Sri Lankan Malays
 |
| A Sri Lankan Malayan man and his child |
| Total population |
|---|
| 50,000 |
| Regions with significant populations |
 Sri Lanka 50,000 |
| Languages |
|
Sri Lankan Creole Malay, Sinhalese, others |
| Religion |
| Related ethnic groups |
The Malays of Sri Lanka (also known in Sinhalese language as Ja Minissu, Javanese) originated in Southeast Asia and today consist of about 50,000 people. Their early ancestors came to the country when both Sri Lanka and Indonesia were colonies of the Dutch, while the second wave (1796–1948) came from the Malay Peninsular, when both Malaya and Sri Lanka were in the British Empire.
Most of the early immigrants were soldiers, posted by the Dutch which later continued by the British for colonial administration to Sri Lanka, who decided to settle on the island. Other immigrants were convicts or members of noble houses from Dutch East Indies (present day Indonesia) who were exiled to Sri Lanka and who never left. The main source of a continuing Malay identity is their common Malay language. Many Sri Lankan Malays have been celebrated as courageous soldiers, politicians, sportsmen, lawyers, accountants and doctors.
Contents |
[edit] Malay Place Names in Sri Lanka
Some place names in Sri Lanka have references, indicating the presence of Malay communities or contribution to the location.[1] Some of these are:
- Jawatte
- Kartel (Slave Island)
- Ja-Ela
- Javakachcheri (Chavakachcheri)
and names of streets such as Malay Street, Java Lane, Jalan Padang
[edit] Etymology
The local Malays refer to themselves as orang Java (people of Java) and orang Melayu (Malay people) while the majority Sinhalese community call them Ja-minissu (Javanese people).
[edit] Culture
The Malays are renowned and celebrated by the locals, for their distinctive vibrancy, authentic traditions and above all their enormous service, their valour, and immaculate loyalty. The poem, The "Orang Melayu" by Mohammed Zameer Careem portray the aura of Malays, their heritage, culture and legacy with its vivacious, simple and eloquent language.
[edit] Language
[edit] Religion
Like their ancestors in Malaysia and Indonesia, almost all Sri Lankan Malays are Muslim[2] Sri Lankan Malay muslims for over many centuries have rendered an enormous service and extensive support to uplift and secure the divine and pristine religion, Islam. Many mosques were erected by the local Malays, mainly in the serene coasts of Sri Lanka especially in Hambantota, Beruwela, and in Galle and it helps echoes their long and distictive history. The Jawatte mosque in Colombo and Masjidul Jamiya, the military mosque in Slave Island are acclaimed mosques renowned for its sumptuous architecture and long history. The first two storey mosque in Sri Lanka was built by HH Mohammed Balankaya, An exiled noble Malay entourage who hailed from the Royal House of Gowa (in present-day Sulawesi), and today, the mosque is of great significance and is a symbol of Muslims in Sri Lanka and is the Grand Mosque of Sri Lanka. Malays have since preserved their heritage left behind by their forefathers as men of great energy and optimism.
[edit] Organisations
[edit] Notable Sri Lankan Malays
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- [(Directory on Sri Lanka Malays - Edition 2 - ISBN NO : 978-955-8529-01-0 Published by Sri Lanka Malay Association - December 2008)]
|
||||||||||||||
|
|||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
