Patterns and Challenges of Social Identity: An Analysis of Third Space Perspective on Afro-Sri Lankans in Sirambiadiya

Abstract

This study explores a community that is less known in Sri Lanka – Afro-Sri Lankan community or Kaffirs, that is considered as the smallest ethnic minority in the country. Earlier their members were scattered in few places in Negambo, Jaffna, Kalpitiya and Puttalam, but one of the remaining and known community now lives in Sirambiadiya. It has been studied as having a distinctive culture especially focusing on their unique music and dance known as ‘Maanja’. This research investigated Sirambiadiya as a marginalized space with reference to Edward Soja’s notion of Third Space. Soja’s third space insists us to look at places such as Sirambiadiya focusing on their lived experiences, rather than setting them as objective/perceived (first spaces) or subjective/conceived (second spaces) spaces. Here, in order to understand formulation of social identity and challenges of this ethnic minority, a field research with in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were done. Results revealed that the ethnic identity of Afro-Sri Lankans is neglected in the category of “other” in the official discourses and therefore their ethnic identity is at stake. Because of the lack of recognition, they are marginalized as a separate space amidst other villages. Their physical appearance reminding the African descent helps to formulate their identity. Yet, they now try to formulate their social identity while trying to exhibit their creole culture. The study concludes that in the case of people in Sirambiadiya, looking at it as a third space, their identity has become a problem in the rendering of their everyday life.