Vol.

13 Issue biblioasia01 APR–JUN 2017 10 / A Eurasian in Malacca 16 / Land from Sand 30 / Of Reefs and Shoals 36 / Growing Up in Gedung Kuning 56 / Voices from the Japanese Occupation 60 / The Guitar Man

RECLAMATION & REINCARNATION

Chaplin Singaporein p. 2 BiblioAsia Director’s Note Editorial & CONTENTS Vol. 13 / Issue 01 APR–JUN 2017 Production “Like everyone else I am what I am: an individual, unique and different… a history of dreams, Managing Editor desires, and of special experiences, all of which I am the sum total.” Francis Dorai So wrote Charles Spencer Chaplin (1889–1977), or Charlie Chaplin, the affable Tramp FEATURES as the world knows him, in his autobiography. The inimitable actor, producer and direc- Editor tor of the silent film era was so enamoured of the Orient that he visited Singapore three Veronica Chee Chaplin in times between 1932 and 1961. Chaplin’s visits in 1932 and 1936 are little-known trivia Singapore Editorial Support 02 that might have disappeared with the tide of time if not for Raphaël Millet’s meticulously Masamah Ahmad researched essay – a work of historical reclamation, as it were. Stephanie Pee Meeting with “Reclamation and Reincarnation” is the theme of this issue of BiblioAsia – ­reclamation Yong Shu Chiang in both the literal and figurative sense − as we look at historical and cultural legacies 10 the Sea Design and Print as well as human interventions that have shaped the landscape of Singapore over the Oxygen Studio Designs Pte Ltd last two centuries. Land from Sand: 10 Discover how the British, and subsequently our own government, dictated the Contributors 16 Singapore’s extent of land reclamation in Singapore through ingenious feats of civil engineering Ang Seow Leng Reclamation Story in Lim Tin Seng’s essay. He documents reclamation projects that have increased the Caroline Chia Goh Yu Mei island-state’s land mass by nearly 25 percent, and how its boundaries will be pushed Hidayah Amin Chinese Puppet Theatre: even further in time to come. Joy Loh 24 Rekindling a Glorious Long-forgotten coastal communities at the fringes of our existence are the subject Lim Tin Seng Past of articles by Marcus Ng and Ang Seow Leng. The former charts the disappearance of Marcus Ng islands and reefs, which indirectly sparked the marine conservation movement that took Mark Wong root in the 1990s, while the latter looks at mangrove forests that have dwindled over the Melissa De Silva Raphaël Millet years but still remain an integral part of the ecosystem. Wilbert Wong Disappearing art forms, specifically the puppet theatre that diverse Chinese com- munities brought with them to Singapore generations ago are being preserved through Please direct all efforts to document a part of our precious heritage. Caroline Chia speaks to puppet masters correspondence to: 02 16 24 who are determined to continue with their craft in the hope of finding new audiences. National Library Board 100 Victoria Street #14-01 Casting her eye on another aspect of the Chinese diaspora in Singapore, Goh Yu National Library Building Through Time and Tide: Mei explains how Chinese authors in the 1920s were instrumental in defining a new A Survey of Singapore's Singapore 188064 30 “Nanyang-flavoured” genre of literature with their experimental works. Email: [email protected] Reefs Delving earlier back into history, Wilbert Wong looks back at the life, career and Website: www.nlb.gov.sg writings of John Crawfurd, the second and last British Resident of Singapore. Apart from On the cover: Gedung Kuning: Memories his achievements as an administrator, Crawfurd was also known for his ground-breaking An illustration of Charlie Chaplin 36 of a Malay Childhood books and journals on the languages and ethnology of the Malay Peninsula and Indonesia. as the Tramp, with his signature The indelible impression left by the Japanese Occupation, says Mark Wong, is bowler hat and “toothbrush” painfully apparent in the first-hand oral-history transcripts of survivors from the era. moustache. In the background is The Doctor Turned Capitol Theatre where his silent Diplomat: John The interviews − collected by the National Archives of Singapore – that recount everyday 42 realities as remembered by people from different walks of life are a visceral reminder film, Modern Times, premiered Crawfurd’s Writings on on 12 May 1936. In all, Chaplin 36 42 the Malay Peninsula of the time when Singapore was called Syonan-to (“Light of the South”). visited Singapore three times, in On a much lighter note, Joy Loh charts the career of the music maestro Alex 1932, 1936 and 1961. Cover design Abisheganaden, hailed as Singapore’s “Father of the Guitar”. His multifaceted music by Oxygen Studio Designs Pte Mangroves: A Tale of career was recognised with a Cultural Medallion in 1988. Ltd. Charlie Chaplin™ © Bubbles 48 Survival Finally, we feature two intimate and vivid accounts of what it was like to grow up Incorporated SA. as a Eurasian and a Malay person in Singapore, written by Melissa De Silva and Hidayah 寻 找 “ 南 洋 ”: 从 1 9 2 0 年 代 Amin respectively. The former retraces her Portuguese roots in Malacca, where her 52 末文艺理论初探文人对南 great-grandfather had been a fisherman, while the latter recalls her formative years 洋之印象 living in the historic Gedung Kuning, or “Yellow Mansion”, in Kampong Glam, which her great-grandfather first bought in 1912. These unique histories and experiences contribute to the sum total of what Singapore is today. We hope you enjoy reading this issue of BiblioAsia.

30 48 52 Mrs Wai Yin Pryke Director All rights reserved. National Library Board, National Library Singapore, 2017.

ISSN 0219-8126 (print) NL NOTES ISSN 1793-9968 (online) The views of writers and contribu- Voices That Remain: tors do not reflect the views of the Publisher. No part of this publica- 56 Oral History Accounts BiblioAsia is a free quarterly publication produced by the National Library Board. tion may be reproduced in any form of the Japanese It features articles on the history, culture and heritage of Singapore within the larger or by any means without prior writ- Occupation ten permission from the Publisher Asian context, and has a strong focus on the collections and services of the National and copyright owner(s). Library. BiblioAsia is distributed to local and international libraries, academic institutions, Whilst reasonable care has been The Guitar Man: taken to ensure the accuracy of 60 Alex Abisheganaden government ministries and agencies, as well as members of the public. The online the information in this publica- 56 60 edition of BiblioAsia is available at: http://www.nlb.gov.sg/biblioasia/ tion, the Publisher accepts no ­legal liabilities whatsoever for the contents of this magazine. 01 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / Feature

