Monday, December 27, 2010
Little India
Populated by descendants of the Indians who arrived in Singapore in the mid 1800s, Little India is one of Singapore’s most colourful districts spreading out along Serangoon Road.
Mass congregations of Indians form on Saturdays where they share with one another the happenings from ‘home’.
This place is further transformed into a fairyland of gaily decorated brightly lit streets overcrowding with shoppers during Deepavali -the Indian Festival of Lights whereby the Indians celebrate the victory of goodness over evil, light over darkness and ushers in their New Year.
This spice scented street brings you to a treasure trove of silverware, brassware, ethnic jewellery, jasmine garlands and silk saris for those interested in such objects.
Take a tour in the Little India Cultural Corner next to the food court in Little India which fascinates you with archival displays. Story signs are present to explain the rich symbolism and use of such archives.
I would suggest the adventurers to savour a South Indian rice meal with your fingers from a banana leaf at the Banana Leaf Apolo Restaurant or Muthu’s Curry restaurant along Race Course Road to emulate the Indians’ way of having a meal for it is believed that food taste better when you feed it using your fingers.
Getting there: From Orchard Road, take SBS bus 64, 64 or 111 to Serangoon Road.
Walking tour guides of Chinatown and Little India are available at the various Singapore Visitors Centres.
Labels: Ethnic Quarters, Little India
♥Arts, Culture & Heritage
10:31 PM
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Kampong Glam
Kampong Glam got its name from the Glam tree which grew in the area.
It is originally a fishing village at the mouth of Rochor River and is the historic place of the Malay royalty in Singapore. It is officially allocated to the Malays and other Muslims in 1822. However, it was also home to a successful community of Arab traders.
Within it resides the Sultan Mosque. It is the biggest mosque in Singapore with a maximum capacity of 5000 prayers. One will be able to find the famed Singapore Airline kebaya dress, decorative trinkets and accessories and books related to the Muslim culture and religion here.
For those interested in the unique wares like sandalwood, prayer beads, Rehal and wooden toothbrushes from the Muslim community, proceed to North Bridge Road, which is towards the end of Arab Street.
Extracted from : http://www.centralsingapore.org.sg/site/voices/voices19/tunes.pdf
Do also check out on the Arab Cloth merchants for their delicate skills and velvets, and also food stalls selling traditional Arab-Muslim food stuff and merchandise of all kinds.
Eateries offering Indonesian, Indian and Malay cuisine are found along Kampong Glam for those who wants to have a taste of such cuisine.
I have personally gone to Kampong Glam and I feel that the place is rich in the malay culture heritage. It is definitely worth a visit for people who are interested in knowing more about the different cultures in Singapore.
Getting there: Take the MRT to Bugis Station (EW12) and walk along Victoria Steet towards Arab Street.
Labels: Ethnic Quarters, Kampong Glam
♥Arts, Culture & Heritage
10:01 PM
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Ethnic Quarters
The presence of the Ethnic Quarters in Singapore which include locations like the Chinatown, Kampong Glam and Little India are evidence of the island-nation’s richness in ethnic, culture and historical heritage.
Chinatown
The Chinatown’s local name is called Niu Che Shui. Its direct translation of it means Bullock Cart Water). It got its name this way as in the past in Chinatown, each household collects fresh water in bullock-drawn carts from the only fresh source of water which comes from the wells in Ann Siang Hill and at Spring Street.
Chinatown is a place where the first Chinese arrived from Xiamen, Fujian province in China. Despite renovations carried out recently, old traditions, culture and heritage prevails and still remains strong.
This 3 storied restored shop houses is the Chinatown Heritage Centre whereby visitors are virtually transported back to the olden times whereby there are showcases of how the early Chinese immigrants live, eat and work for their lives in search for a better life in Singapore. The gallery are dimly lighted to remind us all of the sufferings our ancestors faced and each level display different scenarios of the immigrants’ life.
The festive seasons in Chinatown can be felt at its strongest during the Lunar Chinese New Year when the Chinese celebrates the coming of the new lunar year and spends on Chinese new year decorations, food and clothing. Windows will be decorated with red coloured paper-cuts and couplets. Many Chinese would visit Chinatown just to make their New Year purchases and also to immerse in the festival’s spirit.
A stroll through Pagoda Street or Trengganu Street exhibits cultural arts like Chinese Calligraphy, antiques, crafts, wooden clogs, traditional herbal cures and any other more.
To be more involved in the Chinese culture, try visiting the teahouse and the Thong Chai Medical Institute, then take a peek into a typical middle-class Chinese home in the 1920s at the Chinaman Scholar Gallery.
Do also stop by Food Street for an alfresco meal and the various Chinese pastry shops for home-made tarts, cakes and the famous dim sum.
I have personally gone to Chinatown during the period before Chinese New Year to get an experience of the Chinese New Year atmosphere. It is especially crowded during that period of time as everyone goes to Chinatown to get last minute gifts and tidbits to celebrate Chinese New Year.
Getting there: Take the MRT to Chinatown station (NE4) and alight at the station.
Labels: Chinatown, Ethnic Quarters
♥Arts, Culture & Heritage
10:22 PM
