Mahomed Sewjee Alarakia

 The following has been forwarded to me by eurasian_david on the Gwulo forum. 

Thanks again David, you are a great help.

Mahomed Sewjee Alarakia (1866-1920)

Your greatgrandfather's wedding Hong Kong evening 23rd May 1884 :

 

“YESTERDAY evening, a novelty in the way of processions delighted and amused a portion of the native population and foreigners resident in the Colony. About nine o’clock, a bridal party of Mohomedans formed up at the bridegroom’s house in Gage Street, and proceeded slowly along the Central streets to the residence of the bride’s parents. To Europeans, the procession presented a very strange appearance from the fact that in it were mixed up, in the strangest manner possible, oriental customs and western ideas. The relatives and friends of the bridegroom, - some in ordinary European carriages, others on foot and others again on horseback – occupied the interior of the procession, the outside of which was formed by a cordon of youthful Celestials, bearing each a gaily coloured lamp. The poles on which the lamps were hung were attached to each other, at an interval of a few yards, by a parti-coloured cord, so that the procession was compelled to move in unison. Those of the relatives and friends who occupied the carriages, were dressed in ordinary European custome, but those who came after on foot and horseback were clothed in the Mahomedan dress. The bridegroom, who brought up the rear, was preceded by a band composed of a violin, melodeon, banjo, and a big drum! The later instrument was drummed at incessantly to the same time, quite regardless of the air being played by the performers. The banjo player was a stalwart Ethiopian, the violinist a little man wearing spectacles, and the melodeon player a young man without any distinctive features. Each seemed to be playing in his own melodious way, and the only harmony that seemed to come from the combination was from the big drum, which made itself heard whether its rivals were audible or not. Whether the band was intended to have a soothing and calming effect on the young bridegroom or not, we cannot say. At any rate he had to endure this sort of thing until he arrived at the bride’s house, where, we have no doubt, he was recompensed for his heroic endurance. The bridegroom himself was the feature of the procession. This was as it ought to be. He was seated on one of the most fiery and tallest steeds the Colony possesses, and he was supported on either side by a relative, or friend (whether to keep him from falling off or not, we cannot say), while another countryman took care that his mount did not run away. His jacket was made of what seemed crimson coloured silk; and his face and head were almost completely hidden by what had the appearance in the dark of extenuated curled shavings. We were afterwards told they were flowers. The effect of the whole was more comical than beautiful. However, we suppose the bridegroom enjoyed himself.

The procession caused great excitement among the Chinese, who expressed their delight in the most approved native fashion.

The marriage took place last night, but we understand the bride, in accordance with ‘olo’ custom, does not leave the parental roof for a day or two.”    

Source: The China Mail, page 3, 24th May 1884

Matches with description in the Japan Daily Mail, Volume 1, page 556, 14th June 1884

 

And job success a month later:

“Mr Mahomed Alarakia has been appointed, provisionally, to be second assistant in the Observatory, vice Mr Solomon Reuben Solomon, resigned. The appointment was obtained by competition, the winner defeating nine other competitors and counting 1,285 marks out of a possible 1,500. The subjects in which the competitors were examined were reading, handwriting, dictation, copying, composition, and arithmetic.”

Source: The China Mail, page 3, 23rd June 1884 

Further info provided by eurasian_david today 2 Mar 22 for which I am eternally grateful. 

You’re welcome. Ken. It’s

Permalink Submitted by eurasian_david on Wed, 2022-03-02 09:06.

You’re welcome. Ken. It’s remarkable you have at least two descriptions of your greatgrandparents’ wedding recorded. Not many people can say that! The spectacle is like something out of Aladdin. I’m glad you have attempted to reignite your blog. Hopefully we can both learn from each other with more new finds.

I have transcribed the other version of the wedding ceremony here:

 

“THERE was a great turn-out last night, says the Hongkong Telegraph of the 24th ult., on the occasion of the marriage of Mr. Alarakia, assistant master in the Government Central School, to a young Indian lady, daughter of the late Mahomed Arab. An imposing procession, in which five carriages, and some half a dozen horses ridden by friends of the happy pair, figured, started from the residence of the bridegroom in Gage-street shortly before nine o’clock, traversing Wellington and D’Aguilar streets, then proceeding down Queen’s Road Central, and turning again into Wellington-street at the corner below No. 5 Police Station, thence wending its way up Graham-street and finally reaching the bride’s residence in Peel Street. Banjoes, violins, drums, concertinas, &c., played by a number of experts, served to enliven matters generally as the procession pursued its course, and some 250 Japanese colored lanterns, all alight, carried on two bamboo poles from which they depended, together with numerous blue-lights, lent additional splendour to the display. A conspicuous figure was the bridegroom himself as he appeared mounted on a lofty Pegasus, arrayed, in Arabian style, in a long crimson colored satin dress and turban. Talk about floral embellishments! The to-day happy man literally revelled in flowers, garlands hanging down in great profusion from the top of his head to the soles of his feet, both in front and rear. A Mahomedan priest made the couple fast at the bride’s house, where the processionists and other friends were regaled with refreshments and music until four or five o’clock this morning. The redoubtable MacBean of the Supreme Court, appeared in the procession driving one of the carriages, and wore an expression almost as solemn and impressive as that of Sir George Phillippo when sentencing a prisoner for libel. Mr. Kennedy of the Horse Repository must have made a good thing out of the affair, as we understand the horses and carriages were all obtained from his stables.

