SINGAPORE 2

HERITAGE SINGAPORE

Cosmopolitan Singapore is not at completely modern – there is still a touch of heritage tucked away in areas of the island. Many said that Singapore is more western in nature than Asian.

My interest of getting to know whether there is much heritage site still existing in Singapore – made me participated in a one day tour – with a map on hand to the places which may have 'some' heritage value left, in this island.

ALL THINGS HERITAGE SOLD IN SINGAPORE

To start off the heritage trail – I visited the Chinatown, Little India, Peranakan Areas and Kampung Glam.

CHINATOWN

CHINATOWN - started when Sir Stamford Raffles who allocated the south of Singapore River to the Chinese community in 1928, and this attracted southern China immigrants to reside here. During its early days, Chinatown relied on bullock carts' water (Niu Che Shui) – shop houses were small and cramped, and streets became common area for families to use. Today, Chinatown is lighted up accompanied with the Chinese oriented architecture buildings – selling souvenir and food stuff. Old practices like fortune tellers, feng shui masters, peddlers, herbalists, buskers and opera singers contributed to the lively Chinatown.

LITTLE INDIA

LITTLE INDIA - was actually a plantation of betel leaves, rice and sugar cane cultivated by the Chinese immigrants in the early 19^th century. The 1840s saw a thriving cattle trade and businesses like sesame oil production and pineapple preservation powered by cattle-driven transport. The Indians handled most of the activities and their community expanded – today, Little India is a heritage place for the Indians to shop, worship, display of cultural dances and ritual practices in the temple.

SRI MARIAMMAN TEMPLE

Here, stands the oldest Hindu temple called Sri Mariamman Temple (1930) constructed in 1827 – provides shelter for Indians immigrants. This is the only Hindu temple where the priests were vested with authority to solemnise marriages. The temple attracted devotees who turned to the God for healing. 

MASJID JAMAE

MASJID JAMAE

Masjid Jamae or Masjid Chulia is Singapore's oldest mosque and a prominent landmark in Chinatown since the 1820s. Built in 1826, the mosque was the first of three mosques in Chinatown erected by the Chulias, who were Tamil Muslims from the Coromandel coast of Southern India. It has an eclectic architectural style, borrowing elements from East and West. Masjid Jamae was gazetted as a national monument in 1974.

BUSSORAH MALL

KAMPUNG GLAM - is a Malay Village whereby its name derive from a Gelam Tree which one grew in this area. At that time, Sir Raffles' arrived in 1819, the village had already existed at the mouth of Rochor River. In 1822, Raffles drew up the first city plan to contain the growing immigrants and the area was allocated to the Bugis, Arabs, Javanese, Boyanese and Muslim merchants. It then became the seat of the Malay Royalty in Singapore. The beauty of Kampung Glam – is the rows of shop houses showing ornate style with green color windows and doors, held at Kandahar Street, compared to normal shop houses and low squat proportions, at Pahang Street. Other historical places are – Sultan Palace, Arabic School, Pondok Java and the streets of Arab, Baghdad and Haji Lane.

SULTAN MOSQUE

The majestic Sultan Mosque is located near the friendly Bussorah Mall, located at Muscat Street. It was named after Sultan Hussain Shah in 1975 – designated a national monument.  

KAMPONG GLAM PALACE

Kampong Glam Palace is a former Malay palace in Singapore - located near Sultan Mosque - the palace and compounds were refurbished into the Malay Heritage Centre in 2004. The palace is gazetted as national monument on August 6, 2015

KAMPONG GLAM HERITAGE SHOP HOUSE

THE PERANAKAN – are descendants of the early Chinese community who settled in the Malay Archipelago from the 17^th century – rich blend of the Chinese and Malay cultures with some influence of the Portugal, Dutch, British, Thai and Indonesia.

 

THE PERANAKAN HOUSES AT JOO CHIAT

If one is fascinated with buildings, do take a stroll at Emerald Hill, Tanjong Pagar and Joo Chiat – showcases an eclectic mix of architectural details and ornaments influence from East and West, the corinthian columns and Mediterranean looking windows and shutters justaposed with Chinese tiles, and plaster work with Chinese symbols.

I chose to walk along Joo Chiat (Koon Seng Road) – for my Peranakan Experience trail – drop by – Katong Antique House, Peranakan Museum, Rumah Bebe and Kim Choo Kueh Chang.

PERANAKAN MUSEUM

 A detour of the miniature Peranakan Museum is an eye opener to learn more about the Peranakan dressings, lifestyle via a collection of costume, embroidery, porcelain, furniture and silverware. The uniqueness here, is the Straits Chinese Baba beadwork of embroidery slippers and frames, found here.

KATONG ANTIQUE HOUSE

Meanwhile, the 25-year-old Katong Antique House is filled with every type of traditional Peranakan costumes, crockery and furniture which was guided by a 4^th generation of Baba Peranakan descendant, to detour the gallery.

Rumah Bebe is another place runs by the Singapore's renowned Peranakan bead work specialist Bebe Seet. Here, there is a large display of Peranakan dresses – baju panjang (long tunic), sarong, jewellery, accessories (hairpins, bracelets, brooches, belts and anklets and kasut manek.

WRITER SHOWING OFF THE BAK CHANG AT KIN CHOO KUEH CHANG

Another worth visiting is the Kin Choo Kueh Chang – see the makings of the nonya dumplings for sale, here.

Finally, stop by the Merlion Statue – at the waterfront park - the Merlion is the official mascot of Singapore, depicted as a mythical ceature with a lion's head and the body of a fish. The stature used to represent both the city state and its people in sports teams, advertising, branding, tourism and a national personification.

THE MERLION

 In conclusion, to say Singapore is all cosmopolitan – in certain degree is not right – if one will to further explore some of the heritage places – it's values do exists – but one must preserve its roots – for the younger generation.

02-08, NOV 2006/OCT 19-23, 2007/DEC 2008/JULY 2018