[Multiculturalism in Action Project 2016-17] Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan Culture Workshop

On 20 August 2016, the MIA Workshop organized its sixth seminar. The topic was Bangladeshi food culture and gender issues. Ms. Sabina Sultana, a Bangladeshi nutritionist and medical interpreter, was the speaker.

Ms. Sultana told us that a typical Bangladeshi meal includes rice and fish. Although Bangladesh shares similar food culture with India and Pakistan, Bangladeshis in general cook with less spices and herbs. Unlike Northern India and Pakistan where people have naans, Bangladeshis prefer rice in their main meals. Besides, yogurt and tomatoes, which are commonly used in India and Pakistan, are not popular ingredients in Bangladeshi cuisines.

Ms. Sultana explaining Bangladeshi food culture

Ms. Sultana introduced to us that pitha, a cake-like snack, is common in Bangladesh as well as West Bengal in India. It is made from a batter of rice or wheat flour, and filled with sweet or savoury ingredients such as grated coconuts or gurh (condensed cane-sugar). It can be either steamed or fried. Ms. Sultana also told us that ilish is the national fish of Bangladesh, and it is popular in daily meals and festivals alike.  

Ilish (Photo source: Wikipedia)

Although there is no Bangladeshi grocery store in Hong Kong, Ms. Sultana said Bangladeshis get almost everything they need from other South Asian supplies stores and supermarkets. Those items that could not be found in Hong Kong, such as specific rice and vegetables, are brought by relatives or friends from Bangladesh occasionally. She mentioned that the eating habits of her family has been influenced by the Chinese cuisines since moving to Hong Kong nine years ago. For instance, they love to cook with vinegar now, which was very rare in the past.

During the short break, Workshop participants got a chance to taste some Bangladeshi food including a vegetable salad, dal puri (a fried puff bread with mung bean), piazu (a deep-fried snack made with lentils), chicken curry, ruhi (fish) curry, rice, and masala tea, all prepared by a home chef.

Piazu (red in colour) and dullpuri (yellow in colour)

In the second part of the seminar, Ms. Sultana explained to us the gender situation in Bangladesh. She said Bangladeshi women still suffer as an underprivileged group in terms of health services, education, and employment. For instance, there is a big gender earning gap in Bangladesh. According to Ms. Sultana, women only earns USD 0.12 per day, compare to USD 1 earned by man. In terms of politics, the Bangladeshi government is trying to engage more women in the political system such as reserving 50 seats for women in the Parliament. However, Ms. Sultana commented that the process for improving gender inequality is slow because of the lack of rule of law and corruptions in the government.

Lastly, Ms. Sultana pointed out that Islam teachings consider men and women equal and they will receive fair judgements from Allah. Besides, some may question why Muslim men are allowed to marry a maximum of four wives. Ms. Sultana explained that according to the Quran this is only allowed when the men can treat the wives justly and equally. And often people misunderstood and/or abused this teaching. She reminded us that we should consult the Iman or visit the mosques to learn the truth of Islam.

[Multiculturalism in Action 2016-17] Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan Culture Workshop

On 13 August 2016, Mr. Syed Ekram Elahi, President of the Bangladesh Association of Hong Kong (BAHK), was invited to give a talk on the religions and social life of Bangladeshis in Hong Kong.

According to Mr. Syed, most Bangladeshis in Hong Kong are Muslims, with a few Hindu and Buddhist families. Various Islamic and Hindu festivals are observed by the Bangladeshi community in Hong Kong.

In the Eid al-Fitr (Festival of breaking of the fast), Bangladeshi Muslims will gather at mosques for morning prayer, and then visit each other’s homes. People will say “Eid Mubarak”, to greet each other, which means “To wish you a happy Eid”, and it is a custom to hug each other one to three times.

Bangladeshi community gathering at Kowloon Mosque for the Eid prayer
Photo source: Syed Ekram Elahi

Eid al-Adha (Festival of the Sacrifice) is another important festival observed by Bangladeshi Muslims in Hong Kong. Animals such as cows and goats are sacrificed and distributed to relatives and people in need. In Bangladesh, there are cattle markets in every village, while in Hong Kong, they usually buy cows and goats from the Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse.

Mr. Syed explaining Eid al-Adha

Durga Puja, a Hindu festival of Bengali origin, is jointly celebrated by Bangladeshi Hindus and the West Bengalis from India.  It is organized at Henry G. Leong Community Centre in Yau Ma Tei every year.

Durga Puja celebrated at Henry G. Leong Community Centre

In terms of social life, Mr. Syed told us that the family structure in Bangladesh has changed from joint family to nuclear family. Most people opt to live with their parents rather than to live individually. Although arranged marriage is still common in Bangladesh, the role of parents has changed from making decisions to giving advice. According to Mr. Syed, Bangladeshi men usually get married at the age of 28, while women get married at the age of 22 to 25. Gaye holud is a ceremony observed in the Bengali wedding. Henna and turmeric paste are applied to the bride and groom respectively as a form of blessing.

