Think of major trading ports in the 16th and 17th centuries, and you can be sure Armenian merchants visited them. One such port was Malacca (Melaka) in Malaysia. With its historic city center, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Malacca is today a popular tourist destination and to the surprise of many, Armenians once lived there.
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Thank you Ms. Wright for everything you do in this regard. Very interesting.
Thank you Nadia for your interesting research . My wife is from kedah , MAlaysia had a DNA test by livingdna , and identified 6.2 percent armenian/ Cyprus heritage , which roughly translates possibly to 4 generations ago ( 2-300 years ago)some Armenian ancestor . From your research do you know what likely places the Armenians would have migrated from to Malaya in the 1700-1800s.?
Dear Nadia Wright. What an amazing story. Thanks for sharing this. Thanks for your extensive research of Armenians in South East Asia. By any chance would you be willing to travel to Southern California to give a comprehensive talk? Your knowledge is invaluable. I may be able to arrange such a trip.
Three years ago, I was in Singapore and by chance I met a direct descendent of Sarkies brothers. I wanted to conduct an interview with her. But it has not happened yet. If you receive this message please let me know. My email is: cyesayan@gmail.com
Dear Catherine: Thank you for your kind reply and I will email you. However I must point out a misconception. There are no direct descendants of the Sarkies brothers in Singapore. The last ones – the children of Aviet Sarkies- left in 1910.
Few years back we visited Singapore’s Armenian Street, The Church and read the inscriptions of The tombstones of those
famous merchants and personalities, who played a big roll in stablishing Singapore. Visited the famous “Raffle Hotel”
tasted their expensive “Singapore Sling” Drink created by the Armenian owner. We also visited The Singapore National
Garden, witnessed the famous Tulip named to Joaquim Agnes (The Armenian Lady)
I believe the Armenian priest who went to pray over Jacob Shamier’s tombstone to respect his wish to be informed of Armenia’s independence was Srpazan Mesrob Ashjian, Archbishop and prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the US.
The overly expensive Singapore Sling was created by Ngiam Tong Boon the bar tender at the famed Long Bar.
Agnes Joaquim (Ashkhen Hovakimian) hybridised the orchid named after her -the Vanda Miss Joaquim – which was selected as Singapore’s national flower in 1981.
Thank you for adding that information Mike.
Thank you for the information Mike.
Another useful article on the under-researched 18th-20th century history of Armenian traders, business pioneers and settlers in Southeast Asia. Here on Malacca, Malaysia. Thank you Nadia.
Thank you Noric.
Thank you Haro.
Dear Nadia,
Few months ago I purchased your book in Sydney, entitled ‘Respected Citizens, The history of Armenians in Singapore and Malaysia’.
A great review of the history of Armenians in that part of the world.
Much appreciation for your diligent historical review.
Regards,
Artin Jebejian
Dear Artin:
Thanks for your positive comments.
krs
Nadia Wright.
I have a copy of the Asia Magazine of 1968 featuring the Armenian community of Singapore. An elderly gentleman by name of Carapiet was in the article. That following year, I was in Mymensingh attending a local university and got to know a Christian family living next to the church. I was curious about their surname which was Carapiet. They spoke very little English, very poor and told me they had a ‘European’ ancestor who I suspect was Armenian. The Armenians of Calcutta were often referred to as Turks by others as they had hailed from the Turkish empire where millions had once lived in eastern Turkey.
By the way, I was formerly from Malacca and have often visited the Christchurch when the old gravestone of Jacob Shamier is at the entrance. Once in 1968, I saw two gentleman tracing the gravestone’s script and emblems on a large white paper. They told us they were Armenians from New York and asked us if we knew where Armenia was. I told him it could somewhere near Russia.
There are still several Armenian gravestones, several centuries old in the ruined church on St. Paul’s Hill next to the Christchurch.
There are no Armenian gravestones in the old Church ruins on St Paul’s Hill. I had heard this rumour and checked it out.
Mymensingh is in the present Bangladesh and formerly East Pakistan.
Hi Nadia,
My late Grandmother’s family was from Armenia, but as she was orphaned at age 2, we’re totally in the dark in regards other family. While doing some research, I came across this article. The gentleman you mention here, Jacob Shamier, is my Grandmother’s great great Grandfather.
The family originally came from Julfa, in Armenia. They then settled in Persia, then India, next Malacca and finally Indonesia. Over several centuries though.
So thank you for your informative article and adding another piece to the puzzle.
I see we are family!
Jacob Shamier is my great x5 grandfather. His son Joseph Nazar settled in Indonesia where several generations lived before moving to the Netherlands in the 1950s.
Thank you for adding that information Jobu.
Warm greetings. My great grandfather was Philip Aviet. Does anyone know if there is any relationship between the Aviet and the Sarkies Armenian families who were in Singapore together?? Thank you to Nadia Wright for your extraordinary research on my ancestors about whom, as yet, I know so little! Jenny