Destination Singapore: The Malay Heritage of Kampong Glam
by Sharif Ishnin on 30/11/10 at 1:50 pm
Singapore is a melting port of four major races: Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian. However in the last decade, dozens of other races and cultures had settled in the island making it a cosmopolitan city in the heart of South East Asia.
The moment you arrive in Singapore, don’t be surprised with the concrete jungle that would meet and greet you. Hidden in between all the high rise super structures lies Singapore’s early precolonial beginnings. Let’s take a look at Singapore’s Malay heritage sites at Kampong Glam. Kampong means settlement or village. Glam does not mean glamour but actually means a variety of eucalyptus which grew in the area.
The History of Kampong Glam
Before the British arrived in Singapore in 1819, Kampong Glam was the home of the Malay aristocracy. When the treaty was signed between the East India Company, the Sultan of Johor and Temenggong Abdul Rahman(the island’s chieftain), this settlement became more prominent in the eyes of the people. The treaty allowed the British to set up a trading post in Singapore.
Sir Stamford Raffles plan of 1822 divided the settlement into different ethnic groups which were the Europeans, Chinese, Chulia, Arabs and Bugis. Kampong Glam was designated to the Sultan and his household together with the Bugis traders, Arabs, Javanese, Boyanese and other Muslim merchants.
Bask in the ambience of the Bussorah Pedestrian Mall with the picturesque Sultan Mosque in the distance.(Image from Wikipedia).
Modern Day Kampong Glam
Bask in the ambience of the Bussorah Pedestrian Mall with the picturesque Sultan Mosque in the distance. This area used to house successful Arab merchants during it’s heyday. Today these refurbished shophouses not only entails traditional businesses such as textile, carpets, blacksmiths and religious items used by Muslims but also new tenants like design and IT firms, art galleries, crafts and curios shops, food caterers and restaurants.
(Above) Sultan Mosque at sunset.
The Sultan Mosque was built in 1824 next to the Sultan’s palace. The design of the Sultan Mosque resembles very closely to the architectures the mosques of Islamic Spain (711 until 1492).
Image from Wikipedia
The Sultan’s palace now have become the Malay Heritage Centre. Visit the 9 galleries of Malay Heritage Museum(pictured above) and learn the story of the Singapore Malays, their roots, struggles, aspirations and role in the nation-building process. Malay Muslims makes up 15% of Singapore’s population today. Malays are made up of Javanese, Boyanese, Bugis and other ethnic groups from Malaya.
While you are at Kampong Glam don’t forget to visit the conserved shophouses in the area found in Arab Street, Baghdad Street and Bussorah Street. Below is a proposed walk through Kampong Glam for the traveller (Don’t worry this is not in Iraq).
Image from http://www.myonlinetour.com/poi/KampongGlam/index.htm
Note: Don’t try to look or ask for the Sultan while in Singapore for the island is now a republic. That story only belongs to a time long gone but not yet forgotten.
More articles on Singapore by Sharif Ishnin:
Destination Singapore: Midnight Shopping Mayhem at Mustafa Centre
Mystery of The Mausoleum That Refused to be Demolished
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Liked it
RAJEEV BHARGAVA
Nov 30th, 2010
a very well composed article on anyone wishing to holiday in Singapore. i was really impressed by the historicial footage, videos, maps and presentation. this is definately one place to go and visit. as i read this, my mind was diverted from the falling snow around me. thanks for creating and sharing.
Guy Hogan
Nov 30th, 2010
Singapore sounds like a fascinating place to visit.
Jimmy Shilaho
Nov 30th, 2010
You make me want to…
Vincent Eggleston Jr
Nov 30th, 2010
Looks amazing
Davanita
Nov 30th, 2010
What a beautifully put together piece! It makes me want to travel to Singapore…a place that I knew little about before reading this. Thank you.
jamesrcoffey
Nov 30th, 2010
Very nice job on this.
Adrn0919
Nov 30th, 2010
Wow, thank you for taking me on a trip that was quite enjoyable. Maybe one day I too will go visit. Thank you again.
lillyrose
Nov 30th, 2010
Great review! There seems so much to see and do, lots for me and lots for you!
Lady Sunshine
Nov 30th, 2010
Fascinating place. Never been anywhere in South East Asia. How is the weather?
Starpisces
Nov 30th, 2010
You are great, Sultan Sharif. I said you can write anything, and it’s proven here. Very well done, waiting for another destination from you, hehe.
pearl2010
Nov 30th, 2010
Good informations about some historic place in Singapore. It’s really look a good place of vacation.
crisdiwata
Nov 30th, 2010
Make me dream of going there…
Eunice Tan
Nov 30th, 2010
Melayu (Malay) is unique culture that belong to Singapore, Malaysia & Indonesia.
Brewed Coffee
Nov 30th, 2010
If I do get to travel, Singapore would definitely be on my list. Thanks so much for featuring wonderful places to visit there. Your history is very inspiring and I’d like to see in person the wonderful country that it has become. I wish we had leaders like you had, who have the heart for the country.
Anuradha Ramkumar
Nov 30th, 2010
I wish I can travel to Singapore now…
strategy03
Dec 1st, 2010
Great writing. I like this
Snooky
Dec 1st, 2010
Your descriptiveness is exilarating & the pictures are so enticeing makes me want to pack a bag and go
awesome11
Dec 1st, 2010
great share! thanks!
Val Mills
Dec 1st, 2010
Thanks Sharif. I’ve just transferred a few more dollars into my travel account!
Citra Florenca
Dec 1st, 2010
Oh, I’ve never been to Singapore, but after reading this, I really would love to come.
Great article, as always!
sloanie
Dec 1st, 2010
Two feet of snow in the UK, I’m on the next plane.
S A JOHNSON
Dec 1st, 2010
Wonderful pieces. I really enjoyed learning this. ^_^
papaleng
Dec 2nd, 2010
Seem a great place to see. Thanks for the tour, friend.
alvinwriter
Dec 2nd, 2010
Beautiful!
Yovita Siswati
Dec 2nd, 2010
Nice places to visit!
Sweet girl
Dec 3rd, 2010
I have published many similar things in my new blog..
If you like to check it;
http://itsmeyourmentor.blogspot.com
Kaye TM
Dec 3rd, 2010
loved it! =p thanks for the tour, =p
SharifaMcFarlane
Dec 3rd, 2010
I will visit one day. So much to see Sharif.
J M Lennox
Dec 4th, 2010
Wow – the Sultan Mosque looks so impressive. You included everything in this article (map, video, photos) and a wonderful write up.
Carlos N Figueroa dot com
Dec 8th, 2010
Very nice article, I have learned new things today!. Learning about different cultures has always been one of my passions. During my life, I traveled to many places but never had the opportunity to go to Asia or India, the two places I would love to be, there so much to see and learn. The people, the food, understanding the life style and believes is extraordinary experience. Thank you for sharing this article!!
Carlos N. Figueroa
Carlos N Figueroa dot com
Dec 8th, 2010
Very nice article, I have learned new things today!. Learning about different cultures has always been one of my passions. During my life, I traveled to many places but never had the opportunity to go to Asia or India, the two places I would love to be, there so much to see and learn. The people, the food, understanding the life style and believes is extraordinary experience. Thank you for sharing this article!!
Carlos N. Figueroa