Sinhalese Collection

Playing the Rabana drum - Sinhalese - Colombo, Sri Lanka
Playing the Rabana drum - Sinhalese people - Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Maha (big) Rabana or Banku (bench) Rabana, played by two or more people at a time is used at wedding festivals

Sri Lanka - Hindu Ascetic - Incredibly long hair
Sri Lanka - Hindu Ascetic Sadhu with incredibly long hair, worn in thick dreadlocks called jata. Date: circa 1910s

Sinhalese washerman, Kandy, Ceylon, 1898. Creator: Christian Wilhelm Allers
Sinhalese washerman, Kandy, Ceylon, 1898. Portrait of an elderly man with hair ornament. Singhelese in Kandy. From " Rund um die Erde", by C. W. Allers

Landing of the Prince of Wales at Colombo: the Governor introducing Cinghalese... 1876. Creator: Unknown
Landing of the Prince of Wales at Colombo: the Governor introducing Cinghalese chiefs to the Prince [of Wales], from a sketch by one of our special artists, 1876. The Governor (the Right Hon. W. H)

Reception of the Prince at Kandy, Ceylon, 1876. Creator: Unknown
Reception of the Prince at Kandy, Ceylon, 1876. The future King Edward VII meets locals....the great Kandyan chiefs...were marvels to behold

Cinghalese Chiefs waiting for the Prince of Wales at Kandy, Ceylon, from a sketch by... 1876. Creator: Unknown
Cinghalese Chiefs waiting for the Prince of Wales at Kandy, Ceylon, from a sketch by one of our special artists, 1876. Royal visit of the future King Edward VII

Butter trade in Ceylon, 1785-1786. Creator: Jan Brandes
Butter trade in Ceylon, 1785-1786. Woman and butter seller. With explanatory inscription. Part of Jan Brandes sketchbook, dl. 1 (1808), p. 9

Taming an elephant, 1785. Creator: Jan Brandes
Taming an elephant, 1785. Pen or stable built of bamboo framework in which three elephants are tied up. Singalese men pull on ropes. The middle elephant is doused with water. With inscription. No

VOC Delegation at An Audience With The King of Kandy, Sri Rajadi Raja Sinha, 1785-1786. Creator: Jan Brandes
VOC Delegation at An Audience With The King of Kandy, Sri Rajadi Raja Sinha, 1785-1786. The reception room in the palace of the king of Kandy with VOC officials kneeling in the foreground

Sinhalese soldiers in the service of the VOC and envoys of the King of Kandy, 1785. Creator: Jan Brandes
Sinhalese soldiers in the service of the VOC and envoys of the King of Kandy, 1785. VOC emblem on top of a pillar. On the left are the Singalese or Ceylonese VOC soldiers and orderlies

Wild elephant bound between trees, 1785. Creator: Jan Brandes
Wild elephant bound between trees, 1785. Indian elephant tied with ropes to two trees and a Singalese with spear. With inscription. Part of Jan Brandes sketchbook, dl. 2 (1808), p. 141

Adam's Berg (Mulkirigala), Entrance to the Image Rooms Hewn into the Rocks, 1785. Creator: Jan Brandes
Adam's Berg (Mulkirigala), Entrance to the Image Rooms Hewn into the Rocks, 1785. Buddhist shrine in Ceylon, (now Sri Lanka), near Mulgirigala

View of the north side of the fort in Kalutara, c.1750. Creator: Anon
View of the north side of the fort in Kalutara, c.1750. Island and four Sinhalese boats in front

Sinhalese girls, Kandy, Ceylon, 1898. Creator: Christian Wilhelm Allers
Sinhalese girls, Kandy, Ceylon, 1898. Portrait of children in what is now Sri Lanka. Singhalesische madchen, Kandy. From " Rund um die Erde" [Round the Earth], written and illustrated by C

Girl of the Rodiya Caste in Sri Lanka (b / w photo)
5999719 Girl of the Rodiya Caste in Sri Lanka (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Girl of the Rodiya Caste in Sri Lanka)

