Sinhalese in United States


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Not all Sri Lankans are Sinhalese but about three-quarters are. In 1975, 432 Sri Lankans came to America to live. Many Sri Lankans came to America during the Sri Lankan civil war in the 1990s. They live in New York City which has the largest number of them, then central New Jersey, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami. Sri Lankan Buddhists tend to live near others of them who are Buddhists while their Hindus usually live near other Hindus.

The second generation of Sri Lankans are used to the American culture. Parents often send their children to religious courses in the U.S.A.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Sri Lankans eat curries, fish, rice, soup and vegetables for example. Coconut milk is a very important ingredient with regards their cooking of meals. They have holidays each month when there is a full moon. With Buddhists, May is the most important full moon holy day as Gautama Buddha was born and passed away then. Sinhala is the main language spoken amongst the Sinhalese.

The Goyigama Caste of the Sinhalese is the main one. Sri Lankan Americans do not use caste limitations when mixing with Americans. They live in single units but not with relatives. Relatives may come to live in the same community though.

Sri Lankan Americans are well educated and most have been to colleges. A lot of Sri Lankans who come to live in America do so because of better job opportunities. Many of them have their own businesses.

Cross cousin marriages are most favored. The preferred person for a man to marry is the daughter of the sister of his father and with the woman the favorite way to marry is with the son of the brother of her mother. Children can refuse the marriage partner chosen by their parents even though marriages are arranged. The Sri Lankans have nuclear families of husbands, wives and their children who are not married.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Buddhists and Hindus as well as Muslims and Christians are found amongst the Sri Lankans.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Sinhalese in United States.


References

www.everyculture.com/multi/Sr-Z/sri-lankan-americans.html


Profile Source:   Anonymous  

Additional Info
Global Prayer Digest: 2011-05-01
Global Prayer Digest: 2016-05-20
People Name General Sinhalese
People Name in Country Sinhalese
Pronunciation sin-uh-LEEZE
Alternate Names Cingalese; Singalese; Singhalese; Sinhala; सिनलीज़
Population this Country 11,000
Population all Countries 400,000
Total Countries 17
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 14196
ROP3 Code 109305
Country United States
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country New York (Tompkinsville)   Source:  Global Gates 2021
Country United States
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country New York (Tompkinsville).   Source:  Global Gates 2021

No people group map currently available. Use the above button to submit a map.



Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
78.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.20 %)
4.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
13.00 %
Islam
5.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Sinhala (11,000 speakers)
Language Code sin   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Sinhalese
Dialect Code 345   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Sinhala (11,000 speakers)
Language Code sin   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Sinhalese
Dialect Code 345   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Sinhala
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2023  The Road Provides - Shutterstock  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Profile Source Anonymous  
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.