Found In Ceylon

International Day of the Deaf

Did you know that yesterday was the International Day of the Deaf? I think it’s shameful that it’s such a non-holiday in America’s deaf community.

So yesterday, I was introduced to the deaf community living in Sri Lanka’s southern province (although most were from the greater Matara area). I’ve already been to the school a couple times, which have been supremely delightful experiences and will be detailed further in another blog, so yesterday isn’t the first time I’ve met a deaf Sri Lankan.

But for just about every single deaf Sri Lankan I’ve met so far, I am the first white/foreigner Deaf person they’ve ever met. As Nerissa said, I’m Justin Timberlake to them. There’s twenty of them surrounding me at any time, eagerly asking me questions like, am I married? 9/11? Did I go to university? Am I English or American? What’s that on my head? Am I really, truly deaf? Do I hate Pakistan? Do I have a girlfriend back home? What am I doing here? When do I go back? Did Iraq really go to war with Lebanon?

My only concern is that, between the school and yesterday’s IDD event, I’ve talked almost exclusively with men and boys. If conversation length could be measured in dollars, and with the way things have been going, women’d be earning $0.02 to every $1 that men earn. I mean, it’s a cultural thing, that’s for sure, but I don’t want to appear like I’m ignoring all the women here.

Back to IDD. The local deaf association, RSCD (I have the full name somewhere in my photos; will edit this later), put on a three-hour performance at the community center (where all this took place). It involved about ten separate Sri Lankan dances, two magic shows, a couple speeches, two skits, and a candle-lighting ceremony involving local important people like the police chief, the president of the CFD (Central Federation of the Deaf), the principal of Rohana, and a couple others. Of course, it was all interpreted in Sinhala Sign Language, so much of it went over my head.

It was delightful to watch the show, and afterwards, everyone wanted to know my opinion right away. I told them I loved it as I’ve never seen Sri Lankan cultural dance before, and that, considering their resources, they put on a better show with a greater audience turnout than many American deaf state associations could accomplish, and that they should be proud.

But honestly, it was clear that they didn’t need my validation. They already knew they pulled off a great IDD.

I have pictures and so many more words to say, but I have a meeting soon with the principal of the school, Mr. N. Abeygunawardana. I’m on a dial-up connection (230 kbps) but, again, once I move into a guesthouse, I’ll start using one of Matara’s internet cafes which have faster connection speeds (supposedly).

 Print This | Share This |