lettuce, A Book of Witches
The Dragon and His Grandmother, A Book of Dragons
Elsa and the Bear, A Book of Magic Animals
Fir Cones, A Book of Dwarfs
The Girl Who Picked Strawberries, A Book of Dwarfs and A Choice of Magic
The Gold Stag, Old Witch Boneyleg
The Golden Kingdom, The Haunted Castle
Ha! ha! ha!, A Book of Spooks and Spectres
Hansel and Gretel, A Book of Witches
The Imp Cat, A Book of Cats and Creatures
The Inn of the Stone and Spectre, A Book of Spooks and Spectres
Katchen the Cat, A Book of Cats and Creatures
Lazy Hans, A Book of Witches
The Little Tailor and the Three Dogs, A Book of Ogres and Trolls and Folk and Fairy Tales
Mannikin Spanalong, A Book of Sorcerers and Spells
Peter, A Book of Enchantments and Curses
The queen in the garden, The Haunted Castle
Rapunzel, A Book of Witches
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, A Book of Dwarfs
Tangletop, A Book of Spooks and Spectres
The Three Dogs, A Book of Dragons
The Three Golden Hairs of the King of the Cave Giants, A Book of Giants
The Three Little Men in the Wood, A Book of Dwarfs
Thumbkin, A Book of Dwarfs
The very little man, Fox Tales

Greece
Alas!, Damian and the Dragon: Modern Greek Folk-Tales
The Bay-Tree Maiden, Damian and the Dragon: Modern Greek Folk-Tales
The Beardless One, Damian and the Dragon: Modern Greek Folk-Tales
Big Matsiko, Damian and the Dragon: Modern Greek Folk-Tales
The Cats, Damian and the Dragon: Modern Greek Folk-Tales
Constantes and the Dragon, A Book of Dragons and A Choice of Magic
The Cunning Old Man and the Three Rogues, Damian and the Dragon: Modern Greek Folk-Tales
Damian and the Dragon, Damian and the Dragon: Modern Greek Folk-Tales
The Dragon of the Well, A Book of Dragons
The Four Fishes, Damian and the Dragon: Modern Greek Folk-Tales
The Golden Casket, Damian and the Dragon: Modern Greek Folk-Tales
The King's Beard, Old Witch Boneyleg
The Lion, the Tiger and the Eagle, Damian and the Dragon: Modern Greek Folk-Tales
Luck, Damian and the Dragon: Modern Greek Folk-Tales
The Melodious Napkin, Damian and the Dragon: Modern Greek Folk-Tales
My Candlestick, Damian and the Dragon: Modern Greek Folk-Tales
My Lady Sea, Damian and the Dragon: Modern Greek Folk-Tales
The Nine Doves, A Book of Dragons and A Choice of Magic
Penteclemas and the Pea, Damian and the Dragon: Modern Greek Folk-Tales
Pepito, A Book of Dragons
The Prince and the Vizier's Son, Damian and the Dragon: Modern Greek Folk-Tales
The Sleeping Prince, Damian and the Dragon: Modern Greek Folk-Tales
The Sneezing Ring, The Three Witch Maidens
The Three Precepts, Damian and the Dragon: Modern Greek Folk-Tales
The Twins, Damian and the Dragon: Modern Greek Folk-Tales
The Wild Man, Damian and the Dragon: Modern Greek Folk-Tales
Yiankos, Damian and the Dragon: Modern Greek Folk-Tales

Greek Isles
Selim and the Snake Queen, A Book of Kings and Queens and Folk and Fairy Tales