control of most of his films, even writing of fortune due in part to the acrimonious a part of the world that he had always his own scripts and music scores. divorce from his second wife, Lita Grey, in wanted to visit. 1927. The news of the divorce, with charges Not wanting to travel alone, Chaplin Chaplin Visits Singapore in 1932 of abuse and infidelity levelled against asked his half-brother Sydney, then living Chaplin, received front-page coverage in in Nice, in the south of France, to accom- Chaplin was 43 years old when he made the scandal-mongering American press. pany him. The two of them had grown up his first visit to Singapore in 1932 with Adding to his woes, Chaplin had been together as impoverished youths in Lon- his half-brother Sydney Chaplin. He was under severe pressure from the Internal don and had moved to Hollywood, where already a rich and famous Hollywood Revenue Service because of unpaid back Sydney (or Syd) intermittently managed personality, having churned out a string taxes.3 On the professional front, he had his brother’s career in between taking on of successful films and founded the film difficulties transitioning from the era of various acting gigs, before quitting Hol- distribution company United Artists. He the silent movies to that of the talkies. lywood for good in the late 1920s. was feted by fans and the media every- He was sceptical of the new technology, Accompanying them on the trip was Chaplin where he went, and was single again – his and, as a compromise, agreed that his Charles’ personal secretary, Toraichi second marriage to the American actress latest film,City Lights, released in early Kono, a Japanese who had worked for Lita Grey had ended in divorce in 1927. 1931, would feature a music score but him since 1916. Together, the trio boarded In all Chaplin visited Singapore on no dialogue. the Japanese NYK (Nippon Yusen Kaisha5) in three occasions. His second visit was in On 13 February 1931, Chaplin sailed ocean liner called Suwa Maru in the port of 1936 (with his then fiancée Paulette God- to Europe for a publicity tour of City Naples, Italy, on 2 March 1932. Sailing via dard) and his final visit in 1961 (with his Lights, which took him to England, Ger- the Suez Canal and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), last wife, Oona, and a few of their eight many, Austria, Italy and France. Once the they arrived in Singapore on 27 March, children). Chaplin’s inaugural visit in 1932 tour was done, Chaplin stayed behind in according to the local press6 – although was particularly significant: firstly, it took Europe (mostly in Switzerland and on the the date Friday, 25 March is mentioned in place at a key turning point in his personal French Riviera) as he simply did not feel the tour itinerary found in the annex to the Singapore life and professional career; secondly, it like going back to Hollywood.4 Finally, in reprint of Charles Chaplin’s travel memoir.7 was his first extended holiday after almost February 1932, as he had already been 20 years of non-stop work; and finally, it away from home for exactly a year, Chaplin The First Leg of the 1932 Visit was his first trip to the Orient – a visit that decided to return to California. However, would leave a lasting impression on him instead of taking the shorter and faster Singapore, then part of the Straits Settle- in the years to come. route across the Atlantic and then to the ments under the British Governor Sir Cecil To be more precise, Chaplin stayed American continent, he would travel a Clementi, clearly featured in Chaplin’s in Singapore twice in 1932. The first time longer, circuitous route via the Orient, imagination as one of those exotic places One of history’s greatest comic actors, Charlie Chaplin, was in late March, on his way to Java and Bali in Indonesia, and the second was stops over in Singapore in 1932 and makes a return on his way back from the archipelago in late April into early May. Even though visit in 1936. Raphaël Millet traces these journeys. these may appear to be casual visits by a privileged white tourist taking an extended mid-career break, they left an indelible mark in Chaplin’s memory, so much so that he recounted them in his writings on two separate occasions. Shortly after Chaplin’s journey to the Orient, he penned a travel memoir titled Charles Spencer Chaplin (1889­–1977), or with his signature bowler hat, cane and A Comedian Sees the World, published more famously Charlie Chaplin, was one “toothbrush” moustache. The penniless in five instalments in a women’s lifestyle of the most celebrated stars of the 20th- pint-sized Tramp, with his bumbling ways magazine, Women’s Home Companion, century silent film era. Born in London and heart-of-gold, would become a hit from September 1933 to January 1934.1 on 16 April 1889 to struggling showbiz with film audiences all over the world, The fifth instalment of his work deals parents, Chaplin made his foray on stage always playing the underdog who would extensively with the Asian leg of his trip; cas a teenager in England, before moving to triumph in the end. it touches upon Singapore before moving the US in the early 1910s where he signed In all, Chaplin acted in, produced or to Bali and then Japan. (Facing page) Portrait of Charles on with the Keystone Film Company. directed 82 films throughout a glittering The second time Chaplin mentions Chaplin as the Tramp, with his Chaplin is perhaps best known for screen career spanning nearly 65 years. Asia again is some 30 years later when he signature bowler hat, large his iconic screen persona as the Tramp, The multi-talented Chaplin took creative shoes, flexible cane and “tooth- wrote My Autobiography, published in 1964 brush” moustache, 1915. Cour- by the English publishing house Bodley tesy of Wikimedia Commons. 2 Raphaël Millet is a film director, producer and critic with a passion for early cinema the world Head, and then by Penguin Books in 1966. (Above and left) Charles Chaplin over. He has published several books, including Le Cinéma de Singapour (2004) and Singapore (left) and his brother Sydney Chaplin arrived in Singapore on Cinema (2006), and is a regular contributor to BiblioAsia. He recently completed filming the the Suwa Maru on 27 March 1932, documentary Chaplin Bali (2017). What Brought Charlie to Asia? and were greeted by a 200-strong Towards the end of the 1920s, Chaplin crowd at Johnston’s Pier. This was confronted with both a personal and was Charles Chaplin's first visit a professional crisis. On the personal to Singapore. The Straits Times, 28 March 1932, pp. 11, 12. front, he had to cope with a few reversals

