Malay community makes its mark
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‘Persaudarann (Brotherhood)’ is an apt title for this book, symbolising the cordiality which characterises the close relations the Malays of Sri Lanka have with the Sinhalese and other peoples of their homeland Sri Lanka. Its young author is yet a medical student who was inspired to research the roots of his own ethnic community, the Malays of Sri Lanka.
He recounts their history from ancient times to the present day where our Malay brethren have played a significant role. He writes of their unique customs, patois, costumes, cuisine and beliefs in a simple and unpretentious style. He writes of the ‘Nyonya’ sub group as well as the Royals exiled by the Dutch from their “Dutch East Indies’.
To place them in today’s context he gives a comprehensive Who’s Who of the many Malays who made their mark in Sri Lanka’s public life in various fields ranging from politics, public service, the arts, entertainment, medicine,to the armed services, sports and many more.
Zameer Careem has done a great service to Sri Lanka’s Malay community by writing a book that will, I am sure, long remain, a source book for scholars and students of the sociology and history of Sri Lanka.
( The book will be launched this evening at the Padang auditorium off Kew Road, Colombo 2)
| Book facts: “Persaudaran”-Zameer Careem. Godage Publishers 2016. Reviewed by Tissa Devendra |