Studies of people, Colombo, Ceylon, 1898. Creator: Christian Wilhelm Allers
Studies of people, Colombo, Ceylon, 1898. Roman Catholic Tamil man, Sinhalese man, Muslim man. Tscheddy Mam (Tamile) (Romische Katholik), Singhalese, Mohamedaner

Rodiya-Madchen, 1926. Rodiya woman. From Der Indische Kulturkreis in Einzeldarstellungen. [Georg Muller, Munich, 1926]

Wat Chana Songkhram, Old Sukhothai, Thailand
The Wat Chana Songkhram Buddhist temple in Old Sukhothai, Thailand. The bell-shaped chedi (tomb) is in Singhalese style. Viewed across a lily pond with bright pink flowers in bloom. Date: 2005

Cingalese of the Coast; Four Months in Ceylon, 1875. Creator: Unknown
Cingalese of the Coast; Four Months in Ceylon, 1875. [Sinhalese men in tradtional costume]. From, Illustrated Travels by H.W. Bates

Children picking tea at Talawakele, near Nuwara Eliya, c. 1903 (b / w photo)
5944837 Children picking tea at Talawakele, near Nuwara Eliya, c.1903 (b/w photo) by Underwood & Underwood (c.1881-1940); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sri Lanka)

Sinhalese Woman, 1875 / 78. Creator: Julia Margaret Cameron
Sinhalese Woman, 1875/78. A work made of albumen print

Indian Natives: Sinhalese (coloured photo)
5221868 Indian Natives: Sinhalese (coloured photo) by Indian photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sinhalese)

Portrait of three young Sinhalese girls, c. 1905 (b / w photo)
5944836 Portrait of three young Sinhalese girls, c.1905 (b/w photo) by Keystone View Company; Private Collection; (add.info)

Ceylonese costumes, 1880 (coloured engraving)
968810 Ceylonese costumes, 1880 (coloured engraving) by German School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Ceylonese costumes, 1880)

Holiday Sports in Ceylon, riding in a circular wheel, c. 1893 (illustration)
5944842 Holiday Sports in Ceylon, riding in a circular wheel, c.1893 (illustration) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sri Lanka)

Sinhalese Devil-Dancers (colour litho)
2799236 Sinhalese Devil-Dancers (colour litho) by Hardy, Norman (1864-1914); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sinhalese Devil-Dancers)

Man, Sri Lanka (gelatin silver print)
622779 Man, Sri Lanka (gelatin silver print) by Plate & Co. (fl.1890); 26.9x21.1 cm; Private Collection; eMichael Graham-Stewart; out of copyright

Types of Ceylon women, 1891 (b / w photo)
5944841 Types of Ceylon women, 1891 (b/w photo); Private Collection; (add.info.: Cingalese and Tamil woman from photos supplied by the Ceylon Planters Tea Company Sri Lanka)

Mr D. Joseph, an East Indian in traditional Ceylonese costume, c
5944838 Mr D. Joseph, an East Indian in traditional Ceylonese costume, c.1893 (b/w photo) by American Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Customary Greeting in Ceylon, 1907 (colour litho)
472995 Customary Greeting in Ceylon, 1907 (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Ceylonese costumes, 1880 (engraving)
968798 Ceylonese costumes, 1880 (engraving) by German School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Ceylonese costumes, 1880)

Sinhalese man, Colombo, Ceylon, 1898. Creator: Christian Wilhelm Allers
Sinhalese man, Colombo, Ceylon, 1898. Portrait of a young man in what is now Sri Lanka. Ein Singhalese. From " Rund um die Erde" [Round the Earth], written and illustrated by C. W. Allers

Sinhalese devil dancers from Ceylon, c1928. Creator: Unknown
Sinhalese devil dancers from Ceylon, c1928. Men in traditional dress from Ceylon (Sri Lanka). From " Die Welt in Bildern", (The World in Pictures), cigarette card album, c1928

Cingalese Tea Plantation, 1924. From The British Empire in Pictures, by H. Clive Barnard, M.A. B.Litt. [A. & C. Black, Limited, London, 1924]

Singhalesin des Niederlands ohne das ubliche Obergewand, 1926. A Sinhalese woman from Dutch Ceylon. From Der Indische Kulturkreis in Einzeldarstellungen. [Georg Muller, Munich, 1926]

Singhalesische Zimmtarbeiter bei der Arbeit, 1926. Sinhalese workers. From Der Indische Kulturkreis in Einzeldarstellungen. [Georg Muller, Munich, 1926]

Singhalesischer Arbeiter aus dem Niederland, 1926. Sinhalese worker from from Dutch Ceylon. From Der Indische Kulturkreis in Einzeldarstellungen. [Georg Muller, Munich, 1926]

Singhalesischer Diener mit Schildpattkamm, 1926. Sinhalese servant with a tortoiseshell comb in his hair. From Der Indische Kulturkreis in Einzeldarstellungen. [Georg Muller, Munich, 1926]

Alter singhalesiscer Arbeiter aus Kandy, 1926. Older sinhalese worker at Kandy. From Der Indische Kulturkreis in Einzeldarstellungen. [Georg Muller, Munich, 1926]

Singhalese aus dem Niederland, 1926. Sinhalese from from Dutch Ceylon. From Der Indische Kulturkreis in Einzeldarstellungen. [Georg Muller, Munich, 1926]

Ortsvorstand in Kandy in der altsinghalesischen Tracht, 1926. Man in traditional Sinhalese costume. From Der Indische Kulturkreis in Einzeldarstellungen. [Georg Muller, Munich, 1926]

Vornehme Singhalesin aus Kandy, 1926. Sinhalese woman from Kandy. From Der Indische Kulturkreis in Einzeldarstellungen. [Georg Muller, Munich, 1926]

Singhalesisches Zebufuhrwerk, 1926. Sinhalese Zebu wagon. From Der Indische Kulturkreis in Einzeldarstellungen. [Georg Muller, Munich, 1926]

Singhalese weaving mats, 1902. Artist: Skeen & Co
Singhalese weaving mats, 1902. From The Living Races of Mankind, Vol. I. [Hutchinson & Co, London, 1902]

Singhalese men of high rank, 1902. From The Living Races of Mankind, Vol. I. [Hutchinson & Co, London, 1902]

Sinhalese Village Beauty, c1890, (1910). Artist: Alfred William Amandus Plate
Sinhalese Village Beauty, c1890, (1910). From The Hundred Best Views of Ceylon. [Plate Ltd, Colombo, Kandy & Nuwara Eliya, 1910]

An Image worshipped by the Chingulais... late 18th century
An Image worshipped by the Chingulais as the Deity who presides over Health, Wisdom, plenty etc, late 18th century. European depiction of Ceylonese people worshipping the Hindu god Ganesh

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The Sinhalese, a vibrant and culturally rich community, have left an indelible mark on the beautiful island nation of Sri Lanka. From their traditional customs to their artistic expressions, they embody the essence of this enchanting land. In Colombo, Sri Lanka's bustling capital city, the rhythmic beats of the Rabana drum echo through the streets as Sinhalese musicians showcase their musical prowess. This ancient instrument holds deep cultural significance for the Sinhalese people and is often played during festive occasions. Travel back in time to Kandy, Ceylon in 1898 and witness a Sinhalese washerman diligently carrying out his daily tasks. The image captured by Christian Wilhelm Allers depicts not only the hard work but also showcases the traditional attire worn by these industrious individuals. Venturing further into history takes us to Old Sukhothai in Thailand where Wat Chana Songkhram stands as a testament to historical connections between different cultures. Here we find evidence influence on Thai architecture, highlighting their impact beyond Sri Lankan shores. Christian Wilhelm Allers' lens transports us back to Kandy once again in 1898 when young Sinhalese girls adorned with colorful garments captivate our attention. Their radiant smiles reflect both innocence and pride in their heritage - a reminder that traditions are passed down from one generation to another. Allers' studies of people in Colombo provide glimpses into everyday life during colonial Ceylon. These portraits capture moments frozen in time - showcasing diverse faces that make up this multicultural society while shedding light on individual stories within it. Moving forward several years brings us face-to-face with Rodiya-Madchen from 1926 - an intriguing glimpse into another facet culture. The photograph invites curiosity about this lesser-known group within Sri Lanka's ethnic mosaic.