Gypsy
Bald Pate, The Red King and the Witch: Gypsy Folk and Fairy Tales
The Black Dog of the Wild Forest, The Red King and the Witch: Gypsy Folk and Fairy Tales
Brian and the Fox, The Red King and the Witch: Gypsy Folk and Fairy Tales
The Brigands and the Miller's Daughter, The Red King and the Witch: Gypsy Folk and Fairy Tales
The Deluded Dragon, The Red King and the Witch: Gypsy Folk and Fairy Tales
The Dog and the Maiden, The Red King and the Witch: Gypsy Folk and Fairy Tales
The Dragon and the Stepmother, The Red King and the Witch: Gypsy Folk and Fairy Tales
Fedor and the Fairy, A Book of Charms and Changelings
The Foam Maiden, A Book of Sorcerers and Spells
Happy Boz'll, The Red King and the Witch: Gypsy Folk and Fairy Tales
The Hen That Laid Diamond Eggs, The Red King and the Witch: Gypsy Folk and Fairy Tales
It All Comes To Light, The Red King and the Witch: Gypsy Folk and Fairy Tales
Jack and His Golden Snuff-Box, The Red King and the Witch: Gypsy Folk and Fairy Tales
Jankyn and the Witch, The Red King and the Witch: Gypsy Folk and Fairy Tales
The Little Bull-Calf, The Red King and the Witch: Gypsy Folk and Fairy Tales
The Little Fox, The Red King and the Witch: Gypsy Folk and Fairy Tales
The Little Nobleman, The Red King and the Witch: Gypsy Folk and Fairy Tales
An Old King and His Three Sons of England, The Red King and the Witch: Gypsy Folk and Fairy Tales
The Old Soldier and the Mischief, The Red King and the Witch: Gypsy Folk and Fairy Tales
The Red King and the Witch, The Red King and the Witch: Gypsy Folk and Fairy Tales
The Riddle, The Red King and the Witch: Gypsy Folk and Fairy Tales
The Snake, The Red King and the Witch: Gypsy Folk and Fairy Tales
Sylvester, The Red King and the Witch: Gypsy Folk and Fairy Tales
The Tale of a Foolish Brother and of a Wonderful Bush, The Red King and the Witch: Gypsy Folk and Fairy Tales
The Three Princesses and the Unclean Spirit, The Red King and the Witch: Gypsy Folk and Fairy Tales
The Tinker and His Wife, The Red King and the Witch: Gypsy Folk and Fairy Tales
Tropsyn, The Red King and the Witch: Gypsy Folk and Fairy Tales

Hanover
The Porridge Pot, Sir Green Hat and the Wizard

Hartz Mountains
The Eighteen Soldiers, The Three Witch Maidens

Holland
The Sailor and the Devil, Folk and Fairy Tales

Hungary
The Adventures of Pengo, The Glass Man and the Golden Bird: Hungarian Folk and Fairy Tales
The Cock and the Hen, The Glass Man and the Golden Bird: Hungarian Folk and Fairy Tales
Dummling, The Glass Man and the Golden Bird: Hungarian Folk and Fairy Tales
The Enchanted Prince, A Book of Princes and Princesses and A Choice of Magic
The Fairy Helena, The Glass Man and the Golden Bird: Hungarian Folk and Fairy Tales
The Fiddle, The Glass Man and the Golden Bird: Hungarian Folk and Fairy Tales
Giant Babolna, Old Witch Boneyleg
Gisella and the Goat, The Glass Man and the Golden Bird: Hungarian Folk and Fairy Tales
The Glass Man and the Golden Bird, The Glass Man and the Golden Bird: Hungarian Folk and Fairy Tales
A Handful of Hay, The Glass Man and the Golden Bird: Hungarian Folk and Fairy Tales
Hans and His Master, A Book of Ghosts and Goblins and A Choice of Magic
In the wolf pit, Fox Tales
Ironhead, A Book of Devils and Demons
Jack at Hell Gate, A Book of Devils and Demons
Kate Contrary, The Glass Man and the Golden Bird: Hungarian Folk and Fairy Tales
Little Firenko, The Glass Man and the Golden Bird: Hungarian Folk and Fairy Tales
The Lost Children, The Glass Man and the Golden Bird: Hungarian Folk and Fairy Tales
Melitsa the Beautiful, The Haunted Castle
The Nine Peahens and the Golden Apples, The Glass Man and the Golden Bird: Hungarian Folk and Fairy Tales
The Nine Ravens, The Three Witch Maidens
The Peppercorn Oxen, A Book of Devils and Demons
Prince Mirko, The Glass Man and the Golden Bird: Hungarian Folk and Fairy Tales
The Ram with the Golden Fleece, The Glass Man and the Golden Bird: Hungarian Folk and Fairy Tales
The Secret-Keeping Boy, The Glass Man and the Golden Bird: Hungarian Folk and Fairy Tales
The Seven Simons, The Glass Man and the Golden Bird: Hungarian Folk and Fairy Tales
The Silver Penny, A Book of Wizards and Folk and Fairy Tales
The Spotted Cow, The Glass Man and the Golden Bird: Hungarian Folk and Fairy Tales
The Three Lemons, The Glass Man and the Golden Bird: Hungarian Folk and Fairy Tales
Uletka, The Glass Man and the Golden Bird: Hungarian Folk and Fairy Tales
The Witch and the Swan Maiden, The Glass Man and the Golden Bird: Hungarian Folk and Fairy Tales
The Wonderful Tree, The Glass Man and the Golden Bird: Hungarian Folk and Fairy Tales

