UNESCO intangible global cultural heritage program recognizes ‘Mazu’ or ‘Matsu’ as the most influential goddess of the sea in China. The Chinese sea goddess is influential in countries & regions along the Maritime Silk Road. Before typhoons, sailors would claim to see the bright red robes of the goddess on the water signaling the arrival of the storm. Also she is said to appear as a silver beam of light to sailors in need. Some even have claimed to have seen her riding on a chariot of clouds to save them. According to some analysts ‘Mazu’ is the cultural bond which connects the peoples of China & other countries along the Maritime Silk Road. SL was part of the above trade network in 1400s AD & at present with the Belt & Road initiative. Sri Lankans can see her statue at the Gangaramaya temple at Hunupitiya. When UNESCO recognized ‘Mazu’ culture as an intangible global cultural heritage, a host of beliefs & customs which include oral traditions, religious ceremonies & folk practices were also documented (Ref. UNESCO).

According to Chinese history ‘Mazu’ had lived in the tenth century on Meizhou Island & had died while rescuing the survivors of a shipwreck. Her people had then built a temple in her honour & had started venerating her twice a year. Small ceremonies worshiping ‘Mazu’ takes place globally throughout the year at more than 5,000 ‘Mazu’ temples with practices such as floral tributes, candle light, incense & firecrackers, ‘Mazu’ lanterns etc. This may be somewhat similar to venerating goddess ‘Paththini’ in SL. Her followers implore the goddess for pregnancy, peace, crisis recovery & general well being. In 2017 the ‘Meizhou Mazu’ ancestral temple initiated a cultural exchange program by arranging foreign trips for ‘Mazu’ devotees to countries along the maritime Silk Road (Ref. Chinese history).

SL needs blessings

SL is in a crisis & the population should work hard to gain the support & the blessings of good friends. If Sri Lankans are sincere, it will be the best blessing.  Addressing French media in Europe recently President RW cleared the grey areas on the attempts by China on influencing SL defense especially in Hambantota. He recognized Chinese presence in SL waters for over a millennium & noted that there were no attempts of colonization. As the Chinese had to sail thousands of miles to reach SL with all the help they gave throughout the centuries, surely the sailors including Admiral Zheng he would have worshiped ‘Mazu’ for safe travel. Historical facts prove that those voyages ensured long standing stability in SL during the ancient Maritime Silk Road & it shall be with the Belt & Road (21^st century trade network).

President told those who are worried about Chinese managing the Hambantota port that parts of the Colombo port is also managed by Chinese organizations. Such people should also read about the 500 plus other international ports managed by the Chinese in Africa, Europe & Middle East. He noted that none are worried about the safety of the war ships of other countries coming to the Colombo port & questioned why worry only about Hambantota. RW’s message on SL never allowing its territory to be used as a defense threat to India must have reached Europeans through French TV. India’s RAW must have heard RW even before he landed in Delhi last week. It’s important that President RW visit China as soon as possible thus starting a tradition of SL head of state visiting India & China within a short gap with equal prominence. As SL move forward towards 2048, they will be the key players in SL field. Indians would know that Calicut was important in the ancient maritime Silk Road. Therefore ‘Mazu’ would have been blessing them ever since. May ‘Mazu’ continue to bless SL along the Belt & Road!

(Views expressed are personal)