As told by Mr. Syed, it is hard to conclude the marriage pattern of the second generation in Hong Kong as most youth have not reached marriage age yet. However, he believed that most of them will organize wedding activities in Bangladesh because the family’s social networks are there. It is also expected that intercultural marriage will be more popular among Bangladeshi youth who grow up in Hong Kong. 

[Multiculturalism in Action Project 2016-17] Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan Culture Workshop

On 6 August, 2016, the Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan Culture Workshop invited Mr. Dewan Saiful Alam, former President of the Bangladesh Association of Hong Kong, to give a talk on Bangladeshi Culture and the Bangladeshi Community in Hong Kong.

Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Over 90% of the population are Muslims, other are Hindus, Christians, and Buddhist. Geographically speaking, Bangladesh is a plain country and flooding is common during the monsoon season. In rush hours and festival times, Mr. Dewan said using waterways is more convenient and reliable than road transportation. 

Mr. Dewan presenting an overview on Bangladesh

One of the most important days in Bangladesh is the International Mother Language Day. It has been observed annually since 21 February 1952. At that time, Pakistan was planning to impose Urdu as state language in East Pakistan (later became Bangladesh after the independence in 1979). University students and politicians demonstrated for the recognition of Bengali and oppose the imposition of Urdu, and in the process some students were shot dead. Nowadays, it is still an important and emotional day for many Bangladeshis. 

Martyr Monument at the University of Dhaka, commemorates those who were killed in 1952.
Photo source: Essay and Paragraph

Since 2005, the economy in Bangladesh has been rapidly developing. The garment industry in Bangladesh ranks second in the world. Mr. Dewan told us that more than 70% of the businesses owned by Bangladeshis in Hong Kong are related to this field. Tea production is another essential industry in Bangladesh. It owns three of the world’s largest tea gardens, which are all located in the Sylhet Division in the eastern Bangladesh.

According to Mr. Dewan, there are around 2,000 Bangladeshis living in Hong Kong. Most of them have started their businesses in Hong Kong since 1985 as middle people between the textile factories in Bangladesh and the raw material suppliers in China. Nowadays, Bangladeshis are working in various occupations as well, such as bankers, editors, and mobile phone traders. 

The Bangladesh Association of Hong Kong was established in 2003 to support the Bangladeshis living in Hong Kong. Mr. Dewan felt that as the first generation in Hong Kong, it is his duty to help pass down Bengali traditions to the future generation. Every year, the Association organizes various activities, such as celebrations for the Bengali New Year and National Day, to keep their traditions alive in Hong Kong. Besides, there is a weekend school for children to learn Bengali.

Carnival for Bengali New Year
Photo credit: AFM Tariq

Dance performance on National Day
Photo credit: AFM Tariq

Mr. Dewan said language barriers and getting a job are the biggest challenges for Bangladeshis living in Hong Kong. It is not easy to get a job in Hong Kong due to the Chinese language requirement. Many Bangladeshis who have graduated from the universities in Hong Kong have chosen to work in other countries such as Singapore and the US. To Mr. Dewan, it is a loss of human capital for Hong Kong. He said the Association have been negotiating with the government to resolve these issues, and it is hoped that Bangladeshis can truly integrate in Hong Kong, which is home for them. 

[Multiculturalism in Action Project 2016-17] Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan Culture Workshop

On 30 July, 2016, the Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan Culture Workshop organized its weekly seminar at Pearl Lanka, a Sri Lankan grocery store in To Kwa Wan. The first session of the seminar was about food culture in Sri Lanka, presented by Mr. P.B. Thilakarathne, then followed by the second session on gender and family issues in Sri Lanka, presented by Ms. Girtie Jirasihna and Mr. Kanishka Samarasinghe.

The first speaker Mr. Thilakarathne explained that the food culture in Sri Lanka has been influenced by different cultures, especially the Islamic, Indian, and Western cultures. Rice and coconuts were the basics in ancient Sri Lankan cuisine. Later, spices and tea were added to Sri Lankan cuisines as these products were encouraged to be planted by the colonial governments. Nowadays, most foods in Sri Lanka include a touch of rice, coconut, and curry.

Mr. Thilakarathne explaining Sri Lankan food culture

Coconut is an essential ingredient in Sri Lankan cuisine. Unlike the Chinese who put coconut mostly in soup, Sri Lankans have different ways of using coconuts. For example, coconut milk is added to almost all types of curry. Grated coconuts are mixed with spices for coconut sambol, serving as an accompaniment for rice and string hoppers (rice-noodles). Virgin coconut oil can be used in cooking as well as massage.

