Life Beyond Survival : Social Forms of Coping After the Tsunami in War-affected Eastern Sri Lanka

At the heart of this in-depth ethnographic study lie the daily life situations of tsunami survivors in war-torn, eastern Sri Lanka. Each chapter is built around the empirical themes derived from the stories and recollections of Tamil women and their families during their stay in relief camps, anticipating relocation. The specifics of the socio-cultural context are firmly embedded in the discussions. Ten years after the tsunami, this publication offers a timely contribution to a better understanding of what it means to cope with the combined effects of disaster, war, and international aid in this matri-focal region of the island. Contents Acknowledgments A Note on Transliteration and Presentation Manner Prologue: The Day of the Two Suns Chapter One: Introduction Research Focus The Conjunction of War and Tsunami Batticaloa: An Introduction Fieldwork Processes Methodology and Guiding Concepts Book Synopsis Chapter Two: A Transitional Place – The Post-Tsunami Relief Camps The Post-Tsunami “Welfare Centres” Upon Entering the Field Fieldwork Relationships Stories of Suffering A Different Fight for Aid Sandai: Picking a Fight Conclusion Chapter Three: The Tsunami’s Gender Face Discriminatory Disasters Order in Disorder Sudden Changes Conclusion Chapter Four: Family Ties – Striving for Control in an Upset World Kudumbam: Family and Household Concepts ‘Tsunami Love’ Remarriages: Widowers and Widows Prawn-like Men? Discussing Domestic Violence Conclusion Chapter Five: Dealing with Aid and Anticipating New Homes Gendered Aid and Strategic Victims Relocation Politics Towards New Homes Conclusion Chapter Six: A New Beginning Sudarshini Tsunami Babies Negotiating Responsibilities Conclusion Chapter Seven: Paittiyam – Risking Madness Contextualizing Paittiyam Prasanniya: Keeping Busy Ramesh: Just Sitting Dealing with Paittiyam Conclusion Chapter Eight: Closing Words Arguing with the Gods after the Tsunami Amidst War, Tiraimadu at Last Reviewing Forms of Coping Appendices Appendix 1: Frequently Used Abbreviations Appendix 2: Glossary Appendix 3: Name List Appendix 4: List of Illustrations References At the heart of this in-depth ethnographic study lie the daily life situations of tsunami survivors in war-torn, eastern Sri Lanka. Each chapter is built around the empirical themes derived from the stories and recollections of Tamil women and their families during their stay in relief camps, anticipating relocation. The specifics of the socio-cultural context are firmly embedded in the discussions. Ten years after the tsunami, this publication offers a timely contribution to a better understanding of what it means to cope with the combined effects of disaster, war, and international aid in this matri-focal region of the island. Tsunami,War,Sri Lanka,Gender,Social Anthropology,Relocation,Nature,Violence,Ethnology,Environmental Sociology,Conflict Studies