Sri Lankan Malays
ශ්රී ලංකා මැලේ ජනතාව இலங்கை மலாய் மக்கள் | |
---|---|
Sri Lankan Malays (
Sri Lankan Malays first settled in the country in 200 B.C., when the
History
A significant Malay presence in Sri Lanka dates as far back as the 13th century, when
Society
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1881 | 8,900 | — |
1891 | 10,100 | +13.5% |
1901 | 11,900 | +17.8% |
1911 | 13,000 | +9.2% |
1921 | 13,400 | +3.1% |
1931 | 16,000 | +19.4% |
1946 | 22,500 | +40.6% |
1953 | 25,400 | +12.9% |
1963 | 33,400 | +31.5% |
1971 | 43,500 | +30.2% |
1981 | 47,000 | +8.0% |
1989 (est.) | 48,000 | +2.1% |
2001 | 54,800 | +14.2% |
2011 | 40,189 | −26.7% |
Source: Sri Lankan Government Census. |
Language
Depending on where they live in the country and other socio-economic factors, Sri Lankan Malays speak Sinhala, Tamil, and/or English. According to the 2012 census, 79.2%, or 28,975 Sri Lankan Malays also spoke Tamil and 66.2%, or 24,202 also spoke English.[8]
Religion
Like their ancestors in present-day Indonesia and Malaysia, Sri Lankan Malays are Muslim.[9] Mosques were erected by the local Malays along the coasts of Sri Lanka in places like Hambantota, Beruwela, and Galle. The Jawatte mosque in Colombo and Masjidul Jamiya, the military mosque on Slave Island, are renowned for their architecture and long history.[citation needed] The first two storeys of the Grand Mosque in Sri Lanka was built by Mohammed Balankaya, an exiled Malay noble of the royal house of Gowa (in present-day Sulawesi, Indonesia).[10] Today, the mosque is of great significance and is a symbol of Muslims in Sri Lanka; it is the Grand Mosque of Sri Lanka, where decisions affecting the lives of the island's Muslim population are made.[11]
Sri Lankan Malay names
First and last names among Sri Lankan Malays are mostly of Sanskrit origin and are similar (including equivalents) to names used by Sinhalese people.[12][13] Common last names include Jayah, Weerabangsa, Sinhawangsa/Sinhawansa, Jayawangsa, Singalaxana, Bangsa Jayah, and Wangsa.[12] Malay-origin last names include Lye, Samath, Cuttilan, Chunchie, Preena, Hannan, Sallay, Doole, Kitchilan, Kutinun, Kanchil, Sainon, Bongso, Bohoran, Kuppen, and Lappen.[12] Arabic names are also used by Sri Lankan Malays, including Saldin, Assan, Rahman, Drahaman, Bucker, Ramlan, Rajap, Jumat, and Mannan. Prefixes of Malay origin such as Tuan, Maas, and Raden for males and Gnei, Nona, Sitti Nona, and Gnonya for females are commonly used as first names among Sri Lankan Malays.[12][13]
Legacy
Organisations
- All Ceylon Malay Political Union
- Colombo Malay Cricket Club
- Sri Lanka Malay Association
- Malay Association Kolonnawa Electorate (MAKE)
- Conference of Sri Lanka Malays
- Dunia Melayu Dunia Islam
- Kurunegala Malay Association
Malay place names in Sri Lanka
Some place names in Sri Lanka have references indicating the presence of Javanese and Malay communities or their contribution to the location.[9] Some of these are:
- Ja Goda [14]
- Ja Kotuwa [14]
- Thavasikulam[14]
- Hambanthota (Sampan- Thota)[14]
- Taiyiddi [14]
- Thachathopu [14]
- Jawatte [14]
- Kartel [14](Slave Island)
- Ja-Ela [14]
- Javakachcheri [14](Chavakachcheri)
- street names such as Malay Street, Java Lane, Jalan Padang[14]
Notable Sri Lankan Malays
See also
- Islam in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lankan Malay language
- List of Sri Lankan Malays
- Malayisation
- Malay invasions of Sri Lanka
Notes
- ^ This number represents the number of Sri Lankans with Malay ancestry who settled in Sri Lanka after the 13th century, primarily during the colonial era. It is distinct from the ancient waves of migration of Malays and Javanese who settled in Sri Lanka during and prior to the 13th century, who intermarried into the Sinhalese population thousands of years ago.[2]
- ^ This information refers to the distinct ancient waves of Malay and Javanese migrants who settled in Sri Lanka during and prior to the 13th century and intermarried into the Sinhalese population thousands of years ago.[2]
References
- ^ "A2 : Population by ethnic group according to districts, 2012". Census of Population & Housing, 2011. Department of Census & Statistics, Sri Lanka.
- ^ a b c d e Goonewardene, K.W. (July 1843). "Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society Vol. VII". Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society. 7: 257. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
- ^ "The Malay Identity in Brunei Darussalam and Sri Lanka" By B. A. Hussainmiya(Universiti Brunei Darussalam)
- ^ "Locating the Filipino as Malay: A Reassertion of Historical Identity from the Regional Periphery" Published online by Cambridge University Press (20 January 2020)
- ^ "Astronesians Historical and Comparative Perspectives" Page 146 "Annual trade between China and India through the Malacca Straits had opened by about 200 BC. Perhaps by that time Austronesian sailors were regularly carrying cloves and cinnamon to India and Sri Lanka, and perhaps even as far as the coast of Africa in boats with outriggers. Certainly they have left numerous traces in canoe design, rigs, outriggers and fishing techniques, and a mention in Greek literature (Christie 1957)."
- ^ "Malays in Sri Lanka".
- ^ "Population by ethnic group, census years" (PDF). Department of Census & Statistics, Sri Lanka. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 November 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing 2011". www.statistics.gov.lk. Department of Census and Statistics. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
- ^ a b Kalabooshana S. B. C. Halaldheen (25 January 2002). "Features: Sri Lanka Malays in focus". Daily News. Archived from the original on 27 April 2003.
- ISBN 95-594-1902-1.
- ISBN 978-02-412-8997-6.
- ^ a b c d Hussainmiya, Bachamiya Abdul (1987). Lost Cousins: The Malays of Sri Lanka. Institut Bahasa. p. 8.
- ^ a b "Names in Sri Lanka". asian-recipe.com. Asian-Recipe. 2 January 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ ISBN 9789553069047.