Iceland
Cow Bu-cola, A Book of Ogres and Trolls
Dilly-dilly-doh!, A Book of Spooks and Spectres
The Farmer and the Water Fairies, Old Witch Boneyleg
The Gold Knob, A Book of Ogres and Trolls
The Headless Horseman, A Book of Ghosts and Goblins
Jon and the Troll Wife, A Book of Ogres and Trolls
The Lost Prince, A Book of Mermaids and Folk and Fairy Tales
Sigurd the King's Son, A Book of Ogres and Trolls

India
Fox and Crocodile, Fox Tales
A Game of Cards with the King of Demons, The Three Witch Maidens
The good old man, the thief, and the ghost, The Haunted Castle
The Kingdom of Ocean, A Book of Mermaids
Little Hiram, A Choice of Magic
Lucky or unlucky? Fox Tales
The Monkey Nursemaid, A Book of Devils and Demons

Ireland
The Adventures of Billy MacDaniel, A Choice of Magic
The Blackstairs Mountain, A Book of Witches
Bottle Hill, A Book of Dwarfs and A Choice of Magic
Conall Yellowclaw, A Book of Giants
The Field of Ragwort, A Book of Dwarfs
Fin M'Coul and Cucullin, A Book of Giants and Folk and Fairy Tales
The Good Woman, A Book of Ghosts and Goblins
The Great Bear of Orange, A Book of Sorcerers and Spells
The Magic Lake, A Book of Mermaids and A Choice of Magic
The Magical Tune, A Book of Mermaids
The Palace of the Seven Little Hills, A Book of Sorcerers and Spells
The Sleeper, A Book of Sorcerers and Spells
The Strange Adventure of Paddy O'Toole, A Book of Ghosts and Goblins
The Teapot Spout, A Book of Kings and Queens
The Thirteenth Son of the King of Erin, A Book of Dragons
Tritil, Litil, and the Birds, A Book of Ogres and Trolls

Italy
The Black Spectre, A Book of Spooks and Spectres (in South Tyrol)
Cannetella, A Book of Wizards
The Girl in the Basket, A Book of Ogres and Trolls and Folk and Fairy Tales
The Magic Monkeys, A Book of Sorcerers and Spells
Prunella, A Book of Witches
The She-Bear, A Book of Princes and Princesses
The Three Mermaids, A Book of Mermaids and A Choice of Magic
The Three Silver Balls, A Book of Ghosts and Goblins

Jamaica
Beedul-a-bup!, A Book of Magic Horses
Gar-room!, Tortoise Tales
Sarah Winyan, A Book of Enchantments and Curses

Japan
The Little Jizo, Sir Green Hat and the Wizard
My Lord Bag of Rice, A Book of Dragons and Folk and Fairy Tales
Timimoto, A Book of Dwarfs