Mr. Thilakarathne showed us some cooking utensils, such as string hopper mat and presser, clay plot, and puttu (steamed rice cake with coconut) cooker.

String hopper presser (left) and mats (right)

Before the establishment of the first Sri Lankan grocery store in Hong Kong in 2012, Sri Lankan products were brought to Hong Kong occasionally through friends and relatives. Yet, bulky and fresh products such as rice and coconuts could not be brought to Hong Kong. Although the Sri Lankans tried to use substitutes (such as Indian rice and Chinese vegetables), Mr. Thilakarathne said they could not find substitutes for coconuts and fish, the two essential components in Sri Lankan cuisine. Hence, he decided to open a grocery store to serve the needs of Sri Lankans in Hong Kong.

Serving a limited population in Hong Kong, Mr. Thilakarathne admitted that it was tough to run the business, especially due to the high rent in Hong Kong. Besides, not all Sri Lankans would go for Sri Lankan products. For example, some domestic workers have gotten used to the food culture of their employers, and they seldom have time to cook Sri Lankan dishes. Despite these challenges, Mr. Thilakarathne persisted in his import business on high quality and healthy products.  

During the break, participants had a chance to enjoy some great-tasting Sri Lankan dishes including kiribath, string hoppers, koththu, and Sri Lankan doughnuts.

Sri Lankan dishes we had during the break

In the second part of the seminar, Ms. Girtie Jirasihna and Mr. Kanishka Samarasinghe shared with us their views on gender and family issues of the Sri Lankan community.

Mr. Samarasinghe said in ancient Sri Lanka, a family used to have eight to ten children because of the demand for labour in agricultural work.  Nowadays, a family usually has a maximum of four children.

In Sri Lanka, males are usually the breadwinners while females control the house keeping. It is a usual practice to wait for father to start dinner, and the mother will eat only after serving her husband and children. Mr. Samarasinghe said the situation has changed nowadays, as females also receive higher education and work as administrators in companies. Housework is shared by both husband and wife. Ms. Jirasihna told us that the Sri Lankan family expects the first child to be a daughter, as it is believed that the daughter can help to take care of the younger siblings, and to assist mother in housework.

According to Mr. Samarasinghe, arranged marriage is still practiced today but young adults will not be forced to marry someone he/she doesn’t like. It is a common practice for parents to match the horoscopes of the potential bride and groom to judge whether it will be a good or bad marriage. Moreover, parents identify a potential spouse for their children through advertisements in the newspaper. Mr. Thilakarathne said he also got to know his wife this way. Caste system was once a tradition in Sri Lanka, in which people believed that people cannot get married with those from a different caste. However, the speakers said the caste system is no longer a main concern in marriage nowadays, especially for families living in cities.

Mr. Samarasinghe (left) and Ms. Jirasinha (right)

[Multiculturalism in Action Project 2016-17] Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan Culture Workshop

On 23 July 2016, the Multiculturalism in Action (MIA) Project invited Venerable Seegiriye Sumiththa Thero to give a talk on Buddhism and the Sri Lankan Community in Hong Kong.

According to Sumiththa Thero, Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka by Mahinda Thero, a prince of the Maurya Dunasy in India, in 247BC, in the month of Poson (June). Later, the Sri Lankan King sent a request to India for a Bhikkhuni (nun) to preach to the women folk. Theri Sanghamittai, sister of Mahinda Thero, went to Sri Lanka bringing with her a Bodhi tree and planted it in the Mahamewna Gardens. The Poson Festival is now celebrated annually to commemorate the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka.

Until 29 BC, Buddhist teaching in Sri Lanka was passed down orally. Sumiththa Thero said Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka were unique. Each of them should include the following components: sangharama (for residence), uposathagharaya (chapter house for discussions/activities), ponds, Bodhi tree, stupa, image house (for ritual performances), and pirivane (school for monks). Buddhist monasteries can be categorized into four types: 1) Cave temples; 2) Forest hermitages; 3) Buddhist institutions; and 4) Gramavasi temples. But all temples follow the same architectural pattern at entrance, for example, there should be a half-moon stone, guard-stones, and korawakgala on the sides of the steps.

There are differently shaped stupas.

A bell shape stupa in Columbo
Photo source: Michael Coghlan (Flickr)

In everyday life, rituals and festivals are highly influenced by Buddhism. For instance, through alms-giving people accumulate and transfer merits to dead relatives. Bodhi-Puja is another widespread ritual for people to get rid of evil influences.

People offering food to monks
Photo source: Embassy of Sri Lanka, Washing DC

The Sri Lankans in Hong Kong are enthusiastic in maintaining important Buddhist rituals. For example, Bodhi Puja and Poson Day are observed annually. A Dhamma school is established to teach children about Buddhist traditions and knowledge. Cultural Days have been organized to showcase Sri Lankan traditions such as the Ves Dance and Devil Dance.

