Nilame Costume
The Nilame costume, also known as mul enduma or tuppottiya, is the official and ceremonial attire associated with the Kandyan elite tradition.
Historical background
The nilame costume known as mul enduma or tuppottiya, the official and ceremonial attire of the Kandyan elite, reflects a fusion of cultural influences shaped by religious and political exchanges. The outfit consists of long pants worn below, a tuppotti with a belt worn over it, a mante, gem-studded rings, carved ornaments, necklaces, a hat and decorative accessories. It communicates dignity, rank, ceremonial identity and cultural inheritance.
Costume components
Frilled shirt
Component reference for design, construction, dressing and cultural interpretation.
Frilled trouser / rali kalisama
Component reference for design, construction, dressing and cultural interpretation.
Tuppottiya
Component reference for design, construction, dressing and cultural interpretation.
White cloth
Component reference for design, construction, dressing and cultural interpretation.
Red cloth / pachcha wadama
Component reference for design, construction, dressing and cultural interpretation.
Kavaniya
Component reference for design, construction, dressing and cultural interpretation.
Jacket / pesa hattaya
Component reference for design, construction, dressing and cultural interpretation.
Chest piece / papu patiya
Component reference for design, construction, dressing and cultural interpretation.
Belt / patiya
Component reference for design, construction, dressing and cultural interpretation.
Four-cornered hat / hathara mulu toppiya
Component reference for design, construction, dressing and cultural interpretation.
Flower tree / boralaya
Component reference for design, construction, dressing and cultural interpretation.
Peras ring
Component reference for design, construction, dressing and cultural interpretation.
Two medals
Component reference for design, construction, dressing and cultural interpretation.
Seed necklace
Component reference for design, construction, dressing and cultural interpretation.
Shoes
Component reference for design, construction, dressing and cultural interpretation.
Jewellery and accessories by body part
Head
Neck
Hand
Accessories
Eligibility notes
Some accessories communicate rank, clan, dignity or social identity. For example, flower tree eligibility may depend on Bodhiwansha clan identity or specific name associations, while other users may use a stick form.
Check eligibility guidance