Ipomoea batatas (Sweet potato, yams)
Bathala. at least five traditional
species known in Sri lanka - more modern cultivars
This yam is NOT related to the
potato family. Flowers are similar to those of morning glory (ipomea family).
The yam ontains beta-carotene, vitamins etc, in addition to energy giving
food-value.
"Patata" (Spanish), or "Batata" is reputed to come from the Carribian, where the name "batata" was used, It was introduced to Sri lanka and Asia probabaly by the Portuguese. "Batata → Bathata → bathala". The Tamil "pavala" is also most likely from "Patata → Pavala". The common potato (sinhala "arthaapal" ← "erdapfel") also got its name from "batata → patata", and was brought to Europe (circa 1540) by Spaniards raiding the Andes, Peru, Colombia etc. The claim that "bathala" is from the sinhala words "bath-ala"- i.e., "rice-yam", has no basis.
Although an introduced yam, bathala is now a part of village tradition. A "raban pada" (rural drum beat) goes as: Punchi Bathala Gaeta Thumba Kola.... Lin Watakara Bahina Bathala.
"Patata" (Spanish), or "Batata" is reputed to come from the Carribian, where the name "batata" was used, It was introduced to Sri lanka and Asia probabaly by the Portuguese. "Batata → Bathata → bathala". The Tamil "pavala" is also most likely from "Patata → Pavala". The common potato (sinhala "arthaapal" ← "erdapfel") also got its name from "batata → patata", and was brought to Europe (circa 1540) by Spaniards raiding the Andes, Peru, Colombia etc. The claim that "bathala" is from the sinhala words "bath-ala"- i.e., "rice-yam", has no basis.
Although an introduced yam, bathala is now a part of village tradition. A "raban pada" (rural drum beat) goes as: Punchi Bathala Gaeta Thumba Kola.... Lin Watakara Bahina Bathala.
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