The Memon Legacy: From merchants to trailblazers

“The Memons are quite conservative, with marriages traditionally taking place within the community. Despite our relatively small local population, we remain closely-knit,”- Hussein Bhaila, A former President of Memon Association of Sri Lanka

From simple traders who arrived at the island’s shores three generations ago, the Memons have reached significant milestones over the years and gone on to dazzle as industrial leaders and reputed political figures. 

Predominantly a Mercantile Community, the Memons trace their ancestral roots to Northern India. They are considered one of Asia’s most widely dispersed communities; found across the bustling business hubs of South Asia, South Africa, parts of Europe and beyond. According to ‘The Memons of Sri Lanka: Men, Memoirs, Milestones’ written by Asiff Hussein and Hameed Karim Bhoja, the most commonly accepted belief regarding the origin of the Memons is the Lohana theory. The theory fundamentally describes that the Memons originated from a Hindu merchant group known as the ‘Lohanas’ who lived in Sind (modern-day Pakistan). They supposedly embraced Islam through the influence of a Muslim saint adopting the name ‘Mumin’

(Arabic for believer), which later evolved into ‘Memon’. There is no doubt that Sri Lanka, referred to as the Isle of Sarandib or Saylan by the Arabs, eventually attracted this industrious community, given the country’s strategic location and abundant resources. Hence, the Memons arrived not only in pursuit of business opportunities, but also with the intention of permanent domicile. 

Globally, the total Memon population is estimated to exceed 3.5 million, with the majority residing in India and Pakistan, while the Sri Lankan Memon community numbers just over 10,000. At present, the Memons, known for their trading and entrepreneurial skills, are mainly settled in various parts of Colombo and its suburbs.

Cultural identity, values and language 

The Memons, known to be a dynamic community, have preserved the traditions passed down from their Indian ancestors which continue to shape the local Memon culture. This is evident through their Mehendi ceremonies and even their cuisine which bears a strong resemblance to traditional North Indian dishes. 

During an interview, Hussein Bhaila, the first Memon Member of Parliament and former President of the Memon Association of Sri Lanka, said “The Memons are quite conservative, with marriages traditionally taking place within the community. Despite our relatively small local population, we remain closely-knit.” 

When asked about some of the key traditions and values that define the community, Bhaila stated that their traditions, though originally part of the Hindu culture, have evolved over time with the influence of Islam. Certain cultural practices that were followed until the late 60s, such as breaking a coconut upon arrival of the bride, are no longer part of Memon traditions. “In the previous decades, love marriages were unthinkable, it was always arranged and the couple would only meet on the day of the wedding, which was celebrated with great grandeur. However, things have changed and inter-marriages with other Muslim communities are no longer frowned upon. There are also a few marriages taking place outside the religion, although still rare, are generally accepted by the community,” Bhaila added. 

In the face of globalization, the community manages to preserve its cultural heritage while embracing modernity. This appears to be a direct result of religious obligations and the community’s strong bond. Bhaila explained that many young Memons have migrated abroad, particularly to the UK, US, and Canada. However, once they return and reconnect with the local community, these traditions are revived, especially since a conscious effort is made to speak their language.

The medium of the Memons, known as ‘Memani’ or ‘Kacchi’ is an Indo-Aryan language regarded as a dialect of Sindhi. It has no formal script and is merely passed down orally through generations as a traditional form of speech. 

“While 90% of the community speaks Memani, our original language, Gujarati, is becoming endangered. Only about five or six of us, including myself, still speak it, since ‘Urdu’ has become more dominant, particularly in Madrasas (an Islamic education institution),” remarked Bhaila. 

Legacy of business captains 

Historically, the Memons have been known for their entrepreneurial skills and this legacy continues to date. Starting as small-time traders who arrived in Jaffna, the community has evolved with members thriving in their respective fields as mass producers.

Bhaila explained that many of the businesses are now operating as multinational companies. “Originally textile dealers, we have since expanded into various sectors, including food, mass media, health care and so on. We have several industrial giants such as Expolanka Holdings, Brandix, Phoenix Industries and EAM Maliban Textiles, along with restaurant chains like Crepe runner, Epi-Q Express Gourmet, and other North Indian hotels,” Bhaila noted, portraying the diverse scope of their business involvement. 

When asked about how the community fosters and encourages business development both locally and internationally, he revealed that the Memon Association of Sri Lanka and the World Memon Organization, which has chapters globally, play a major role in this regard. “We often come together for religious or cultural events, where we interact and exchange ideas. When business opportunities arise, we would offer our fullest support as well. Introducing yourself as a Memon to another Memon is truly an advantage,” he reflected. 

Embracing the academics 

In recent decades, many young Memons have shifted from the traditional involvement in business and have prioritised higher education instead. 

“In the past, the community did not place much emphasis on education, especially for girls. However, this mindset has shifted in recent years, with both male and female education now being equally prioritised. As a result, we have produced many professionals, with an increasing number of young lawyers and doctors. In fact, my sister was the first female Memon doctor to graduate from the country,” Bhaila proudly shared. He spoke enthusiastically about the youth, noting that they have moved away from the traditional ideologies of their parents. He said that this shift is a direct result of education, which has empowered them to think for themselves.

Political involvement 

Politics was once discouraged, mainly due to the stereotypes surrounding the Memons, as many believed that a community of traders was ill-suited for such state affairs. Bhaila said “This mindset gradually changed and we became politically active in the 60s, with our first candidate running in Kalkudah and a female contestant from Negombo. By the 2000s, several members were appointed to government institutions and in 2004, we had the opportunity to represent the Memon community in Parliament. I was appointed Deputy Minister of Advanced Technology and National Enterprise Development, and subsequently Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Now, we have a President’s Counsel Mr. Illiyas Admani and the first Memon Governor of Western province, Mr. Hanif Yusoof. Our members have indeed become more civic conscious and assertive about our rights and duties. My personal aspiration is to see a Memon reach the magisterial level and eventually serve on the bench of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka,” Bhaila heartily added. 

Memon altruism

The community takes pride not only in their industrial leadership, but also in their philanthropy, when addressing broader societal issues. They have consistently been at the forefront in times of disaster. Bhaila recalled several events, including the tsunami, Kantale dam disaster, Kalmunai floods and the recent pandemic, where members gathered at the Memon Association to coordinate humanitarian aid. 

“Moreover, the M. H. Omar Liver Care Facility was donated by Mr. M. H Omar while Eliyas Abdul Kareem funded a full-fledged urology and nephrology surgical unit to the National Hospital in Colombo. Several mosques, orphanages and homes were also built island-wide, with the community continuing to support their operations. We provide assistance to those in need, particularly through the Zakat fund managed by the Memon Association,” Bhaila explained.

During his final remarks, Bhaila said “Our greatest strength lies in our strong sense of unity and what personally inspires me about the community is its philanthropy, not only focused on the welfare of Memons but also on the progress of society as a whole.”