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Baobab Tree in Mannar

 Persons with disability require a dose of empathy and patience since they must be ready to make themselves understood in everyday situations by changing their perspective. What for them is a gesture that indicates a terrible lack of manners, somewhere else in the world might bea sign of respect and admiration for the stranger showing up in a different community and willing to share new life experiences.

This naturally leads to open-mindedness, making themselves aware of how small their immediate surroundings are.

However, new experiences (always) entail anticipatory fear of the unknown, an instinctive and primitive sense of danger that threatens our emotional stability. At the same time, they are attracted to these experiences much like the persons who feels the need to cause mischief even when knowing they are running the risk of being punished. Yet the craving for adventure is stronger than anything else. This is what is called “getting out of their comfort zone.”. Ms. Manique Gunaratne gave the opportunity to a group of persons with disability to come out of their comfort zone and visit the Biobab tree in Mannar district in April 2022.

A tree of many names, the Baobab trees in Sri Lanka are a thing of mystery. It is a deciduous tree whose rounded crown is bare during the dry season. When the leaves are shed, the tree gives the impression that it had been planted upside down hence the name ‘upside down tree’, also referred to as the ‘bottle tree’ and the locals call it ‘elephant tree’, given its unusual and strange appearance and its huge barrel shaped trunk which narrows into branches. A native of Africa and Madagascar, baobab trees are also found in Australia, therefore it is believed that the trees were brought to Sri Lanka by Arab traders since the age of the trees predates the arrival of the Portuguese. Since camels eat baobab trees for its high water content, Arab traders travelling on camels would have carried these leaves as fodder thereby bringing it to Sri Lanka by coming from Arabia through Pakistan and the southern west coast of India and eventually crossing the Adam’s Bridge into Mannar.

Mannar is renowned for its oldest and largest yet behemoth baobab tree which captivates every viewer with its unusual shape and huge branches. It is situated in Palluminai and is believed to be about 800 years old with a circumference of 19.5 meters and a height of 7.5 meters. Baobab trees are a rare species therefore it is protected in Sri Lanka and has become a phenomenon for travelers who visit from all around the world.

 

 

The image features a very large, old tree with a thick, massive trunk and numerous tangled, bare branches reaching up toward a bright blue sky. A few small green leaves are visible on some of the branches. ​In the foreground, there are white and blue painted pillars surrounding the tree, and next to the trunk, a small structure or shrine with a blue top. To the right, there's an information board with a picture. ​In the background, there are some smaller palm trees and other green foliage, as well as a white van on the left and a blue truck on the right parked on a dirt ground. The scene looks like it's a sunny day.


The image features a very large, old tree with a thick, massive trunk and numerous tangled, bare branches reaching up toward a bright blue sky. A few small green leaves are visible on some of the branches. ​In the foreground, there are white and blue painted pillars surrounding the tree, and next to the trunk, a small structure or shrine with a blue top. To the right, there's an information board with a picture. ​In the background, there are some smaller palm trees and other green foliage, as well as a white van on the left and a blue truck on the right parked on a dirt ground. The scene looks like it's a sunny day.

This picture shows a man standing in front of a very large, old tree with a massive, textured trunk. ​The man is wearing a blue collared shirt with the sleeves rolled up and dark (likely black) trousers. He is holding a black walking stick and is looking slightly upward and to his left (viewer's right). ​Behind the man is the thick trunk and large branches of the tree. A small, framed sign with text (likely in a local language) is visible on the trunk. To the man's right (viewer's left), there is a white pillar with a clear casing on top, similar to a small shrine or display. ​In the background, there is a low building and a blue truck parked near some palm trees and other foliage under a bright blue sky. A blue painted border or wall is visible at the very bottom of the frame. The scene is brightly lit by sunlight.

This picture features a woman standing in front of a very large, old tree with a thick, textured trunk and large branches. ​The woman is positioned centrally, wearing a light grey or beige blazer over a black top with a lace or patterned neckline. She is also wearing black and white patterned trousers. ​Behind her is the massive trunk of the ancient tree. To her left (viewer's left), there is an information sign with text in English on a white pillar. To her right (viewer's right), there's a white pillar with a clear casing/shrine on top, similar to the one in the previous image. ​In the background, under a bright blue sky, there are palm trees and some other foliage, as well as a small, low building. A prominent feature in the foreground is the bright blue, low wall or border that runs across the bottom of the frame, marking off the area around the tree. The scene is outdoors on a sunny day.


#Manique Gunaratne

Committee Member – SPRINT Committee of Family Planning Association

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