Jutland
Hans, the Horn, and the Magic Sword, A Book of Giants
The Skipper and the Dwarfs, A Book of Dwarfs and Folk and Fairy Tales

Kashmir
Stupid Head, A Book of Princes and Princesses

Korea
The Enchanted Wine Jug, A Book of Charms and Changelings
Strange Visitors, A Book of Spooks and Spectres
Yi Chang and the Spectres, A Book of Spooks and Spectres

Latvia
Monster Grabber and the King's Daughter, A Book of Magic Horses

Macedonia
The Monster in the Mill, A Book of Monsters and Folk and Fairy Tales
Pentalina, A Book of Monsters
Yanni, A Book of Dragons

Madagascar
The Monster with Seven Heads, A Book of Kings and Queens and Folk and Fairy Tales
Oh Mr Crocodile, A Book of Cats and Creatures

Majorca
A Box on the Ear, A Book of Ghosts and Goblins
The Dolphin, A Book of Magic Animals

Mediterranean Sea
A-tishoo!, Gianni and the Ogre
Bardiello, Gianni and the Ogre
The Bean Tree, Gianni and the Ogre
Celery, Gianni and the Ogre
The Daughter of the Dwarf, Gianni and the Ogre
The Doll, Gianni and the Ogre
The Fiddler Going Home, Gianni and the Ogre
Gianni and the Ogre, Gianni and the Ogre
Grillo, Gianni and the Ogre
Kabadaluk, Gianni and the Ogre
King Fox, Gianni and the Ogre
Little Finger, Gianni and the Ogre
Mother Sunday, Gianni and the Ogre
Oudelette, Gianni and the Ogre
Peppino, Gianni and the Ogre
The Spider, Gianni and the Ogre
The Three Ravens, Gianni and the Ogre
Trim Tram Turvey, Gianni and the Ogre

Mongolia
The Blue-grey Fleece, Sir Green Hat and the Wizard

Netherlands
Malegy's Palfrey, A Book of Magic Horses

New Zealand
Tawhaki, The Three Witch Maidens

Norse and/or Norway
Farmer Weathersky, A Book of Wizards
Freddy and his Fiddle, A Book of Dwarfs
The Giant Who Had No Heart in His Body, A Book of Giants and Folk and Fairy Tales
The Hill Demon, A Book of Devils and Demons
Tatterhood, A Book of Witches and A Choice of Magic

North Africa
The Mossy Rock, A Book of Sorcerers and Spells

Nova Scotia
Fox and Hare, Fox Tales

Poland
The Adventures of Gregor, A Book of Magic Horses
The Cat Johann, A Book of Cats and Creatures

Pomerania
The Cow, The Three Witch Maidens
Dear Grey, The Haunted Castle
Father Wren and King Tiger, A Book of Cats and Creatures
The Glassy Bridge, Sir Green Hat and the Wizard
The gold spinner, The Haunted Castle
A Lying Story, A Book of Enchantments and Curses
The Two Enemy Kings, A Book of Kings and Queens
The Queen's Ring, A Book of Enchantments and Curses

Portugal
The Geese and the Golden Chain, A Book of Mermaids

Romania
Prince Loaf, A Book of Giants and A Choice of Magic
Stan Bolovan, A Book of Dragons and A Choice of Magic

