Asia · Kandyan hill country, Sri Lanka · G039

Attam Paddy

A day in your paddy repaid with a day in mine.

Back of Attam Paddy: the Attam paddy labour exchange tradition, how a note would work, and the traits of Noun #33 — Back · the tradition

Security Edition v2

The same note set like a banknote: full engraved portrait of Noun #33, guilloche, watermark, thread, foil stripe and microtext, all printed art. What's on it

Security Edition front of Attam Paddy: a line-engraved portrait of the full actual Noun #33 in a guilloche oval beside a watermark window, thread and holographic-look stripe — Security Edition · front

Security Edition back of Attam Paddy: a color medallion of Noun #33 in a guilloche rosette, with the note's story — Security Edition · back

v2 front SVG ↓ v2 back SVG ↓

The tradition · traditional; declining since 1970s

Attam paddy labour exchange

Attam is a reciprocal labour exchange in Sinhalese paddy villages, repaid day for day in labour; 1970s–80s studies recorded its decline as wage labour spread, though it survives in places.

Source: Traditional exchange-labour in hill country Sri Lanka: A study of the attam institution (NSF Sri Lanka digital library) ↗

How a note would work

Furrows are earned by working a day in another member's garden or field and spent on an equal day of help in yours. They are never bought or cashed out.

Design concept inspired by this tradition, not issued by or for the people who keep it. Not legal tender, not for sale, no cash value, no redemption and no investment rights.

Front SVG ↓ Back SVG ↓ Machine edition

PlaceKandyan hill country, Sri Lanka
Eratraditional; declining since 1970s
RegionAsia
UnitFurrow · Furrows
Face value7 Furrows
SerialGB-G039-N0033
NounActual Noun #33 ↗
Why this NounFrogs are paddy-field regulars, and the infinity sign on its chest suits a favour that keeps going round.
Headfrog
Glassessquare grey light
Bodyteal light
Accessoryinfinity
Seedbg 1 · body 27 · acc 60 · head 89 · glasses 9