02 03 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / Feature located “East of Suez”,8 or what was then While still onboard the Suwa Maru, When he arrives at a place, the faster night at the Sea View Hotel while waiting ately taken by ambulance to the Singapore News Service that Charlie is commonly called “the Orient”, as Chaplin Chaplin agreed to give a group interview he gets away from the European part for their boat to Java. Syd wrote of the General Hospital, where he was warded progressing satisfactorily.”22 refers to in his writings.9 to all the journalists present, among of it, the better. He likes to see how Sea View Hotel in yet another humor- for the next eight days. Leaving Ceylon, Chaplin wrote: “Our whom were British, Japanese, Chinese the natives live. If the guide wishes ous note that seems to corroborate the Not surprisingly, this instantly made In the meantime, Sydney Chaplin next port was Singapore, where we and Malay reporters, many eager to know to show him Government House or fact of their stay: “They switch off all the news not only in Singapore, but world- stayed at the Adelphi Hotel, where he entered the atmosphere of a Chinese if he was still going to make pictures, the Botanical Gardens, he asks for our lights after serving us with drinks, wide. The Associated Press issued a enjoyed hosting the press, providing jour- willow-pattern plate – banyan trees grow- and if his next picture would be a talkie. the slums.”16 because it is midnight – and so, we drink dispatch on 20 April, which was picked up nalists with regular updates on Charles’ ing out of the ocean.”10 Indeed, it would To which Chaplin nonchalantly replied: in the dark.”18 the same day by various newspapers such health, as well as giving The Straits Times have looked like a very green and lush “Of course, I am going to make more According to Syd’s travel notes, they The next morning, on 28 March, the as the Philadelphia Bulletin, the New York an exclusive interview about their recent coastline as the Suwa Maru sailed into the pictures. Will my next be silent or talkie? made the mandatory stop at the Raffles Chaplins left Singapore, sailing on the Post, the New York Journal, the Baltimore Balinese experience.23 harbour via the Strait of Malacca, cruising That I cannot say.” Hotel and then, unexpectedly, drove to steamship Van Lansberge to Batavia (now News, and other leading dailies.20 The Los In the end, Charles Chaplin was along the picturesque and undeveloped The journalists told him that his the Sea View Hotel in Tanjong Katong Jakarta), then by car to Surabaya where they Angeles Evening Herald Express ran a warded at the Singapore General Hospital western coast of Singapore. latest film,City Lights, had already been “only a short distance from town” and took another boat to Bali. The itinerary had huge headline on its front page: “Charlie much longer than he had expected. He Even though this is not clearly docu- shown in Singapore and was very well where “every room [came] with a bath, been prepared by their travel agent, Thomas Chaplin Ill in Singapore”, followed by a was discharged on 26 April, thus missing mented in either Chaplin’s writings or in received by local audiences. Chaplin modern sanitation [and] running hot and Cook and Son Ltd, whose Singapore branch detailed article that read: the ship to Japan, and had to stay put in newspaper articles of the time, the Suwa expressed surprise: cold water”. The now-demolished hotel was then located at 39 Robinson Road.19 Singapore until 6 May. Maru most likely sailed past the Telok Ayer faced the sea (as its name suggested) “Charlie Chaplin, American [sic]21 Once Charles was out of the hospital, Basin along the southern shoreline and “Is that really so? I should never and was surrounded by a coconut grove. The Second Leg of the 1932 Visit screen actor, was carried ashore to he joined Syd at the Adelphi Hotel, where docked near Johnston’s Pier, located right have believed it. And they liked City Together with the Adelphi and the Raffles, a hospital upon his arrival here from they wolfed down fresh pineapples,24 intent opposite Battery Road. The pier, which Lights, you say? I am glad to hear the Sea View was regarded as one of the After 18 days in Bali, the Chaplin brothers Java today, suffering a mild attack on enjoying their remaining days on the was built in 1856, would be torn down that. You see, a picture with just a finest lodgings on the island and, of the returned to Singapore via Java, where they of fever… The screen star’s illness island. As Charles describes it in his travel when Clifford Pier, a short distance away musical accompaniment can be three, “the most beautifully situated of all disembarked on 20 April 1932. They were was diagnosed as dengue fever, a memoir: “There were several days to wait along Collyer Quay, was completed in June shown anywhere. This is the beauty Singapore’s hotels”.17 not able to catch their connecting ship disease peculiar to warm climates before we could get a boat to Japan, so in 1933. Chaplin later recollected: “Myriads of it. There are no barriers to the Unfortunately, the Chaplin brothers to Japan on 24 April as they had initially and in particular to the East and West the meantime, we merged ourselves into of sailboats listed in the bay, and white silent picture.” were “the only customers”, Syd noted. planned as Charles had been stricken Indies… Sydney Chaplin, brother of the the life of Singapore… Of course anything ocean liners lay dormant, waiting to be fed Although not officially documented, it is with dengue fever during the trip to Bali. famous star, who is accompanying after Bali is a letdown. But Singapore has with cargo, and the harbor sang with color Once ashore, the brothers were taken very likely that the brothers spent the On arrival in Singapore, he was immedi- him on the tour, told International its charm.”25 and tropical life.”11 Writing was obviously on a guided tour of Singapore. Chaplin’s another one of Chaplin's many talents. first impression was positive: (Left) Established in 1906, Sea View Hotel was At Johnston’s Pier, about 200 peo- situated in a grove of coconut trees near the sea at ple waited to greet the Chaplin broth- “My first view of the city surprised Tanjong Katong, c.1930s. Charles Chaplin and his ers. This was certainly a change from me. Perhaps my imagination was brother Sydney Chaplin stayed for a night at the the heaving crowds that had welcomed influenced by the lurid portrayals hotel on 27 March 1932. Lim Kheng Chye Collec- tion, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore. Charles Chaplin elsewhere. Relieved at of Hollywood’s conception of it, with (Below) Ephemera from the Sea View Hotel. the relatively subdued reception in Sin- its narrow evil streets and sinister (Bottom) Charles Chaplin and his brother made a gapore – what he was looking for in this droves on every corner. But on coming second stopover in Singapore, arriving on 20 April trip to the Orient was to escape the usual into the harbor, I found green open 1932 via Java. Unfortunately, Chaplin had contracted mob frenzy – he later wrote: “The crowds spaces and gardens before palatial dengue fever while in Indonesia and was warded 14 at the Singapore General Hospital for eight days. were not as demonstrative here as they granite buildings.” The Straits Times, 26 April 1932, p. 12. were in Ceylon, but then Singapore is two degrees off the equator and I don’t blame His brother Syd seems to have been them. Nevertheless, there was a medium far less enamoured with Singapore than crowd and I was cheered, photographed, Charles was. In his travel notes peppered and interviewed.”12 with humorous details and unexpected Interestingly, a journalist sent by The anecdotes, Syd describes a visit to a Straits Times to cover the event took it Hindu temple where they were shown upon himself to explain in his article the a “golden horse with… [a] swinging and reason for the modest size of the welcom- detachable phallus”. He quipped in his ing party in Singapore: usual sarcastic fashion that Singapore “should be called Stinkapore”,15 alluding “Asiatics are not as demonstrative. to the city’s poor sanitary conditions. This They are not in the habit of mobbing was likely observed during their visit to the cinema stars, even when the star is “native quarters”, presumably the poorer none other than Charles Chaplin, sections of the city. whose name is better known than In fact, it was Charles who had that of any other man in the world, insisted on seeing the less touristy side of whose pictures are as familiar in Singapore. As an actor and film director, China, Japan and India as they are he was always interested in scratching in England. Singapore’s cinema- below the surface. Syd highlighted this goers did not turn out in force to anecdote about his brother in a subsequent greet Chaplin, they know of him, they interview with the local press: crowd the cinemas to see his pictures, but they did not seem particularly “Charlie always makes for the native interested in seeing him in the flesh.”13 quarter more than anything else.

