Abstract:
This study presents a very small community within the Sinhalese context of Sri Lanka in light of academic interest:
the Kaffirs. Their communal history reaches far back into colonial times, and they did not distinguish clearly from
which territories in Africa these Kaffirs, an expression introduced by Portuguese rulers for slaves and servants
brought to Sri Lanka from African shores, came and how they identify.
Currently, Kaffirs are seen through the gaze of public writings and common biases. They are believed to have their
performance styles and their strong association with the drum, dance, and vocal genres integrated into the canon
of Sinhalese traditions.
One specific vocal expression is the singing of manja songs, which are introduced and roughly analysed in this
short paper. Manja songs are not so widely known to all people living in Sri Lanka. A specific study of these songs
has not yet taken place.
The main methods used are micro-analysis, literature studies, and open interviews with those who are connected
to Kaffirs, either as members of the group or as people related to their studies and performing arts. Beyond pre senting the exciting text repertoire, it is to connect the musical skills that come with this way of singing with related
arts such as dancing and drumming.
The Kaffirs’ performance potentials are widely underestimated. Many Kaffirs were integrated, through marriage
and social subordination, into the current society. Yet, it is important to focus on the snippets in the history of
specific performance skills and their relatedness to another continent in order to help understand global issues and
their future.
