Muslim Culture

In a brilliant and much needed documentary directed by Nadya Perera, one of the fast dying heritages of Sri Lankan Muslims, namely their musical traditions, has been brought to light. The Muslim community and particularly its younger generation is in debt to this Sinhala director for what she has painstakingly accomplished in bringing back memories from a dying generation of Muslim musicians, …

Of all feminine adornments, none charm and enchant more than nose ornaments. Be they rings or studs, there is something so striking about them when they grace a woman’s face. Just as the jewel in the crown gives the queen her splendour, a jewel in the nose of even a common damsel enhances her allure. Perhaps the most famous Sri …

Putting on Henna or Egyptian Privet (Lawsonia Inermis) to form intricate designs on the bride’s hands and feet is an important pre-nuptial custom among all major Muslim communities of the island, be they Moor, Malay, Memon or Bohra. The practice is also known among many other Muslim peoples. The custom bears a striking resemblance to the Mehndi Raat (Henna night) of Hindustani …

The Moor women of old were a highly cultured lot and had evolved a number of traditional customs and passed down the ages from mother to daughter over several generations. Some of these had a religious basis based as they were on the Islamic faith, while others were meant to ensure cleanliness and charm their menfolk. Here are some of …

The Gira Sandesha composed in the 15th century is a typical Sinhala Sandesha or Messenger Poem where a parrot serves as the Messenger. This poem refers to a people known as Baburan: matvana abin kaṅsā kā ralu paralu attana kusum rat mal kanä lā lakulu gatvana maguru leḷavā ädä ädä ravulu sit mena bamana baburan raňga bala yahalu   “Have a …

Little is it known that the Muslim community of Sri Lanka also have a caste group. This is the Osta caste who have not traditionally intermarried or interdined with the rest of the community. They are very much part of the local Muslim community but also distinct in their own way, and this is what makes them unique. The Osta …