The thengai, or coconut, holds an important role in Sri Lankan Thamil culture, especially in Hindu ceremonies.
The coconut tree is known the world over, but its origins are believed to be in either South or Southeast Asia. While the entire coconut tree is valued, especially in South Asia, due to the utility of all of its parts, the coconut itself is often used not only for its meat, milk, or hard shells, but also as a cultural symbol.
The coconut itself is not actually a nut, but a type of fruit known as a drupe, due to the fact that a hard, stony shell covers its seed. The name “coconut” derives from Portuguese explorers, who found the fruit to resemble a skull, hence dubbing it with the slang word “coco.” Wild coconuts tend to be more elongated in shape, whereas domesticated coconuts appear rounder, similar to the ones found in the supermarket. These coconuts are usually de-husked, resulting in the brown fibrous “shell” and a lighter transport weight.
Because of its ubiquity in South Asian life, it is only natural that the coconut would be used in ceremonial context as well. Legend has it that when the god Vishnu descended to earth, one of the three divine entities he brought with him was the coconut tree. The appearance of the coconut is also said to represent the god Shiva, with the three eyes of the coconut symbolize the three eyes of Shiva. Another tale is that to prevent Ganesha, Shiva’s son, from touching his eye, Shiva gave Ganesha a special ball to play with, which was a coconut.
Because of its association with the gods, coconuts are viewed in Hinduism as a favored offering to the deities. The coconut is often broken at the beginning of new undertakings to draw the goodwill of the gods. It is also said that the breaking of the coconut has other meanings, such as the breaking of the shell that is the ego and opening of the heart. The origins of this practice of breaking the coconut are also said to lie in the fact that originally, animal sacrifice was used in worship, but eventually the coconut was substituted due partially to its resemblance to the skull. However, because of this association with sacrifice and “breaking a seed,” there are usually gender restrictions mandating that women should avoid breaking the coconut for ceremonies so as not to affect fertility.
In order to invite prosperity and pay homage to the goddess Lakshmi, coconuts are often placed atop brass, copper, or clay pots, nestled on mango leaves, which are placed around the doorway during special occasions. As a symbol of prosperity they are also a vital component of the Hindu wedding, as well as coming-of-age ceremonies and funerals.