12/07/2017
This post is more about a community in Galle that most are not aware.
GALLE – a cosmopolitan city.
As the main seaport, until Colombo harbour was commissioned, Galle was the main point of entry to the country. Some of those who came to the Country decided to relocate making Galle their home.
Jakotuwa –ජාකොටුව was the home to the people from Batavia, the present Indonesia. The remaining Portuguese community was concentrated in an area in Unawatuna which is known as Parangiyawatta – පරංගියා වත්ත.
The present Sarenthu kade – සරේන්තු කඩේ was earlier known as the Schengen watta – සෙනජන් වත්ත because of the Swiss who were living there. In the Kaluwella where St. Aloysius and the convent is standing was called Pransa watta – ප්රංස වත්ත because there were several French families living there. There were several families bearing names denoting their ancestry – Lanerole, Van De Bone – වැන්දිබෝන.
China Gardens – චීන කොරටුව got its name because of the many Chinese people who lived in that locality. Many Dutch buildings in Galle and its interior indicates that the Hollanders were fairly widespread. There were Afghans, Persian –Iranian, Turkish, Moroccan migrants living in Galle
Turkish and Moroccans are people of European descent but the majority follow Islam. Traders from the Arab world specifically from Turkey and Morocco were the earliest known visitors to Galle. As traders, they intermingled with the Singhalese, Dutch, and the British communities. They intermarried and most of the longstanding Muslim families of Galle Fort are descendants of those early traders who took up residence in Galle Fort. They could be easily distinguished from their skin complexion that is akin to the Mediterranean people. Among them were many Muslims of Turkish/Moroccan/Iranian heritage who were residents of Galle Fort. Most Afghans lived outside the Galle Fort. Sir Mohamed Macan Markar from Galle was the honorary Counsel for Turkey appointed because of his Mediterranean legacy.
It is easy to distinguish those of Mediterranean descent. they are very fair approaching European complexion.