04 05 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / Feature

They visited the Singapore zoo as (Below) Adelphi Hotel at the junction of Coleman Street and North Bridge Road, c.1945. Charles Chaplin well as the Seiryokan Fishing Pond26 and and his brother Sydney Chaplin stayed at the hotel in April 1932. Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore. travelled around the island with drivers (Bottom) Charles Chaplin (4th from the left) was entertained by the Ranee of Sarawak, her daughter H. H. provided by the hotel. They also toured the Daya Elizabeth and Mr H. C. Strickland on 27 April 1932. Courtesy of Roy Export Company Establishment. city on rickshaws27 as Charles was very interested in seeing more of the natives’ quarters – much to Syd’s dismay – who, in his travel notes, recalls that a local doctor had told them that “since the forced closing of the red light district, girls now solicit [for business] from rickshaws”, contributing to a rise in the number of local men afflicted with venereal diseases.28 With so much time on their hands, the Chaplin brothers were thrust into Singapore’s social life, which they took to like ducks to water. On one occasion, they were entertained by the Ranee of Sarawak. They also met with Joe and Julius S. Fisher, two South African broth- ers who had settled in Singapore in the late 1910s and made their fortune in the (Above) From the left: Charles Chaplin, Julius S. Fisher, Sydney Chaplin and Joe Fisher. Brothers film industry. Joe Fisher was the man- Joe and Julius Fisher were South Africans who settled in Singapore in the late 1910s and later aging director of Capitol Theatres Ltd, made their fortune in the movie industry. Joe was the managing director of Capitol Theatres while Julius was its publicity manager. Ltd, while Julius was the publicity manager. Courtesy of Roy Export Company Establishment. The Fishers took Charles and Syd (Left) Letter from tycoon Ong Peng Hock inviting Charles Chaplin and his brother Sydney Chaplin for dinner at the New World amusement park. Courtesy of Charlie Chaplin Archive. on a tour of Capitol Theatre, which had been built a year earlier at the corner of Stamford and North Bridge roads. were extraordinarily gifted and well other themes, the struggles of work life S. Fisher, the publicity manager of Capitol The Capitol was a grand building that read, for their plays consisted of in the era of rising industrial automation. Theatres Ltd, whom Charles had met on was designed in the neoclassical style. many Chinese classics by the great Chaplin was accompanied on his his first visit here in 1932. Once again, It was one of the finest cinemas of the Chinese poets… The play I saw lasted second visit to Asia by his new fiancée Chaplin’s arrival did not go unnoticed by era, with plush seating for 1,600 patrons, three nights… Sometimes it is better and favourite leading lady, the glamor- the local press, but this time the crowds including circle seats, and exceptional not to understand the language, ous Paulette Goddard (1910−1990), who were much larger compared with his first acoustics. for nothing could have affected me was cast as his co-star and love interest visit. The Singapore Free Press reported The Fishers also took the Chap- more poignantly than the last act, in Modern Times. on 19 March: lin brothers to see the horse races in the ironic tones of music, the whining Travelling with them was Paulette’s Serangoon on 30 April, which was duly strings, the thundering clash of mother, Alta Mae Goddard, acting as a “Although the Suwa Maru arrived reported by The Straits Times the next gongs and the piercing, husky voice chaperone, and Chaplin’s new secretary- earlier than was expected, there day. The headline read “Chaplin Bros. at of the banished young prince crying cum-valet, Frank Yonemori. Sailing via was a large crowd at the wharf to the Races”, with a photograph of them out in the anguish of a lost soul… as Yokohama, Shanghai, Canton and Hong see Mr. Chaplin. Miss Goddard, dressed smartly in white linen suits and he made his final exit.”32 Kong, the party arrived in Singapore on who has a trim figure and vivacious pith helmets that they had purchased a the Suwa Maru – the same ship that had personality to go with her pretty face, few weeks earlier in Cairo. On 6 May 1932, after an extended brought Chaplin to Singapore in 1932 – on and Mr. Chaplin, who was dressed On 2 May, Charles Chaplin received 15-day sojourn in Singapore, the Chaplin 18 March 1936. in his usual faultless style, were a letter from the local tycoon Ong Peng brothers departed Singapore for Japan This time, sailing from the East at the rails when the ship berthed. Hock, who invited him and Syd for dinner on the NYK vessel Terukuni Maru. They across the South China Sea, the Suwa Mr. Chaplin was given a rousing on the following Thursday at the New would both come back to visit Singapore Maru docked at Clifford Pier, which had reception. A Malay police corporal, World amusement park (which Ong and again, but not together: Charles in 1936 been built in 1933. Even before their who had been limiting the numbers his elder brother Boon Tat owned) in Jalan and 1961; and Sydney in 1937. arrival, there had been much speculation of sightseers wanting to go aboard, Besar. The Chaplins were treated to “an about Chaplin’s and Goddard’s rumoured saluted Mr. Chaplin as he stepped 29 30 elaborate Chinese dinner” by Ong, who ring and give the prize to the winner. But As someone who made his mark in Chaplin Returns to Singapore in 1936 wedding (this would have been Chaplin’s from the gangway. Mr. Chaplin held then introduced them to Chinese and what truly fascinated him was the variety Hollywood, the mecca of the entertain- third marriage), which was said to have out his hand to the Malay corporal, Malay actors and performers working at of local theatre. ment industry, but who also was, at the Almost exactly four years later, soon af- taken place either in Shanghai or Canton, who shook it heartily. The corporal the New World. same time, an actor and artist very much ter Charles Chaplin’s latest filmModern or perhaps soon to be solemnised in was so pleased at Mr. Chaplin's Charles enjoyed New World so much “The Chinese drama listed several drawn to talent, Charles Chaplin could Times was completed and released, he Singapore. On 16 March 1936, the Malaya friendly gesture that he gripped Mr. that he returned with Syd on several occa- nights. My brother and I would sit appreciate the variety of entertainment made his second trip to Singapore. Tribune reported in an attention-grabbing Chaplin's hand in both his own hands. sions before their departure: “Occasionally of an evening trying to guess the that New World offered, recalling it as one Modern Times would be the last headline that “Charlie Chaplin May Be As if in recognition of Mr Chaplin’s we would go to the New World – the native different symbols that the actors used of the highlights of his stay on the island: film in which the affable Tramp, Chaplin’s Married in Singapore”; a few days later democratic spirit, a Chinese coolie Coney Island of Singapore – where every during the play. One was a stick with universally recognised screen persona, on 19 March, the front-page headline in led a cheer and hand-clap, in which known variety of entertainment is given, a fringe of wool around the top and “My outstanding memory of would appear. Produced in the middle of The Singapore Free Press read “Chaplin all the wharf labourers, hawkers and from Malay opera to prizefighting.” One center, which the actors would shake Singapore is of Chinese actors the decade-long Great Depression and Mysterious About Marriage”. 33 money-changers joined. Mr Chaplin evening, after watching a boxing match at majestically. I guessed correctly. It who performed at the New World capturing the angst of the period, Modern Before disembarking, the celebrity removed his white felt hat from his New World, Charles was asked to enter the was a horse.”31 Amusement Park, children who Times is a tragicomedy depicting, among couple were greeted on board by Julius whitening hair to acknowledge the

06 07 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / Feature

coolies’ cheer. The taxi syces also a few paces, she cried out excitedly to Over the next few days, Chaplin and The three-night stopover was mostly clapped their hands as Mr. Chaplin, Charlie, who laughed back a reply”, The Goddard visited various places of inter- uneventful save for another lunch meet- Miss Goddard and Mrs. Goddard Singapore Free Press gleefully reported est in Singapore, such as the Singapore ing with the Fisher brothers, this time drove away.”34 on 20 March.36 Lunch would take place at Swimming Club, the Botanic Gardens and joined by two members from Asian royal the Tiffin Room of the Raffles Hotel with the Seiryokan Fishing Pond. Needless to families. One was a son of the Siamese The party took their rooms on the top Julius S. Fisher and his brother Joe, the say, the local press trailed the celebrity King Chulalongkorn, Prince Purachatra floor of the Coleman Street wing of the managing director of Capitol Theatres couple wherever they went, with Godd- Jayakara (who would unfortunately pass Adelphi Hotel, and the press made sure Ltd. Both were excited to host the couple ard always impeccably turned out in the away a few months later, in September to mention that “Miss Goddard and her as Modern Times was scheduled to open latest fashions and looking every inch 1936), and the other was Tunku Ismail, mother are occupying the same room.”35 at the Capitol Theatre on 12 May 1936.37 the glamorous star that she was. These the Crown Prince of Johor (who would be That same night, they dined in Katong Interestingly, on 20 March, Chaplin outings provided ample fodder for press crowned as Sultan Ismail in 1960). and spent the evening at the New World was invited to visit the Singapore Reforma- photographers. On Friday 10 April, Chaplin and amusement park, which Chaplin wanted tory by its Superintendent F. C. Johnson Although Chaplin’s marriage to God- Goddard finally sailed from Singapore Goddard to experience, before returning (whom he had met four years previously dard would last only six years, she was on the French liner Aramis, heading for to the Adelphi slightly before midnight. at New World). Chaplin readily obliged as regarded as a fine match for him as she Indochina before taking a slow cruise The following morning, 19 March, he was very interested in social issues. was “strong willed, independent [and] a back to the US. Chaplin’s fascination with Chaplin and Goddard toured the city by Interacting with the homeless boys was lover of life”. 38 Goddard acted in another Singapore was not over yet. He would rickshaw. “Paulette was fascinated with a reminder of his own childhood fraught of Chaplin’s film – in fact his first talkie – return again in 1961 with his fourth (and the rickshas. As her puller carried her with poverty and hardship. in 1940, entitled The Great Dictator, and final) wife, the actress Oona O’Neil, whom enjoyed a hugely successful film career he married in 1943. But that, as they say, right into the 1970s. is another story. On 24 March, Chaplin and his party left from Seletar airport on a Qantas Airways flight39 bound for Batavia,40 to begin their tour of the Dutch East Indies (Top right) Charles Chaplin’s silent film Modern (Indonesia). Returning from Bali via Times premiered at the Capitol Theatre on 12 May Batavia (“by Dutch plane”, meaning on a 1936, barely a month after Chaplin left Singapore. KNILM flight41), they landed in Singapore The Morning Tribune, 21 April 1936, p. 20. on 7 April 1936.42 Interviewed by a Morn- (Right) Film still from Modern Times. This was the last film in which the affable Tramp, Chaplin’s now ing Tribune reporter, Chaplin declared: “I universally recognised screen persona, would ap- have made no special plans for my stay pear. Produced during the Great Depression years, in Singapore, and I will just take things the film depicts the struggles of work life in the era as they come.”43 of rising industrial automation. Courtesy of Modern Times © Roy Export S.A.S.

