A study of the Afro-Sri Lankan Community of Sri Lankain Puttalam, Kalpitiya and Trincomalee

Abstract

Sri Lankan Africans or Sri Lankans of African descent (also known derogatorily as Kaffirs or Kapiri) are a very small ethnic group in Sri Lanka who are descendants of African workers and soldiers brought to the island by Portuguese colonists in the 17th Century. The Afro-Sri Lankan community of Sri Lanka is merging with the Sri Lankan society and their African identity is not preserved in their culture or their language.Therefore, it was useful to research into the distribution and preservation of this community. The research was focused on tracing and identifying the Afro-Sri Lankan communities scattered in the county. The research conducted on this community was mostly regarding their music and dance of one community. The aim of this study therefore was to identify other communities and document their social and cultural heritage. Most research studies are focused on the Afro-Sri Lankan community living in Sirambi Adiya, Puttalam. The famous song and dance of Kaffir Manja is found in the Afro-Sri Lankan community in Puttalam. The community living in Trincomalee and Kalpitiya were not included in them. Therefore this research study presents data on the Afro-Sri Lankan community living in Trincomalee and Kalpitiya as well. Also the scattered families living in many parts of Sri Lanka such as Negombo, Jaffna,Wanathamulla and Hokandara were contacted and included in the research. The present research included data from male and female participants who volunteered from the community. The research subjects were selected from all Afro-Sri Lankan communities the researcher was able to find in Sri Lanka. The research instruments used were speech recordings and interviews. The research finding will be documented and preserved for future research.