Divulvæva: A Village in the Dry Zone

Chapter 2 sets the stage by introducing Divulvæva village and providing the historical and contextual background necessary for understanding the unfolding ethnography. The narrative commences with a detailed historical overview of the area, tracing its evolution from ancient times through the eras of kings, colonial rule, and post-colonial governance. It highlights the vital importance of water and land in sustaining the village’s existence over the years. Throughout its history, water has been a dual-edged sword, posing challenges yet also offering solutions in the arid landscape designated by the British as the ‘dry zone’. The chapter delves into the arrival of the Mahaweli Development Programme (MDP) in Divulvæva during the 1970s, which aimed to recreate an idealised village life characterised by the presence of a tank, temple, and paddy fields. However, villagers contested that the MDP had disrupted the fabric of the village and negatively impacted traditional ways of life. Despite these challenges, I argue that women in the village have displayed remarkable adaptability by forging social connections along roads, houses, and canals, effectively integrating themselves into the social fabric of Divulvæva. The chapter illuminates the complex dynamics of how the village’s identity has evolved over time, influenced by external interventions such as the MDP, while also shaped by the resilience and agency of its inhabitants.