Christmas cake: the traditional Sri Lankan treat uniting an island and its diaspora – by Joe Paiva
This resonates very poignantly with me and I am sure all my cousin brothers of the same vintage.
I am a very proud PAIVA.
My grandfather, Jerominus Nazeraine Paiva of the famous XP Paiva and Sons of 77 Main Street, Pettah, Colombo.
During the Xmas festive season, did a booming business. This in the mid 1950s.
Xmas Cake recepie
Cake ingredients ( imported from Spain, Portugal, Italy, France)
Xmas Cakes for sale ( Homemade)
The Bambalapitiya, Colpity, Wellewatte, Dehiwella, Thimbirikasaya, Kirillapone, Nugegoda folks ( mainly Burghurs ) flocked to Main St.
In Bambalapitiya, Renown Bakery ( within close proximity to the junction/ Police Station baked the many trays of raw cake mixture.
CTB public transport to Pettah, Main St, premier festive shopping precinct during December.
Toys, Xmas cards, decorations, music etc.
I can relate to
Oryan Cumaraiah-Misso’s memory recall vividly.
Our parents were non the wiser, as to how much glazed cherries, dried fruits, pumpkin preserve etc disappeared while we given the task of grinding/ chopping them up.
Yes! That traditional ritual pre Christmas day, did
“Christmas cake: the traditional Sri Lankan treat uniting an island and its diaspora”
What the situation is now.
I wonder.
Joe