Rügen
The Silver Bell, A Book of Dwarfs

Russia
Bull's Winter House, A Book of Magic Animals
Catrinella, Come up Higher!, A Book of Enchantments and Curses
The Children on the Pillar, A Book of Ogres and Trolls
The Crane's Purse, Sir Green Hat and the Wizard
Eh! Eh! Tralala!, A Book of Magic Animals
Go I Know Not Whither and Fetch I Know Not What, A Book of Sorcerers and Spells
The Goat in the Sky, A Book of Cats and Creatures
The Good Ogre, A Book of Ogres and Trolls
The Great Golloping Wolf, A Book of Monsters
King Eagle, A Book of Kings and Queens
Kojata, A Book of Wizards
Little Cat and Little Hen, Tortoise Tales
The Little Humpbacked Horse, A Book of Magic Animals
Little Sister Fox, Tortoise Tales
Monster Copper Forehead, A Book of Monsters
Nanny Goat with Nuts, Tortoise Tales
Natasha Most Lovely, Old Witch Boneyleg
Old Man Zackery and the Cranes, A Book of Cats and Creatures
Old Verlooka, A Choice of Magic
Old Witch Boneyleg, Old Witch Boneyleg
Pancakes and Pies, A Book of Charms and Changelings
A Pool of Bright Water, A Book of Cats and Creatures
The Queen's Children, A Book of Kings and Queens
The Silver Dish, The Three Witch Maidens
The Spooks' Party, A Book of Spooks and Spectres
The Straw Horse, A Book of Magic Horses
The Three Ivans, A Book of Sorcerers and Spells
Two Minutes, Old Witch Boneyleg
The Twins and the Snarling Witch, A Book of Witches
Umbrella, Fox Tales
Vanka, Sir Green Hat and the Wizard
Vasilissa Most Lovely, A Book of Enchantments and Curses and Folk and Fairy Tales
Vanooshka, A Book of Kings and Queens
Whoa-ho!, A Book of Magic Horses
Wits But No Money, A Book of Magic Horses
The Wizard King, A Book of Princes and Princesses
A Wonderful Bird, A Book of Cats and Creatures
The Wonderful Shirt, A Choice of Magic

Savoy
The Dance of the Spectres, A Book of Spooks and Spectres

Schleswig-Holstein
The New Horse, A Book of Magic Horses
Tummeldink, A Book of Spooks and Spectres

Scotland
The Black Bull of Norroway, Scottish Folk Tales
Conall Yellowclaw, A Book of Giants
Flitting, Scottish Folk Tales
The Giant in the Cave, A Book of Giants
Green caps, Scottish Folk Tales
In a sack, Scottish Folk Tales
The Laird of Co, Scottish Folk Tales
The little wee man, Scottish Folk Tales
The Loch Ness Kelpie, Scottish Folk Tales
Mester Stoorworm, Scottish Folk Tales
Merman Rosmer, A Book of Mermaids and Folk and Fairy Tales
My own self, Scottish Folk Tales
The seal-hunter and the mermen, Scottish Folk Tales
The seal-wife, Scottish Folk Tales
Seven Inches, Scottish Folk Tales
The shadow, Scottish Folk Tales
Short Hoggers, Scottish Folk Tales
The Strange Visitor, Scottish Folk Tales
The Tailor in the Church, A Book of Ghosts and Goblins
The Untidy Mermaid, A Book of Mermaids
The wee bit mousikie, Scottish Folk Tales
The Well at the World's End, Scottish Folk Tales
Whirra whirra bump!, Scottish Folk Tales

Serbia
The Prince and the Dragons, A Book of Princes and Princesses

Siberia
The Bird Wife, A Book of Cats and Creatures
The Maiden Suvarna, A Book of Ghosts and Goblins

Sicily
The All-seeing Sun, Sir Green Hat and the Wizard
Aniello, A Book of Wizards and A Choice of Magic
The Beauty of the Golden Star, A Book of Magic Horses
Dough, A Book of Kings and Queens
The Goat in Bed, The Three Witch Maidens
The Golden Valley, A Book of Monsters
The Green Bird, A Book of Ogres and Trolls
The Ogre's Breath, A Book of Ogres and Trolls
Peppi, A Book of Charms and Changelings
Rags and Tatters, A Book of Princes and Princesses
Unfortunate, A Book of Enchantments and Curses

Silesia
Rubizal, A Book of Charms and Changelings

Slavic
The Dwarf with the Long Beard, A Book of Charms and Changelings
Gold Lambs and Silver Lambs, Sir Green Hat and the Wizard
King Johnny, A Book of Giants and A Choice of Magic
The Prince with the Golden Hand, A Book of Dragons

