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Culture |
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 May 5, 2003
Singapore has always been a place where cultures meet – a tradition started by the early traders and carried on until today.
Ever since the beginnings of Singapore, different cultures have lived and worked alongside each other, which today gives the city its distinct feel of being a melting pot.
For while the local inhabitants were largely Malay, because of its early beginnings before British rule as a small trading post, the island drew to it people from all over South East Asia. This also brought to Singapore its own indigenous culture when Chinese men started settling down with Malay women. This produced children which were once called Baba Chinese, but today are known as Peranakan.
Alongside the Peranakan, Malay and Chinese also came Europeans and Indians with the institution of Sir Stamford Raffles' British rule.
Raffles immediately saw the importance of the cultures working together and put in place policies that would prevent trouble between the different races. One such policy was to assign different parts of town to each of the cultures to live.
Today the effects of this plan are still evident. Malays, with their Islamic culture were placed in the area where Beach Road passes Arab Street. Today, take a walk down Kampong Glam on the streets around the Sultan Mosque and you'll certainly see the Malay community thriving. Likewise, the Indians were placed near Serangoon Road which today is the centre of Little India.
Chinatown is the only of the cultural areas of Singapore that wasn't the original area set aside for them by Raffles. Originally the Chinese were placed at the mouth of the Singapore River, while today Chinatown resides further down the river between Boat Quay and Clarke Quay.
CHINATOWN
Chinatown is a wonderful little area to wander around. While today most of the old trades that the Chinese brought with them and gave the area its character are gone, there is still an atmosphere that is forever entrenched in the old shophouses and market atmosphere.
As night falls during festival times in Chinatown
the lanterns come out.
During Chinese festival periods the area comes alive with nightly street theatre and market shopping that draw huge crowds. During the Chinese New Year it is almost impossible to move, such are the crowds. But why would you want to when there's so many sights, smells and sounds to experience.
Chinatown not only has Chinese culture to appreciate however - the famous Sri Mariamman Temple is situated in the heart of the area at 244 South Bridge Road. It was built in 1827 and its colourful Hindu figures that adorn the roof are now a landmark for Tourists looking to find their way around the city.
ARAB STREET
Take a walk around the area surrounding the Sultan Mosque nearby Arab Street and you will find a world apart from modern Singapore. Its charm lies in the friendliness of the people and the old world style of the buildings. Today most of the buildings around the mosque have been restored, without losing their charm.
The area was in fact where the Sultan of Singapore lived before the arrival of the British rule and the Sultan Mosque is still today the centre of Muslim life in Singapore.
The Mosque, built in 1825, is the largest in Singapore and was built with the help of Sir Stamford Raffles originally, although it has had alterations since then. The locals encourage tourists to go inside and witness the Muslim culture at prayer and it is definitely worth the trip. Just remember to dress for the occasion - keep covered up.
The area is also a great place to try the Malay food in one of the nearby kopitiam, or coffee shops.
LITTLE INDIA
Like Chinatown and Arab Street, Little India possesses its own charm quite apart from the rest of the city. The best time to visit is Sunday nights when it seems the whole of the Indian population descends on the area centred on Serangoon Road. It is then that you can immerse yourself in the area, jostle with the locals and sit at any of the outdoor cafes, sampling the Indian food on offer and watching the perpetually moving crowds. It is here also that you can do some shopping for a new sari or your favourite Bollywood movie. |
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