(Left) Charles Chaplin flanked by Alta Mae God- 19 A copy of the Chaplins’ itinerary to Java and Bali drawn Retrieved from Trove website. [Note: Although both dard (left) and Paulette Goddard on their arrival Notes up by Thomas Cook and Son has been preserved in the Charles and Paulette remained extremely discreet in Singapore on the Suwa Maru on 18 March 1936. 1 Chaplin, C. (2014). A comedian sees the world (Parts IV Charlie Chaplin Archive. about their wedding, it seems that they married The Singapore Free Press, 19 March 1936, p. 1. & V). L. S. Haven (Ed.). Columbia, Missouri: University of 20 Clippings of these articles about Charles Chaplin’s illness offshore near Canton, something which Chaplin himself (Below left) Charles Chaplin and Paulette God- Missouri Press. (Not available in NLB holdings) in Singapore are kept at the Charlie Chaplin Archive. later acknowledged in his autobiography: “During this dard enjoying a rickshaw ride through the streets 2 Chaplin, C. (2003). Charles Chaplin: My autobiography 21 Charles Chaplin was born in the United Kingdom. He trip Paulette and I were married”, also adding a few of Singapore on 19 March 1936. Courtesy of Roy (Chapter 23). London: Penguin Classics. (Not available in never became an American citizen, and always retained pages later that they divorced six years later in June Export Company Establishment. NLB holdings) British citizenship. 1942 in Juarez, Mexico.] (Below) Paulette Goddard having a dip at the Singa- 3 Haven, L. S. (2014). Introduction (p. 2). In C. Chaplin, A 22 Charlie Chaplin ill in Singapore. (1932, April 20). Los 34 The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, pore Swimming Club on her visit here in March 1936. comedian sees the world. Columbia, Missouri: University Angeles Evening Herald Express, p. 1. 19 Mar 1936, p. 1. Courtesy of Roy Export Company Establishment. of Missouri Press. (Not available in NLB holdings) 23 The Straits Times, 24 Apr 1932, p. 9. 35 The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 4 Chaplin, 2003, p. 361. 24 Cf. Sydney Chaplin’s travel notes: “They insist upon 19 Mar 1936, p. 1. 5 The Japan Mail Steam Ship Company. serving us California canned fruits instead of the 36 Paulette’s first rickshaw ride. (1936, March 20).The 6 Charles and Syd Chaplin arrive. (1932, March 28). The Straits delicious fresh fruits of Singapore. What a strange form of Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, p. 1. Times, p. 12;Charlie Chaplin in Singapore. (1932, April 2). The snobbishness! Charlie and I prefer gorging ourselves with Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Malayan Saturday Post, p. 29. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. fresh pineapples!” 37 Page 20 advertisement column 1. (1936, April 21). The 7 Haven, L. S. (2014). Tour itinerary (p. 149). In C. Chaplin, A 25 Chaplin, 2014, p. 139. Morning Tribune, p. 20. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. comedian sees the world. Columbia, Missouri: University 26 Seiryokan Fishing Pond. (n.d.). Retrieved from Charlie 38 The Gamine: Paulette Goddard. (n.d.). Retrieved from of Missouri Press. (Not available in NLB holdings) Chaplin Picture Database. [Note: The author was The Chaplin Office website. 8 An expression popularised by Rudyard Kipling in his 1890 unable to find references to such a pond in primary 39 Untitled. (1936, March 24). The Malaya Tribune, p. 11. poem titled “Mandalay”, frequently used in the 1920s and sources of Singapore.] Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 30s, particularly in guide books such as Willis, A. C. (1934). 27 Sydney Chaplin’s notes: “We take rikishaw [sic] rides every 40 Qantas, founded in 1920 as the Queensland and Willis's Singapore guide. Singapore: Advertising and night through native quarters”. Northern Territory Aerial Services, had started flying Publicity Bureau Ltd. (Microfilm no.: NL 30538) 28 Sydney Chaplin, 1932 travel notes, Charlie Chaplin Archive. internationally from May 1935, when the service from 9 Chaplin, 2003, p. 362. 29 Sydney Chaplin, 1932 travel notes, Charlie Chaplin Archive. Darwin was extended to Singapore. When Chaplin took 10 Chaplin, 2003, p. 362. 30 Gunboat Jack stops Guillermo. (1932, May 2). The this flight, this was still a fairly new route. 11 Chaplin, 2014, p. 127. Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, p. 16. 41 The Koninklijke Nederlandsch-Indische Luchtvaart 12 Chaplin, 2014, p. 127. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Maatschappij (known in English as the Royal 13 The Straits Times, 28 Mar 1932, p. 12. 31 Chaplin, 2014, p. 139. Netherlands Indian Airways), founded in 1928, had in 14 Chaplin, 2014, p. 127. 32 Chaplin, 2003, pp. 362–363. 1936 launched a weekly flight from Batavia to Singapore 15 Sydney Chaplin, 1932 travel notes, Charlie Chaplin Archive. 33 Charlie Chaplin may be married in Singapore. (1936, via Palembang. The airline ceased operations in 1947. 16 The Chaplins’ plans for the future. (1932, April 24). The March 16). Malaya Tribune, p.11; Chaplin mysterious 42 Chaplin’s return. (1936, April 5). The Straits Times, p.1; Straits Times, p. 9. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. about marriage. (1936, March 19). The Singapore Chaplin Chaplin back in Singapore. (1936, April 8). The 17 Willis, A. C. (1936). Willis's Singapore guide (pp. 30–31). Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, p. 1. Retrieved Morning Tribune, p. 11. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Singapore: Alfred Charles Willis. Retrieved from BookSG. from NewspaperSG; Rumor of Chaplin wedding 43 The Morning Tribune, 8 Apr 1936, p. 11. 18 Sydney Chaplin, 1932 travel notes, Charlie Chaplin Archive. in Singapore. (1936, March 18). Barrier Miner, p. 2.

08 09 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / Feature

with the

Melissa De Silva mulls over what it is to be Eurasian in this evocative short story that takes her back to the Portuguese Settlement in Malacca. (Left) On the shores of the Portuguese Settlement in Malacca, where many of the Portuguese-Eurasian residents used to be fishermen.Photo by Desmond Lui. Courtesy of Melissa De Silva. (Above) The writer at about five years of age. Courtesy of Melissa De Silva.