Slavonia
The old woman and the oak tree, The Haunted Castle

South Africa
Voo-too-koo, Sir Green Hat and the Wizard (also listed as a Zulu tale)

South America
The King of the Vultures, The Three Witch Maidens
The Magic Roots, Folk and Fairy Tales

Spain
Black, Red, and Gold, A Book of Enchantments and Curses
Bring me a Light, A Book of Ghosts and Goblins
The Knights of the Fish, A Book of Enchantments and Curses and Folk and Fairy Tales
The Ring, A Book of Ghosts and Goblins

Sudan
Foni and Fotia, A Book of Sorcerers and Spells

Sweden
The Juniper Bush, A Book of Cats and Creatures
Lassy my Boy!, The Three Witch Maidens
Lilla Rosa, A Book of Magic Animals and Folk and Fairy Tales
Prince Lindworm, A Book of Monsters

Switzerland
The Enchanted Candle, A Book of Enchantments and Curses
The Owl, A Book of Spooks and Spectres
Pussy Cat Twinkle, A Book of Cats and Creatures

Tadjakistan
The Big Bird Katchka, A Book of Cats and Creatures

Tartary
The Golden Knucklebone, A Book of Cats and Creatures
Ubir, A Book of Monsters

Transylvania
The Demon's Daughter, A Book of Devils and Demons
Iron Hans, Old Witch Boneyleg
The Princess in the Mountain, A Book of Enchantments and Curses
Sausages, Folk and Fairy Tales
Sorcerer Kaldoon, A Book of Sorcerers and Spells
The Story of the Three Young Shepherds, A Book of Monsters
The Sun Mother, A Book of Charms and Changelings
The Three Witch Maidens, The Three Witch Maidens

Turkey
Buns and honey, Fox Tales
Over the wall, Fox Tales

Tyrol
Gold, A Book of Wizards
The Singing Leaves, A Book of Monsters
The Skull, A Book of Ghosts and Goblins
Spooks a-hunting, A Book of Spooks and Spectres

Ukraine
The Frog, A Book of Princes and Princesses and A Choice of Magic

United States
La-lee-lu, A Book of Spooks and Spectres
Long John and the Mermaid, A Book of Mermaids
The Small, Small Cat, A Book of Cats and Creatures
The Spectre Wolf, A Book of Spooks and Spectres

Valley of the Nile
The Forty Goats, A Book of Charms and Changelings
The Good Oum-Aly, The Three Witch Maidens

Wales
Jack and the Wizard, A Book of Wizards and A Choice of Magic
The Lake Maiden, A Book of Mermaids

West Africa
Lu-bo-bo, A Book of Monsters

Yugoslavia
The Little Old Man in the Tree, A Book of Spooks and Spectres
The Prince and the Sky-Blue Filly, A Book of Princes and Princesses

Zeeland
Knurremurre, A Book of Dwarfs and A Choice of Magic

Zulu
Voo-too-koo, Sir Green Hat and the Wizard (also listed as a South African tale) Petre Ispirescu (; January 1830 – 21 November 1887) was a Romanian editor, folklorist, printer, and publicist. He is best known for his work as a gatherer of Romanian folk tales, recounting them with a remarkable talent.

Career 
Petre Ispirescu was born in Bucharest, the son of Gheorghe Ispirescu, a barber, and Elena Ispirescu, a remarkable story teller. He grew up listening to countless folk tales told by his parents and his father's customers and apprentices. His parents wanted him to be a priest and he was entrusted to study with a monk at the Metropolitan Church, after which he studied with a priest at the Domnița Bălașa Church.