Dhamma school in Hong Kong

Photo Source: Internet

Ves dance performance
Photo Source: Eranga Chandrasena

Sumiththa Thero said it has been a challenge for Sri Lankans to practice Buddhism in Hong Kong because there is no Sri Lankan temple. They sometimes organized their activities in a Thai temple in Tai Po, but in general it was not easy to book a venue. The Dhamma school, for instance, was organized once a month, instead of once a week as the usual practice in Sri Lanka. Sumiththa Thero concluded that the Sri Lankan community has initiated discussion with government officials to plan the establishment of a Sri Lankan temple. It is very much looking forward to be materialized in the near future.

[Multiculturalism in Action Project 2016-17] Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan Culture Workshop

On 16 July, 2016, the Multiculturalism in Action (MIA) Project presented a seminar on Sri Lankan Culture and the Sri Lankan Community in Hong Kong. This is the first seminar of the fourth South Asian culture workshop in the MIA series, the Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan Culture Workshop. Dr. Thilina Weerasinghe, an engineering consultant working in Hong Kong, was invited to host the seminar.

Social Development

Dr. Weerasinghe started with “Ayubowan!”, a greeting in Sri Lanka, which means “May you live long”.

“Ayubowan” in English, Sinhalese (middle), and Tamil (right)
Photo credit: Venuka Glagoda (Google+)

Introducing Sri Lanka, he said that though it is a small country in terms of size (65610 km2) and population (21 million), it ranked 8th in the World Giving Index in 2015. It was also one of two countries (another one was the Maldives) which had the highest Human Development Index (HDI) among South Asian countries in 2015. After the civil war (1983-2009), Sri Lanka has been rapidly developed. It is most well-known for its natural scenic spots and beaches. Tourism has become an important industry.

In terms of gender, Dr. Weerasinghe said Sri Lanka is a male-dominated country, yet the family is based on mothers who usually make decisions at home. There have been many outstanding women in Sri Lankan history. For instance, Queen Anula (reigned 47BC – 42BC) was the first female head of state in Asia, Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike was Prime Minister of Sri Lanka for three times (1960-65, 1970-77, 1994-2000) and was the first female Prime Minister in the world. At the moment, there are 13 women members of Parliament, making up 5.7% of members of the House and Senate.

Sri Lanka is a multicultural society. The Sinhalese form the largest portion of the population (more than 70%), followed by the Tamils, Muslims, Malays, and Burghers. The Burghers are descendants of marriages between the natives and Europeans (mainly Portuguese, Dutch, and British).

Religion and Culture

Religions practiced in Sri Lanka include Buddhism (70.1% of population), Hinduism (12.6%), Islam (9.7%), and Christianity (7.6%).  Most cultural practices, social values, and traditions in Sri Lanka have found their roots in Buddhism, which was introduced to Sri Lanka by Arahat Mihindu Thero in 300 BC. For instance, the Presidents and Prime Ministers of Sri Lanka were usually Buddhists; Ministry of Buddhasasana is established to enhance Buddhist beliefs in Sri Lanka. Besides, Buddhist festivals and rituals are practiced nationwide, such as the Katina ceremonies and the Bodhi-Puja.

The Sinhala Hindu new year, Aluth Avurudda, is celebrated on 13th or 14th of April. Dr. Weerasinghe explained that the whole nation will carry out the most important rituals at the same time according to the astrologist’s calculations. For instance, the whole nation eat the first meal of the new year at the same time. Interesting games such as kabaddi are played during the holidays.

Family gathering during Aluth Avurudda
Photo credit: The British Council

Another interesting feature in Sri Lanka is the use of astrology in daily life. It is believed that people’s time of birth defines their destiny and a Full Life Reading is made by an astrologist at birth. This Reading is commonly used in identifying a potential spouse. Parents believe that it is necessary that their children’s horoscopes be matched to guarantee a good marriage.

Dr. Weerasinghe said Sri Lanka had the spiciest of food and sweetest of tea. His favourite food was koththu, a mixture of godhamba roti (a flat bread made from wheat flour), vegetables, eggs, and spices. It was a common street food 20-30 years ago, but now it has become a delicacy in restaurants. He also shared with us how the Sri Lankans loved sweets. His family, for instance, used to add four spoons of sugar into a cup of tea.

Koththu
Photo credit: Amila Tennakoon (Flickr)

Sri Lankans in Hong Kong

According to Dr. Weerasinghe, there are about 2,000 Sri Lankans living in Hong Kong. They work in many different occupations, some are professors in universities, some are business people in trading and transport, and there are others who work as domestic workers and solicitors. Many of them feel that Sri Lanka’s traditions and festivals are important and they organize communal celebrations such as the new year Aluth Avurudda, and the Poson Festival celebrating the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.