Remembered Histories And Forgotten Societies: Some Perceptions On The Portuguese Legacy In Sri Lanka

Abstract

The present paper is an attempt to grasp a perception on the Portuguese legacy in Sri Lanka (Ceylon). It is interesting to note that the Portuguese legacy is viewed under different perspectives by academics, politicians, the media, and the general public in contemporary Sri Lanka. This perception has changed over time and is related to the socio-cultural background of particular periods in History. In general, the Portuguese legacy has always been viewed under dual standards in Sri Lanka, i.e., both as an historical fact and as a social force. The Portuguese legacy as an historical fact is well remembered, but it has often been forgotten, or at least underestimated, as a social force. The Portuguese arrived in Sri Lanka – which was then known as Silao – in 1505 and remained there until 1658. Initially, they were traders and supporters of the Kingdom of Kotte but soon became the masters of the Kingdom, gaining and losing territory along time. The Portuguese built the fortress of Colombo and many others around the costal belt of the Island and ruled the maritime provinces of Sri Lanka until the Dutch seized power with the support of the Kandyan kingdom. The Portuguese were the first Western power encountered by Sri Lankans, as well as by several other nations in Latin America, Africa and Asia. They influenced every aspect of Sri Lankan culture during their presence. Their legacy can be witnessed in the coastal belt more than in the inland areas. Interestingly, there are some descendants of mixed marriages with the Portuguese, although most have been assimilated and are difficult to be recognized nowadays. A casual survey into the life, language and landscape of Sri Lanka will reveal some interesting aspects of the Portuguese legacy. Likewise, a thorough research will indicate the underlying currents of socialization and the roots of present perceptions about the Portuguese legacy in the island. The present paper emphasizes the forgotten aspects of the Portuguese legacy and attempts to theorize the indigenization of foreign elements, while trying to understand the perception of historical facts in the contemporary socio-cultural milieu.