Sunday Times E-Paper

‘Malays of Sri Lanka’: Story of a vibrant culture, people

From a language in which many Sinhala terms have originated to relished food including the likes of Nasi Goreng or Pittu, the minuscule Malay community of Sri Lanka has maintained its unique niche in the social fabric of the country for centuries, standing side by side with their brothers and sisters of other communities.

Now the life and times of the Malays, whose origins come from the island of Java in Indonesia, are chronicled in a delightful 224-page coffee table book titled ‘Malays of Sri Lanka’ written by Alvin Sallay, a veteran journalist who has worked in Sri Lanka and Hong Kong.

The book, launched on Tuesday at a gala event in Colombo graced by the Indonesian Ambassador Dewi Gustina Tobing, was released to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the Colombo Malay Cricket Club (CMCC) and the 100th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Malay Association (SLMA), both commemorated this year.

The launch also brought under the spotlight colourful traditional dances, one very similar to baila, drumming and songs with a majority of the Malay male invitees sporting batik shirts and female invitees lungi-type attire.

The last official census counted a little over 40,000 Malays, 0.2 per cent of Sri Lanka’s population and the book takes a close look at how the community meets often at the “Padang (playing field)”, the Malay Club at Slave Island.

Generally referred to as “Ja Minissu” meaning people from Java, Indonesia, some of the common last names of the Malays, according to the book, are Jayah, Weerabangsa, Sinhawangsa/Sinhawansa, Jayawangsa, Singalaxana, Bangsa Jayah, Wangsa, Lye, Samath, Cuttilan, Chunchie, Preena, Hannan, Sallay, Doole, Kitchilan, Kutinun, Kanchil, Sainon, Bongso, Bohoran, Kuppen and Lappen.

The book delves into history, going back in time to 1214 and how Kalinga Magha, a prince apparently from India (with some saying he was a Malay monarch), along with an army of 24,000 personnel including

Malay soldiers captured Raja Rata and established his seat of power at Polonnaruwa.

In 1505, the Portuguese arrived, establishing commerce and taking over territory with the help of Malay soldiers brought from Malacca. Over a century later, in 1640, came the Dutch, driving away the Portuguese but bringing the ‘constant’ factor of Malays but this time from all over the Indonesian and Malay archipelagos.

In 1944, among the submissions made by the Soulbury Commission appointed to make recommendations for the granting of independence from the British to this island nation, was that there should be Malay representation in the legislature.

Little nuggets of information emerge from the book. On why Malays joined the forces and Police, retired Brigadier T.M. Bohoran says: “We are a martial race. And Malays are famous for their patriotism, unwavering loyalty and bravery.”

From the pages of this colourful book spring the achievements of Malay legal luminaries, scholars, sol

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2022-12-04T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-12-04T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://sundaytimes.pressreader.com/article/283510799972378

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