I am nine. "Those four Indian girls sitting to stick out as even more of a tourist. He "People who are mixed. Europe people my grandparents till I was five, razed to the across a gate pause in their conversation, I am in Primary Three, in social together, split up!" is stony-faced when he accepts my red and Asia people mixed together." ground. Thank god the dragon playground watching me silently as I pass. The stranger studies class at the all-girls Convent of My three friends and I look at one Singaporean passport. Then he flips it "Aww... like Gurmit Singh issit?" in front of the building was spared, out of in the village. What's even weirder is I'm the Holy Infant Jesus. Not all of us are another. Who was she talking to? Faranaz is open and his eyes glide over my surname. he says, referring to the Singaporean a government nod at “preservation” and overcome with a feeling of kinship with Catholic (we even have some Muslims in of Pakistani descent; Geraldine is Eurasian, His expression lifts. comedian. “Singapore icons”. these sun-browned, curly-haired people ithe enrolment) and unlike my mother's like me. Only Michelle is Indian. "De Silva," he enunciates perfectly. "Er... no. Uncle, Gurmit Singh is Chi- Some minutes later we approach the I've never seen before. day when sweet Irish nuns taught classes, "I said move!" she snaps. "You are Portuguese?" nese and Indian. His surname is 'Singh', gates of our destination. In the 1500s, when the Portuguese none of our teachers are nuns except one She clearly means us. We are "Il mio nonno." My grandfather. Now, so – never mind." "Okay uncle, you can stop here please." arrived at the palm and mangrove-fringed who makes me think of a bespectacled alarmed. Being nine, and cowed by the that's not exactly true. But I don't know how I've never understood why it seems so As the taxi rolls to a halt, the driver coastal town of Malacca, on the west coast of cockroach. That day, the social studies les- authority of a teacher, we break apart and to say “great-grandfather” in Italian so I can't difficult to understand. No doubt we make cranes his neck to look at the massive the Malay Peninsula, their imperative was to son promises pleasant disruption because manage to find random seats among the tell him it was my great-grandfather who up less than one percent of the population, three-storey building in the middle of the gain control of the lucrative maritime trade we have to move out of the classroom to rest of the pupils. I'm not able to articu- was from Goa and he was only part Por- but we've been part of this country since the leafy residential neighbourhood. "What is passageway between Asia and Europe. As the air-conditioned video lab. We also late the sense of unfairness I feel, like a tuguese. But none of this seems to matter. colonial times, as long as some and longer this place? Your house ah?" time went on, the union of the Portuguese get to choose our seats, and I choose to hot, clenched fist. But during the rest of "Muy bueno!" He beams genuine than others. "No, this is the Eurasian Association." with the local women resulted in the sit with my three friends (we're the only the lesson, and as I sit brooding on the welcome at me and I experience a strange We spend the rest of the journey "Har?" burnished-skinned children with Iberian ones in class who study Malay as a second public bus that afternoon, I can't shake my warm feeling I've never felt at Changi Airport in silence, zooming past skeletons of "For Eurasian people, mixed people, features, and a culture that leaned heavily language): Faranaz Alam, Michelle Joseph conviction – what she'd done was wrong. returning home. condos rising from stamp-sized plots mix European and Asian." toward the religion, customs and language and Geraldine Minjoot. Why shouldn't we have been allowed to of land, regurgitated tarmac and clay Still not rolling my eyes. of the male colonisers. Five hundred years When the chatter and movement sit together? Never mind that she was I am thirty-five. from road works and the boarded-up "Oh, united nations ah?" later, this tiny Catholic community, with across the room finally settles, Ms Pat Lim, ignorant only one of us was Indian. Every I am in a cab on the way to the Eurasian Red House Bakery on East Coast Road, a robust Latin tendency towards music, a short, chunky woman with a porky sort single one of the rest of our class was Association at Ceylon Road. The taxi driver its shophouse face shuttered and mute. In December that year, I make a trip to Ma- dance and enjoying the sweetness of life, of face, casts her eye over us. Chinese – all thirty of them – and they eyes me openly in the rear view mirror. This is Singapore. Where you'd be a fool lacca in Malaysia. The Portuguese Settle- still endures in the midst of the Muslim- were sitting all together, weren't they? "Miss, you are what ah?" to cling to any place held dear, where the ment (formed in 1926 to help consolidate majority country. I've moved beyond my teenage bel- treasures of space and memory being the Portuguese-Eurasian community) is A month earlier in November, I was Melissa De Silva has worked in magazine I am twenty-five. ligerence, when I would either not acknowl- blasted into oblivion is the only certainty a coastal hamlet of modest, mostly single- in Uncle Maurice Pereira's living room in journalism and publishing, including stints at Singapore Press Holdings and Mediacorp I am trying to communicate with edge they were referring to my race or in the ferocious race for development. storey houses spanning three lanes on the Portuguese Settlement. The rain was Publishing. Her fiction and non-fiction works the immigration official at the airport in retort, "Human." I don't even roll my eyes The red-brick National Library where my either side of the impressively named driving down against the slatted wooden have been published in journals in Hong Kong, Barcelona. He is speaking in Spanish, and anymore, even in my head. I think I've come mother used to take me since I was two, d'Albuquerque Road. As I walk along the shutters. His fisherman's hands, weather Singapore and the US. Her debut collection I respond in my newly acquired broken a long way. demolished to make way for a yawning main road, an old man with sun-creased worn, were clasped on his lap. My father's of short stories Others is not a Race will be Italian, refusing to lapse into English, "Eurasian." traffic tunnel. Block 28 Lorong 6 in the Toa skin turns his head as he cycles by. A wavy- cousin was bare-bodied, wearing only published by Math Paper Press in 2017. because I'm ridiculously determined not "What is loo-rayshiun?" Payoh neighbourhood, where I lived with tressed teenaged girl and two boys chatting white loose cotton pyjama trousers, and