 

So much information can be gleaned from them:

 

1) Your 2ggrandfather Mahomed Arab was one of the original 4 representatives who applied for a piece of land from the HK Government, which was granted in 1850, to build a mosque and he then became one of its Trustees. He would be one of the elders of the local Muslim community – he wouldn’t let his daughter get married to someone far from his faith (or in this case, more accurately the mother or another senior male relative, as Mahomed Arab was alerady deceased by this time). So safe to say even though you suspect Mahomed Alarakia may be Parsi in origin ethnically, his religion is Islam and of the Sunni branch.

2) Yes, back then the girls got married real young. As in early teens. I have come across several examples.

3) We now know where each family lived in 1884 – Alarakia – Gage Street; Arab – Peel Street. Worth exploring the communities in these streets.

4) Mahomed Alarakia was clearly a well-educated, bright, ambitious, conscientious and analytical young man. His educational achievements indirectly reflect the high value of education placed by his father – Sewjee Alarakia (1843-1890).

5) The baraat firmly indicated the Alarakia’s customs lay firmly with the Indian sub-continent.

6) The wedding took place at night – traditionally highly recommended according to hadith. My grandparents’ nikkah in Hong Kong 1930s also took place at night.

7) MacBean of the Supreme Court and Kennedy of the Horse Repository’s involvement were mentioned – clues that maybe Mr Sewjee Alarakia knew them well enough for such strings to be pulled. Worth exploring.  

 

Also for the Central Government School prize giving ceremony on 10th February 1882:

"Anglo-Chinese Class.

First Division, - 1, U. Ramjahn, watch, presented by Acting Chief Justice F. Snowden; 2, M. Alarakia, Cyclopedia, presented by Mr. A.G. Romano.

Second Division, - 1, S.A.J. Mahomet, Natural History, presented by Mr. A.G. Romano; 2, Om. Madar, Little Folks, presented by Mr. A.G. Romano.

Third Division, - 1, A. Alarakia, pocket lens, presented by Dr. Stewart; 2, F. Aguiar, studs."

 

Source: The China Mail, page 3, 10th February 1882

NB. U. Ramjahn = my greatgranduncle. So again my family knew yours.

 

Also, at the funeral of your grandfather:

 

“OBITUARY

 

                              Mr. E.M. Alarakia Laid To Rest

 

                        Many friends and relatives attended the funeral at the Mohammedan Cemetery yesterday of Mr. E.M. Alarakia, a member of a well-known Indian family and who passed away on Sunday.

 

                        Mulvi Noor Shah officiated and besides family mourners those present included Mulvi Ma Tai-ng, Haji A.R. Abbas, Haji M. Azim, Dr. H. el Arculli, Mr. V.C. Labrum, Mr. C.L. Clarke, Mr. A. Remedios, Mr. S.A. Sepher, Dr. S.R.R. Sepher, Mr. H.T. Barma, Mr. Kayamally, Mr. Tyeb, Mr. E.A. Hussain, Mr. Mehdi Nemazee, Mr. C. Rahim, Mr. K.H. Kikabhoy, Mr. R.G. Markar, Mr. A.G. Markar, Mr. E.R. Markar, Mr. J. Anderson, Mr. C.O. Baptista, Mr. M. Sabhan, Mr. R.M. Omar, Mr. K.M. Omar, Mr. O.M. Omar, Mr. A.M. Omar, Mr. M.P. Madar, Mr. S.A. Ismail, Mr. S.F. Ismail, Mr. M.H. Hussain, Mr. A.K. Minu, Mr. A.R. Minu, Mr. S.D. Mehal, Mr. I. Haroon, Mr. N. Nazarin, Mr. K. Nazarin, Mr. J.M.A. Ramjahn, Mr. S.A. Rumjahn, Mr. A. Mannan Rumjahn, Mr. A.M. Rumjahn, Mr. A.R. Dallah, Mr. M.Y. Adal, Mr. A.R.M. Arab, Mr. A.R. Samy, Mr. B.A. Hyder, Mr. A.M. Wahab, Mr. M.A. Wahab, Mr. L.A. Gutierrez, Mr. M.I. Razack, Mr. I.M.A. Razack, Mr. U.A. Esmail, Mr. A. Bux, Mr. S.A.R. Bux, Mr. S.A.D. Rahman, Mr. S.A. Hamid, Mr. T. Ali, Staff of the Ye Olde Printerie and others.

 

                        Floral tributes were from Mother; Jaf and wife; Cassim, wife and family; Sophie, Tong and family, Fatima, Mary, Helen, Ray, Ikey, Cherry and family.

 

                        Mr. and Mrs. C.F.Z. da Roza, Mr. and Mrs. Ng Luen-kwong and family, Mr. and Mrs. M. Sabhan, Kwong Yee and family, Mrs. A.H. Abbas and family, Messrs. D. Nickson, Chan Lai-chuen, Chan Man-so, Ho Pah-chi, Kwok Shing, Dr. Wong Chi-po, Hak Kuen-wing, Tsoi To-lung, Yeung Ling-man, Yeung Chi-tong.

 

                        Ye Olde Printerie, Ltd., the Press Department, the Office Staff, Linotype and Composing Department and Binding Department, of the Ye Olde Printerie Ltd., Man Sun Printing Co., staff of the Ling-nam School, and others.”

 

Source: The Hong Kong Telegraph (Second Edition), page 12, 13th June 1939 (note page 24 in the digitized archive)