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Eleven Things We Have The Burghers To Thank For-by Shannine Daniel Source:Roar.media Sri Lanka’s Burgher community, as we know, is an ethnic group of people with mixed European and Lankan heritage, and they have been present on the island for centuries. Over the decades they have contributed immensely to Sri Lankan culture, and some of their customs have been integrated into modern Sri Lankan society. Here’s a look at some of their more popular contributions, to music, food and clothing, and more: 1. Baila The word Baila is derived from the Portuguese verb bailar, which means to dance. An integral part of the Sri Lankan music scene, baila became popular in the early 1960’s, thanks to the infamous Wally Bastiansz. Bastiansz, who was of mixed Sinhala and Dutch Burgher descent, was a skilled guitarist, banjo player, and violinist. Wally Bastiansz, the ‘Father of Baila’ in Sri Lanka. Image courtesy wallybastiansz.com Historically, baila originated from the Kaffirs, the African slaves ...