10 11 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / Feature his still-muscled torso made him look planks we sit on are worn smooth, bleached like a jujitsu master. He regarded me with by the sun. Even if I run my fingers along the eurasians: more than just half-half eyes of blue traced around dark lenses, edge of the boards, I don't feel any splinters. the onset of cataracts. Soon we are speeding through the A Eurasian is someone who is of Asian My great-grandfather had been a waves and Maurice is pointing out spots and European lineage. Many people fisherman in Malacca, the traditional live- on the shoreline where in the 1950s, they assume Eurasians are people with lihood of this community descended from would push their boats through the mud one Asian parent and one European the seafaring Portuguese. My father had of the mangroves at 5 am, carrying their or Caucasian parent. Children of such told me how, when he was a boy, he would water for the day in glass bottles ("Those partnerships are certainly techni- accompany his mother – who moved to days no one had a fridge"). cally Eurasian, but a Eurasian isn’t Singapore with his father after World War We approach a boat with a flapping exclusively defined as a person with II to seek a better life – to Malacca during orange and yellow flag, carrying two Eura- this combination of parentage. In the the school holidays. There, he'd learned sian fishermen, a father and paunchy son, context of Singapore and Southeast from his grandfather how to make two and a Malay boatman. A white buoy attached Asia, Eurasians are long-established foods from the fishermen's catch:chinch - to a stick with a red flag bobbing nearby communities of people with mixed Asian alok, the relish of shrimp fermented in salt indicates where their net is. and European ancestry and a history and brandy; and belachan, heavily salted, "They are fishing for pomfret," says that dates back to the 16th century. (Above) Eurasian cuisine is a blend of Indian, Malay, Chinese and European culinary traditions. Devil fermented shrimp paste, baked into hard Maurice. Many Eurasians in Singapore, as curry – also spelt as “debal” which means “leftovers” cakes in the sun, excellent stir fried with He asks them how it's going. There's with the rest of Asia, are a product of in Kristang – is usually cooked for special occasions vegetables and a generous handful of chilli. no need to reply. As they draw up the net, European colonialism. The first Euro- and best eaten with a side of crusty bread. All rights As I explained how I'd like to document it sparkles like fairy candyfloss, then we pean colonials in Asia were the Portu- reserved, Gomes, M. (2001). The Eurasian Cookbook his work by going out fishing with him, to see they've only caught three tiny fish, guese, who established themselves in (p. 68). Singapore: Horizon Books. (Right) William Jansen, a Eurasian, and his family in record it for future generations, his craggy each smaller than a child's palm. The son Malacca, Macau, Goa and Timor in the this photograph taken at the Kampong Java govern- white eyebrows rose. tosses a plastic bag caught in the net back 16th century. Other European colonisers ment quarters in 1923. All rights reserved, Blake, "You want to write something? About into the sea. followed, including the Dutch in Malacca, M. L., & Ebert-Oehlers, A. (Eds.). (1992). Singapore me?" Maurice's voice takes on a hard edge. Sri Lanka and Indonesia, the Spanish in Eurasians: Memories and Hopes (p. 64). Singapore: Eurasian Association, Singapore, and Times Editions. "All the fish dying, all the construction, the the Philippines, the French in Indochina, That Saturday morning in December, it's reclamation." and the British in India, Burma, Malaya just past 8.30 am when I set off with Uncle We are soon scudding past a small and Hong Kong. ancestry, their unique position of straddling European culinary traditions and offers category “Others”. In past decades, this Maurice and his 18-year-old grandson, island, called Pulau Jawa, just off Malacca's These colonies in turn attracted two cultures while ostensibly belonging to unique dishes such as devil curry − also category used to refer predominantly to Jeremy, in his open boat named Lucy. coast. "In the '60s, we would go camping European traders seeking their fortunes. neither, was an important factor in prompt- spelt as “debal”, meaning “leftovers” in the Eurasians. In recent times, however, His cropped-close white bristles are hid- there, to fish, eat sardines and gather sea- Unions – both illicit as well as legal − ing them to band together as a cohesive Kristang, a creole language that is traced the “Others” category has expanded den under a black cap and he's wearing weed to make jelly," Maurice tells me, his between European men and local Asian group, one that was neither Asian nor to the Eurasian community in Portuguese to include new citizens who do not fit a white polo tee that says “Irish Harrier sea-otter face crinkled with glee. women eventually resulted. From these European. In 1883, a group of like-minded Malacca − beef vindaloo, oxtail stew, salt into the categories of Indian, Malay or Pub” on the back. Pulau Jawa was where the Portuguese unions came Eurasian offspring such Eurasians formed the Singapore Recreation fish pickle and desserts like sugee cake Chinese, such as Filipinos, Caucasians, The water glitters. My notebook and naval general Afonso d'Albuquerque first as the French Eurasians of Indochina, Club exclusively for Eurasians. This was a and brueder cake. Africans and Japanese. camera are waterproofed in plastic and dropped anchor on 1 July 1511, as he led the Mestizos in the Philippines, the Indo reaction to the barring of Eurasians and Throughout Singapore’s history, the Eurasians now find themselves in ready to go. At my feet at the bottom of the a fleet of 18 ships, with 900 Portuguese in Indonesia, the Macanese in Macau, Asians from the European-only Singapore number of Eurasians has remained low. In the same group as citizens who are not boat is a one-day-use orange lifejacket, still men and 300 Goan-Indians, sailing in on the Anglo-Indian and Anglo-Burmese Cricket Club that was formed in 1852. the 19th century, the Eurasian population perceived as Singaporean from birth, a in its clear wrap, and the fishing nets. The his carrack, the Flor de la Mar. Eurasians in the Indian subcontinent and Historically in Singapore, Eurasians never exceeded more than 2.5 percent of cause of much frustration and discontent Burma respectively, and in Sri Lanka, married other Eurasians, contributing to the population. In 1871 for instance, at 2.2 as fellow Singaporeans question if they the further mingling of European and Asian percent of the population, Eurasians num- Maurice Pereira (left) and his grandson Jeremy, in his fishing boat on the seas around the Portuguese the Dutch Burgher people. are indeed Singaporean. In addition, Settlement in Malacca. Photo by Desmond Lui. Courtesy of Melissa De Silva. Similarly, many Eurasians in Sin- lines of heritage within the small, tight-knit bered 2,164 people. In 1891, they numbered many Eurasians have married out of gapore trace their mixed European and community. The typical social circle of a 3,589 people at 2 percent of the population. their race, resulting in a new generation Asian ancestry from many generations Eurasian during the British colonial times The Eurasian population shrank further of children who may or may not identify past. Portuguese ancestry is a com- and in the early years after Singapore’s between 1965 and 1980, when many of with the Eurasian heritage and culture. mon thread among many Singaporean independence included other Eurasians. them emigrated to other Commonwealth These factors in recent years have bred Eurasians because the Portuguese were They were neighbours or family acquaint- countries such as Australia, the UK and further complex issues of identity for the first European colonisers in Asia ances; they attended the same church (St Canada for various reasons. A Straits the Eurasian community in Singapore, (having arrived in India in 1498, and then Joseph’s Church on Victoria Street for many Times report from 22 February 2006 put a people who have had a fractured subsequently extending their dominion Eurasian Catholics) and went to the same the number of émigré Eurasians during cultural identity since their inception in to Malacca in 1511). Due to the Dutch Christian mission schools, especially those this period at around 25,000. According to colonial times. presence in Asia – who made their first established by the La Salle Brothers and the 2010 census, Eurasians comprised just Asian foray into the Maluku islands in the Sisters of the Holy Infant Jesus. Their 0.4 percent of the population; only 15,581 Indonesia in 1605 − many Singaporean active social life included tea dances and people classified themselves as Eurasian Eurasians also claim Dutch heritage. New Year’s Eve balls, and games such as in an island with over 5 million people. Other Eurasians in Singapore trace rugby, hockey and cricket. Another factor which contributes to References various European lineages, including The Eurasians were united by their the obscurity of this ethnic group is that Blake, M. L., & Ebert-Oehlers, A. (Eds.). (1992). German, French and British. common Christian faith, their fluency in unlike the Indians, Malays and Chinese, who Singapore Eurasians: Memories and hopes. Over time, these diverse Eurasians English and their cultural habits, which have their own category under Singapore’s Singapore: Eurasian Association, Singapore, and came together to form their own distinc- included both Asian and European influ- multicultural policy (known as CMIO, which Times Editions. (Call no.: RSING 305.80405957 SIN) Pereira, A. A. (2015). Eurasians. Singapore: Institute tive community. Their common experi- ences. Eurasian cuisine for instance draws stands for “Chinese, Malays, Indians and of Policy Studies and Straits Times Press. (Call ence of having both European and Asian inspiration from Indian, Malay, Chinese and Others”), Eurasians are classified under the no.: RSING 305.809095957 PER)

