|
SRI
LANKA > CULTURE AND PEOPLE
 |
|
CULTURE
AND PEOPLE
| Nationality |
Noun
- Sri Lankan(s) Adjective - Sri Lankan |
| Languages |
Sinhala
(official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national
language) 18%, English & other languages 8% |
| Population |
19,408,635 (July 2001 est.) |
| Population
density |
292per
sq. km |
| Population
growth |
0.87%
(2001 est.) |
Sri
Lanka is a Republic and a member of the Commonwealth.
It is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country - a rich
mix brought about by waves of foreign invasion and long
periods of colonisation, reflected in the architecture,
infrastructure, art and the collective Sri Lankan psyche.
Diversity seems to be the key word, enriching the social
structure of this island. But is has also tragically caused
an ethnic conflict which has escalated over the years,
deepening the rift between communities and effectively
slowing down the economic growth of the country.
The total population of 18.5 million is made up of -
74% Sinhalese
18.1% Tamils
7.1% Muslims
0.8% Burghers,Malays and
other nationalities.
|
 |
|
69.4
of the population are Buddhists while 15.5% follow Hinduism,
7.6% of the population are Christians while the balance
7.5% follow Islam.
SINHALESE
| |
The
majority Sinhalese of which 69.4% are Buddhist, speak Sinhala
and the balance are Christian by conversion during colonial
times. Early rulers divided Sinhalese society into four main
castes: counsellors, kings, merchants and farmers with some
minor castes added on to ensure the smooth operation of the
society of the day. This system developed over the years with
the farming community becoming the predominant social group
with the king as head of the community. Although the caste system
does exist even today, it is far less important and generally
presents no bar to occupational or social advancement. However,
it is taken in to account when marriages are contracted in the
"old way", complete with a "marriage broker"
who would introduce the families of a prospective bride and
groom, thought to be compatible. |
TAMILS
| |
The
second largest ethnic group, the Tamils are Dravidian people
originating from South India. They speak the Tamil language
and are largely Hindu by religion with some converting to Christianity.
Descendants of early settlers are concentrated in the north
and east of the island and are referred to as Jaffna Tamils.
A second wave of immigration occurred in the early 19th century
when British rulers imported labour from Tamil Nadu in South
India, for work on the tea plantations. These people are still
concentrated in the plantation areas and are known as "Indian
Tamils", "Estate" or "Up-Country Tamils."
The majority of Hindu Tamils adhere to a rigid caste system,
though it is more relaxed in Sri Lanka than it is in India.
. |
MUSLIMS
| |
During
medieval times international trade around the Indian Ocean was
monopolised by Arab merchants. In Sri Lanka too they dominated
coastal trade with many of them settling around the main ports.
The majority of Muslims here are descendants of those merchants,
although their Arab features have undergone a vast change over
the centuries and today are very Sri Lankan. These are the Ceylon
Moors and they are found living all around the island, especially
in the east and north where the majority speak the Tamil language.
Those living in the interior areas are more likely to speak
the Sinhala language. Laws of their strict Islamic faith dominate
their social mores. Another very small community of Muslims
were imported from Malaya to boost regiments here during the
Dutch period and their descendants are simply known as Malays.
Yet another group arrived from the Malabar Coast in India during
the 19th century and are called Coast Moors. |
OTHERS
| |
The
original inhabitants of the island were the Veddhas. These primitive
hunter-gatherers were here long before anyone else, although
nobody knows exactly how or when they arrived. These aboriginal
people have been displaced and dispossessed of their traditional
hunting grounds, and they have been relocated at various places
thought to be most like their original homes. Their ancient
way of living including their language, social habits and worship
of ancestral spirits is sadly fast disappearing. The Veddhas
now number only a few hundred as many have been absorbed in
to the Sinhalese community. However, they still retain two pockets
of land in the Uva hills where they continue to live as they
have always lived, by their hunting skills and off the land.
Long periods of colonisation have resulted in many colonists
opting to stay on, making Sri Lanka their permanent home. Many
married into the local community and their descendants are now
known collectively as Burghers. They make up around 0.2% of
the local population although their contribution to society
has been of much greater magnitude. The gregarious Portuguese
Burghers, exclusively Roman Catholic, were traditionally concentrated
around Batticaloa on the East Coast and a northern suburb of
Colombo. The more conservative Dutch Burghers first settled
around Matara in the south of the island, later moving towards
the south of Colombo. They continue to follow the Lutheran and
Calvinist religion of their forefathers. Both communities consider
English to be their mother tongue. There are a few other tiny
groups adding to the marvellous melting pot that is Sri Lanka.
The Parsis, Bohras and Memons from India, Afghans, Chinese and
even African Kaffirs, all lend extra flavour and exotic spice
to the mixture! |
|
|
|
|