He dropped out in 1844 at age fourteen and became an apprentice at the printing house headed by Zaharia Carcalechi, hoping to further his education by reading the books printed there. Working 14 hours a day, he became a qualified printer in 1848. In 1854, he was hired at the Copainie typography. In 1858, within the context of talks about the unification of the Romanian Principalities, the printing house accepted to publish the secret correspondence of Prince Nicolae Vogoride, without the accord of the censors. The police arrested all those involved and Petre Ispirescu was jailed for a month, losing his job. By the end of the year, Vasile Boerescu - a supporter of the union of the Romanian Principalities and future Foreign Minister - offered him the manager position of a modern typography that owned the first mechanical printing press in Bucharest and published the Naționalul newspaper. His position introduced him to contemporary politicians and writers like 
Ion Ionescu de la Brad, Nicolae Filimon, Ion Ghica, and Dimitrie Bolintineanu. In 1863, Vasile Boerescu sold the typography and Petre Ispirescu became the manager of the typography publishing the Liberal Party newspaper Romanul. At the time, the Liberal Party was the main opposition party. The newspaper was suppressed in 1864. Ispirescu, together with Walter Scarlat and Frederick Gobl, then founded the United Workers Typography. A year later, Ispirescu published the Romanian Typographer pamphlet. The abdication in 1866 of the first ruler of the United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia, Alexandru Ioan Cuza, is recorded with sadness there. After becoming the sole associate of the printing house, he renamed it Romanian Academy Publishing House in 1878.

Invited by the Interior Minister Ion Ghica, Ispirescu became the head of the State Printing House in 1866. He resigned two years later.

Ispirescu left Bucharest for the first time in his life in 1880 for a short trip to Roșiorii de Vede, a small town 74.5 miles away. In 1883 he had a first stroke;  he suffered a second stroke while sitting at his desk, and died on 21 November 1887. He is buried at Bellu Cemetery in Bucharest along many other famous Romanians.

Ispirescu began to publish Romanian folk stories in 1862, at the incentive of Nicolae Filimon. His first collection of six folk tales appeared in Țăranul Român and later as a booklet. Subsequently, these tales were added to his renowned collection, Romanian Fairy Tales, today a bibliographic rarity. He resumed his publishing work in 1872 with the collection Romanian Folk Tales. Riddles and Proverbs with a preface by Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu, followed by Folk Anecdotes and Folk Tales in 1874, and The Life and Feats of Mihai Viteazu in 1876. He was praised for the deep and invaluable knowledge of the Romanian folk works. In 1879 he published Tales of the Wise Old Man - a retelling in an accessible language for children of universal myths and fragments of Greek mythology - with a preface by Alexandru Odobescu.

His major work, Romanian Fairy Tales, was published in 1882 with a preface by Vasile Alecsandri.

Works

Ispirescu is especially known for his collections of Romanian folk tales.

Colecție de șase basme in Țăranul Român (1862, a collection of six folk tales published in Țăranul Român)
Legende sau basmele românilor. Ghicitori și Proverburi (1872, "Romanian Legends and Folk Tales. Riddles and Proverbs")
Snoave și Povești populare (1874, "Folk Anecdotes and Folk Tales")
Isprăvile și viața lui Mihai Viteazu (1876, "The Life and Feats of Mihai Viteazu")
Poveștele unchiașului sfătos (1879, "Tales of the Wise Old Man")
Pilde și ghicitori (1880, "Parables and riddles")
Legendele sau basmele Românilor (1882, "Romanian Fairy Tales")
Basme, snoave și glume (1883, "Tales, Anecdotes, and Jests")
Jucării şi jocuri de copil (1885, "Children's Toys and Games")
Povești morale. Despre pomul Crăciunului (1886, "Moral Stories. About the Christmas Tree")

See also
 Kingdom in the Clouds (a 1969 film directed by Elisabeta Bostan)
 Dan Petrescu, Romanian businessman, nicknamed "Petre Ispirescu" by his friends in honor to Ispirescu

References

Dimitrie R Rosetti (1897) Dicţionarul contimporanilor, Editura Lito-Tipografiei "Populara"

External links
 
 

Romanian collectors of fairy tales
Romanian folklorists
Romanian printers
Writers from Bucharest
Burials at Bellu Cemetery
1830 births
1887 deaths
19th-century Romanian writers