
TheKlingalese[1] (Malay:Orang Keling;Dutch:Klingalezen orKodja) referred to an ethnic group in at leastDutch East Indies (Indonesia),Straits Settlements andBritish India, originating from theCoromandel Coast,Kalinga and theMalabar region. They were predominantlyShiiteMuslims and traders.[2] At least at the beginning of the 20th century there was a Klingalese quarter inPadang.[3] In British India, theKlingalese was also used to designate a specific ethnic group, witness antiquarian photography captions, shown here. TheKlingalezen was also used in the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) in a broader sense including other Asian minorities as well.