Memons in South Africa
Encyclopedia
Memons in South Africa form a prosperous Muslim
subgroup (pop approx 16000 http://wmoafrica.co.za/download/location_information.doc) in that country's Indian community, and are largely descended from Memons from Kathiawar who immigrated as traders, early in the 20th century from India. Villages and towns that South African Memons originated from include Porbander, Bhanvad
, Ranavav
and Jodiya.
Mahatma Gandhi
(who came from Porbander) was hired as a lawyer by a South African Memon businessman. It was in South Africa that Gandhi launched his political activities.
Memons played a major role in the promotion of Islam in South Africa
, and there have been rivalries for the management of local mosques http://www.docstoc.com/docs/18748171/we-are-arabs-from-gujarat between Memons and Surtis
, who are Gujarati-speaking Sunni Muslims. This is primarily due to the different 'Maslak' (path) Deobandi
and Barelvi
, although these are far less prominent than they were in the past.
Although the Memon language language is not widely spoken by younger Memons in South Africa, South African Memons continue to maintain a strong (although slowly eroding) Memon identity. Already, few younger Memons are even aware of the different towns from which their ancestors came. Although the early Memons practiced endogamy
(marrying within their social group, including ancestral village), intermarriage between different Memon groups and other Sunni Muslims is now widely accepted, mirroring a similar integration among Gujarati Hindu groups from Surat and Shauarashtra http://pdfserve.informaworld.com/751428__928134720.pdf.
Memon organisations in South Africa include the Memon Association of South Africa
(formerly the Memon Association of the Transvaal), and the Natal Memon Jamaat http://www.memon.com/html/events/fimc/ARMoti.htm.
Chief Justice of South Africa
Ismail Mahomed
was a Memon.
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
subgroup (pop approx 16000 http://wmoafrica.co.za/download/location_information.doc) in that country's Indian community, and are largely descended from Memons from Kathiawar who immigrated as traders, early in the 20th century from India. Villages and towns that South African Memons originated from include Porbander, Bhanvad
Bhanvad
Bhanvad is a city and a municipality in Jamnagar district in the state of Gujarat, India.-Geography:Bhanvad is located at . It has an average elevation of .-Demographics:...
, Ranavav
Ranavav
Ranavav is a city and a municipality in Porbandar district in the Indian state of Gujarat.-Geography:Ranavav is located at . It has an average elevation of 40 metres .Ranavav is a Taluka of Porbandar district in Saurastra, Gujarat...
and Jodiya.
Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , pronounced . 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement...
(who came from Porbander) was hired as a lawyer by a South African Memon businessman. It was in South Africa that Gandhi launched his political activities.
Memons played a major role in the promotion of Islam in South Africa
Islam in South Africa
Islam in South Africa pre-dates the colonial period, and consisted of isolated contact with Arab and East Africa traders. Many South African Muslims are described as Coloureds, notably in the Western Cape, including those whose ancestors came as slaves from the Indonesian archipelago...
, and there have been rivalries for the management of local mosques http://www.docstoc.com/docs/18748171/we-are-arabs-from-gujarat between Memons and Surtis
Surti Muslims
Surti Muslims, who are commonly referred to as "Surtis", are Gujarati Muslims. Most of them adhere to Hanafi Sunni Islam. They are at least in part descended from Arabs from Southern Arabia who migrated and settled in the districts of Surat in the state of Gujarat, India, partial lineages to...
, who are Gujarati-speaking Sunni Muslims. This is primarily due to the different 'Maslak' (path) Deobandi
Deobandi
Deobandi is a movement of Sunni Islam. The movement began at Darul Uloom Deoband in Deoband, India, where its foundation was laid on 30 May 1866.-History:...
and Barelvi
Barelvi
Barelvi is a term used for the movement of Sufi , Sunni Islam originating in the Indian subcontinent.The Movement is known as Ahle Sunnat movement to its followers....
, although these are far less prominent than they were in the past.
Although the Memon language language is not widely spoken by younger Memons in South Africa, South African Memons continue to maintain a strong (although slowly eroding) Memon identity. Already, few younger Memons are even aware of the different towns from which their ancestors came. Although the early Memons practiced endogamy
Endogamy
Endogamy is the practice of marrying within a specific ethnic group, class, or social group, rejecting others on such basis as being unsuitable for marriage or other close personal relationships. A Greek Orthodox Christian endogamist, for example, would require that a marriage be only with another...
(marrying within their social group, including ancestral village), intermarriage between different Memon groups and other Sunni Muslims is now widely accepted, mirroring a similar integration among Gujarati Hindu groups from Surat and Shauarashtra http://pdfserve.informaworld.com/751428__928134720.pdf.
Memon organisations in South Africa include the Memon Association of South Africa
Memon Association of South Africa
The Memon Association of South Africa was founded in 1965, to provide financial assistance to needy Memon and Muslim students for further studies. The members and representatives come from 5 of the 9 Provinces of the New South Africa.-External links:*...
(formerly the Memon Association of the Transvaal), and the Natal Memon Jamaat http://www.memon.com/html/events/fimc/ARMoti.htm.
Chief Justice of South Africa
Chief Justice of South Africa
The Chief Justice of South Africa is the head of the judiciary of South Africa, who exercises final authority over the functioning and management of all the courts...
Ismail Mahomed
Ismail Mahomed
Justice Ismail Mahomed was a South African lawyer who served as the Chief Justice of South Africa and the Supreme Court of Namibia, and co-authored the constitution of Namibia.-Early life:...
was a Memon.