Marakkalage


Marakkala is the modern colloquial term for Muslims, although Marakkalage is another uniquely Karava ancestral name and is also used by several traditional Karava families of Sri Lanka todate. Variant forms are : Maha Marakkalage, Arasa Marakkalage, Andra Marakkalage, Antinna Marakkalage, Kodi Marakkalage, Loku Marakkalage, Manna Marakkalage, Sandra Marakkalage and Marakkala Malimige
The name Marakkalage derives from the type of craft Marakkar used in trade and warfare by the rulers of the Kuru Mandala coast and Sri Lanka. This may be an allusion to the Muslim Arabic traders who were the prominent shipmen of pre and early Colonial Sri Lanka. They were also used in their naval battles against the Portuguese, Dutch, British and other Europeans in the 16th, 17th and 18th century. The ancestors of the families bearing these names may have been Muslim traders, or the owners or commanders of such vessals.
Gallappathige and Manavige, Malimage meaning ship's captain was also bestowed as an honor.
The Karavas claim to be the traditional martial and naval community of Sri Lanka and the preservation of that naval tradition in such mediaeval names is of interest.
A stamp issued by India shows the Marakkar war-paroe, a boat that could carry 30-40 men and could be sailed or rowed in the sea as well as through lagoons and narrow waters. These crafts and the more ancient Maha Oru were also used in their naval battles against the Portuguese in the 16th century to attack Portuguese ships. The last of the traditional Sinhala sailing ships were known as Maha Oru and Yatra Oru.