Currency "pepper"

Currency "pepper"

(I use Google Translate because my knowledge of English is very limited. Point out any errors. Thank you.)

There are different legends in different countries about pepper which is known as the king of spices. The history of pepper cultivation in Sri Lanka too goes back a long way.

Pepper is native to India. Pepper has been used in India since about 2000 BC. There is also evidence that pepper was used in ancient Egypt. Necklaces made of peppercorns have been found in their mummies. However, due to the favorable environmental conditions for the pepper in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka has also been subjected to foreign invasions.

Considering the history of pepper in Sri Lanka, it is very close to the lives of Sri Lankans. Even today, there is a high price for pepper, which is found in almost every kitchen. People who like spicy foods definitely use pepper. Pepper also stimulates the appetite. Due to the high demand for these peppers, pepper has been sold at very high prices in the past. Due to this we hear that Sri Lankans used pepper as a currency.

Payments have been made in pepper for goods purchased from the market. This was especially the case during the English colonial period. This is so prevalent in Sri Lankan society that it is said that pepper was given to dowries in the past.

Sri Lanka is an environment where many spices are grown very well. Therefore, cinnamon cultivation is also very popular. Sri Lanka has a very suitable ecosystem for that as well. Pepper has long been used to preserve cinnamon. A book written by the Portuguese author Paul Peiris states, "In the past, pepper was also packed in a ship of cinnamon sent from Sri Lanka to prevent the destruction of the cinnamon."

There are several sayings related to pepper in the Sinhala language.

* "Peppercorns are very spicy, even if they are small." - This means that even a small bad thing can be a big disaster, so be careful.

* "Like pepper" - This is said to be extremely destructive.

Legend has it that in the past, pepper was used for some form of magic. It’s called “Kaalam pimbiima”. This is how it happens. In front of an enemy, a person who knows the magic spell bites a few peppercorns, secretly reads the spell and blows it into the enemy's face. Then the enemy falls, bleeding from the nose. It is said that to cure it, one must have someone who knows the magic. These spells cannot be learned by a white person or anyone who speaks another language. This is because they are less able to pronounce Sinhala and Pali words. Thank you.