The Hansa Poottuwa is a necklace from Sri Lanka. The Hansa Poottuwa in my family has been passed down for over 100 years. It is made of pure 22 carat gold and white sapphire. The Hansa Poottuwa is passed down to the eldest daughter of the family because it is a necklace usually worn for weddings. “Hansa Poottuwa” directly translates to intertwined swans, and that is the pattern of the necklace. Swans symbolize beauty and grace, so when they are intertwined, it stands for unity and togetherness of an everlasting marriage for strength and prosperity in the family. I only have pictures of my mom’s and her mom’s at their weddings. Our family has had the necklace for an exceptionally long time, and it is an original. My mom received the necklace from her family because her family has been in the highest caste as farm-owners and Ayurvedic doctors. Ayurvedic doctors were doctors that practiced a holistic system with herbal and mineral remedies with the support of the Royal Patronage. In more recent times, the caste system is not used since that is not ethically correct anymore, but whenever my family talks about this necklace, the look in their eyes and the way they talk show how proud they are of their ancestors and their achievements. Although I am the youngest, I am the second child and only girl in my family, so when it is time for me to get married, the necklace will be passed to me. This necklace is important to me because I feel and know I am not closely connected to my family’s culture or their home, but this is one way I can feel closer to my roots and family in Sri Lanka. 

– AK

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant