An old Turkish connection restored
View(s):Over a hundred years old, it had been carefully stored away until a meeting Turkish ambassador to Sri Lanka Tunca Özçuhadar had with Hamza Macan Markar a few months ago. Mr. Macan Markar decided then to make a gift to the Turkish Embassy of this ceremonial uniform worn by his grandfather, the illustrious Sir Mohamed Macan Markar when he was Hony. Consul for Turkey from 1903 to 1915.
Visiting Istanbul: Mr. Macan Markar in the Consul’s uniform and fez cap (standing at right) with officials from the Turkish Foreign Ministry
The uniform in question, which had been in a somewhat fragile condition is today, beautifully restored and was proudly displayed at the 93rd National Day celebrations of the Republic of Turkey held at the Galle Face Hotel on Friday, October 28. This week until November 4, it can be seen at the Galle Face Hotel as it hosts the Turkish Food Festival.
The rectangular rusted old trunk in which it was sent to Ceylon by the Ottoman Empire is also on display but the uniform in its full splendour reposes now in a glass case – the black jacket with brass buttons (with crescent and star) and traditional Turkish embroidery on both sleeves, collar and centre-back and trousers with silk piping. The other components of the consul’s full regalia are placed alongside: a brocade balteus which helps the wearer to carry a sword and two pairs of white leather gloves, one long, one short, the ceremonial sword and the scabbard.
Ambassador Tunca Özçuhadar is gratified to have it at the Embassy, a symbol of the enduring and mutually respectful ties between the two countries. “Earlier this year, I met with Sir Macan Markar’s grandson, Mr. Hamza Macan Markar. During our meeting he generously gifted the Embassy his grandfather’s ceremonial uniform. More than 100 years ago, Sir Macan Markar had worn this uniform during ceremonies in his official capacity. I am thankful to the Macan Markar family for this marvellous piece of history that represents the long historical ties between our people for generations,” the ambassador said in a statement released to the Sunday Times.
The restoration of the uniform was handled by a team from the Department of Archaeology: under the guidance of Director General Dr. Senarath Dissanayake, Anusha Kasthuri, Diveesha Athukorale, Anuradha Fernando and Sanduni Koshila worked to carefully remove the decayed lining, replacing it with poplin, removing too engrained dust with painstaking care.
Restored to its full glory: Mohamed Macan Markar’s ceremonial uniform
The Ottoman Empire’s links with this island go way back. According to the book ‘Ottomans and Sri Lanka Moors’ the first Lankan Consul to Turkey was Hussain Lebbe Maricar prior to 1890 who was followed by his son Maricar Abdul Majid after whom came Mohamed Macan Marker who held the post from 1903 -1915, being Vice Consul for Turkey in Galle prior to that.
The Twentieth Century Impressions of Ceylon records it thus:
“The Turkish Vice-Consul at Colombo is Mohamed Macan Markar, Effendi, head of the firm, O.L.M. Macan Markar, jewellers and gem merchants. He is only twenty-eight years of age and is said to be the youngest consul of the East. A native of Galle, he was educated at Wesley College, Colombo and at the completion of his course there he joined the business established by his late father, of which he is now the principal. He is a member of the Galle Municipal Council and a Mohemedan. At the time of the writing of this book, he was on pilgrimage to Mecca, his consular duties being in his absence performed by his younger brother Macan Markar Samsideen, another member of the firm. Mr. H.A Ebrahim Didi is Turkish Consul in Galle.”
Among the records displayed by the Turkish Embassy is also a photograph of Mr. Macan Markar on a visit to Istanbul in 1909 taken with officials of the Turkish Foreign Ministry showing him in this ceremonial uniform wearing too a fez cap, which is typically Turkish.
The Sri Lanka Moor Geneaology which has an extensive chapter on him states that in 1907 when the Hijaz Railway was launched connecting Mecca and Medina, Ceylon Muslims presented at the Grand Mosque at New Moor Street “an address of thanks to the Turkish Consul Muhammad Macan Markar for submission to the Sultan of Turkey. A photograph of those who attended this function is still available.”
A portrait of Mohamed Macan Markar in the uniform as Hony. Consul for Turkey
After his years as Consul for Turkey, Mohamed Macan Markar continued to play a prominent role in society. Elected the first Muslim member of the Legislative Council in 1924, he was member for the Batticaloa South electorate in the State Council from 1931-1936 and Minister of Communication and Works. He was knighted in 1938. A member of the Colombo Municipal Council from 1940-43 and a founder member of the All Ceylon Moors Association, he was appointed a Senator in the first Parliament of Ceylon and remained so until his death in 1952. His fame as a jeweller travelled far beyond the island’s shores, even gaining the approbation of Royalty.
Though it is his role in public life and sterling contributions to education for which he is still gratefully remembered by the nation with even a road in the capital named after him ( Sir Mohamed Macan Markar Mawatha), his ties to Turkey no doubt remained close to his heart for he named the gracious mansion in Kollupitiya he built as his family home ‘Villa Stamboul’, after Istanbul, then capital of the Ottoman Empire.