'Malay Street' - revived

The Sri Lanka Malay Union of Families (Aalul Mahfil) proudly celebrates 75 years of their existence in our country with a revival of Malay Street - a street that was well-known for its traditional culinary delights in the years gone by.

Malay Street will be a hive of activity, complete with traditional music and dances choreographed by the famous Rufin Saldin. The venue is the Governor's rooftop, Mount Lavinia Hotel from March 23 to April 1 and the celebration is a dinner buffet where you can savour all the delicacies that Malays are well-known for.

History has it that Malays are an ethnic group referred to of people who spoke the language Bahasa Melayn and who arrived then to Sri Lanka from Indonesia and Malaysia. A majority of the Malays have made Sri Lanka their homeland and according to Aalul Mahfil there are approximately 60,000 Malays in this country.

Most of the Malay / Javanese soldiers served in the regular army of the Dutch led by the princely class of Malay / Javanese families. A point of interest is that the martial influences are seen in the cultural dance movements of the Malays.

Although Malay social customs are not significantly different from those of the Moors, yet there are a few practices that do differ. For instance the singing of Panthongs on festive occasions.

The traditional Malay dress worn by the men is today seen mostly at ceremonial functions and in some families at their homes. The Malay women proudly wear their dress for functions and when they wear the sari they dress the Indian style sari with a hood left at the back to cover the head when going outdoors.

Malays are well-recognised for their artistry in painting, batik printing and rattan weaving. At the Malay Street promotion the traditional music will be performed. Mention must be made of the unusual viola that will be played to entertain the guests.

The viola with haunting musical notes has attached to it a permanent horn similar in shape to HMV gramophone horn and we understand that this valuable viola has come down from generation to generation to stay permanently in Sri Lanka. Apparently there is another one too in existence.

The dinner buffet at Malay Street will feature all the spicy foods like Pittu and Babath, meat dishes like Daging Chuka, Sate Daging, the seven vegetables Kolak Curry, Satay and Malay Kueh, Nasi Goreng and the many delicious pickles. For memories it's Malay Street.