12 13 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / Feature

Uncle Maurice points to undulations the Immaculate Conception for Mass at gold glaze and casts the wrought iron lamp of pale grey mounds in the distance on the 7.30 am. The place is not jam-packed like outside into silhouette. The lamp looks like water. His forearms are compact and sleek I expected but about 75 percent full. After those I've seen in photos of Lisbon's streets. with muscle, lined with protruding veins. I'm seated, I see the pew I've chosen has I've always wanted to visit Portugal, to see "See what happened," his eyes rest on the no kneeler. The polished ceramic tile floor the place of my ancient ancestors, but now, coastline of developments, "to our sea". looks practically spotless, far cleaner than perhaps there's no need. I realise why I feel Sand barges lie like alien spacecraft the church floors in Singapore, where you so strangely comfortable in Malacca. I've beside them and the air is filled with metallic can often spot stray hairs or dust bunnies. found a place I can claim as my own. hissing sounds. These piles of sand are the I decide to stay. Five minutes later though, nascent artificial islands of Melaka Gateway, the sun inching across the grid rectangle After Mass I take a two-minute walk down a project with ambitions to be the largest of window facing the pew is blinding. to the beach. The sun is watery on the blue cluster of synthetic islands in Southeast I move to the adjacent pew. A dusky and open boats with peeling paint bob Asia. The plan for the 246-hectare area is man with steel-rimmed spectacles is seated against the charcoal rocks. In the distance to hold entertainment resorts, theme parks at the end, his head bent. I tap him on the is a kelong structure, picturesque, made and "man-made eco-islands". shoulder and he makes way for me. Two of long sticks. Three mudskippers the "We fishermen don't cryah? Habis, minutes before the Mass starts, a short length of my index finger hop among the habis lah," he says in Malay. When it's man with honeyed highlights smiles his ropes mooring the boats. gone, it's gone. way into our pew and takes a seat on my As I move closer to the jetty, the air As I look, I think of my great-grandfa- right. In Singapore, I can go weeks without is filled with the metallic whine of drills ther, the fisherman, and imagine the times seeing any other Eurasian except my own and the clang of machinery. Relentless he'd shared with my own father, passing family. Here, I'm sandwiched between two construction, even on a Sunday. Instead of on traditions that had survived for over five Eurasian men, neither of whom are my the unfettered expanse of ocean, now the centuries. And now, just three generations relatives. This unprecedented scenario view from the settlement is blighted by later, the thread of all this knowledge and practically qualifies as being on a reality the concrete monstrosity of the upcoming richness would be snapped. My retired dating show. hotel a few hundred metres away, grasping father had been trained as a mechanic. where the fishermen would catchsiput, "Never mind Uncle. It's okay. I got to see guese-Eurasian fishermen in Malacca, and During the Mass, the children are for the sky. In the sea beyond are islands As for myself, former women's magazine sea snails, then cook them with slices of the sea. We can go back." our traditional livelihood. It seems almost not heard, unlike the constant fidgeting, of powdery grey sand. In an alternate journalist and urban princess, I'm hardly unripe papaya, small prawns and santan, He cuts the engine. "No hurry. We drift funny it didn't happen. Almost. Maurice murmuring and some outright conversa- universe, they could be beautiful, like the the material of a maritime professional. coconut milk. for a while. We relax." stirs me from my reverie with a gesture. He tions between parents and their kids during humpbacked mounds of Vietnam's Halong A half hour later, we are having engine Here, the ocean is a translucent mud It was a clear distinction of values: jerks his chin toward Jeremy, sitting at the services in Singapore. At one point, while Bay, if you ignore the fact that these are the trouble. Maurice fiddles with the outboard tint, like watery tea stirred with milk, with manic urban efficiency versus sea village bow. The massive construction for a hotel we are standing, the boy of about six in offshoots of reclamation. motor but it doesn't revive. Smiley Jeremy, a greenish-blue rim along the horizon. chill. I feel slightly chastened, not by him but by the settlement's jetty forms a backdrop the pew in front of me wiggles from his I remember how it felt to be out in the with blindingly white, straight teeth and an Flakes of sun dance on the water and by my own embryonic Latin spirit. "C'mon," for his grandson's figure. grandmother's grasp and scampers to sit boat yesterday, the lapping of the waves, undercut with attitude, picks up the oar and I'm gripped by the urge to swim, to glide it prods me. "Can't you even relax a little Maurice's tone is a wash of sadness and hug her from behind, burying his head the caress of the breeze, the sear of heat rows. Without the low roar of the engine, through the cool. I lean over the boat's and enjoy being out at sea?" over weary anger. "Jeremy cannot be in in the small of her back. She takes his wrist on skin. When I started out for Malacca just the peace is velvet. The only sounds are the edge and trail my fingers through the I don't yet know what my Latin spirit this line already," he says, meaning fishing. and guides him gently to stand beside her. two days ago to document a vital piece of lapping of the sea against the boat and the waves, letting the water release in a deli- looks like. I picture it maybe doing the "The sea is dead." At no point during the Mass did I see anyone my heritage, I didn't imagine I'd be setting swish of waves against the sun-bleached cious crest. flamenco, holding maracas, even though His last words are muffled as the dull look at their mobile phones. This I like. This off on a journey to the place where I'd finally wood of the oar. "We're coming to the place for this is a culturally muddy, geographically drone of a generator fills the air. I like very much. feel like I belong. Yet this place too, is having As we make our way slowly back to fishing," announces Maurice some time inaccurate rendition. Is it a woman? Well, At intervals during the service, my its identity eroded by the relentless claw of shore, Jeremy tells me he works for a local later, when the mangroves have become it looks olive-skinned, and seems to be The next morning, on Sunday, I walk to eyes drift to the window. The early morn- development. Is it selfish of me that my joy film production house called Marco Polo specks in the distance. I rummage in wearing a red dress. But this just might be the settlement's Chapel of Our Lady of ing light bathes the brick wall beyond in a still outweighs my sadness? What I do know and has just completed a job working on a my bag and unwrap my camera from its the subconscious influence of the Whatsapp is that this is the only patch in the world film set in Mongolia, filmed in a studio in plastic covering. emoticon of a woman in a red dress holding where I don't have to explain who I am, or Johor Bahru. His job was to look after the "Boy, where are the nets?" he asks maracas I sometimes use. why. There is such relief at being able to animals on the set. There were three pigs, Jeremy. Maurice points out a boat with a roof. walk among people like me, unexplained two goats, a puppy and a lamb. When two Jeremy stares at the floor of the boat He tells me how before, when they did night and understood. The feeling is euphoric. of the pigs got into a scuffle, a piece of one as if encountering virgin terrain. He has fishing, they would sleep in a boat like that. Tok, tok, tok. The sound of hammering pig's ear flew off. Jeremy saved it. the look of a boy who has misplaced the "No mosquitoes!" He slaps his knee as if infuses the morning. The sun's soft light "It's brown now," he says, sounding nets. There are the lifejacket, rope and a in triumph. "If you get hungry, cook Maggie filters through the green netting shrouding like a proud father. "Soon I think it will be plastic container with money, sunglasses, Mee, drink coffee. So nice!" His eyes shine. the concrete structure, as the yellow hard black." a penknife and Maurice's mobile phone in The man has a lifetime of happiness bottled hats scurry about their business. I turn my "Does it smell?" I ask. it. They'd forgotten to load the nets when inside him, I think, enough to last the rest back to it all and start making my way down He nods, dazzling me with a smile. we swapped boats. of his time on earth. the beach, the noise of industry growing "Yes." "If we go back one hour to get the net As my mind flashes to my previous fainter with each step. and come back, it will be too late for fishing career of chronically overstressed cubicle Finally, we make it to a ramshackle dock already," Maurice explains. rat and the illness that it finally produced, and Maurice trades boats with another My heart flops. There was only today. perhaps it's naïve romanticising, but I feel a fisherman. On the second leg of the trip, as Tomorrow he'd be off to the hospital to have deep tug of yearning for this hard yet idyllic “Meeting with the Sea” appears in we pass mangroves near Kampung Batang his cataracts removed, and he didn't know life, and an ache for everything that's passed (Top) Religious festivals are part of life in the predominantly Catholic Eurasian community of Malacca's Melissa De Silva’s debut collection Portuguese Settlement. Pictured here is the celebration of Festa San Pedro or Saint Peter's Festival. Saint Pasir, the trees closer to the water's edge if or when he'd be fishing again. and will be lost forever. Peter is the patron saint of fishermen. Some men of the community carry a statue of the saint to the shore of short stories, Others is not a toppled like fallen soldiers, Maurice tells I manage to nod. Maurice has been Later, as the boat chugs slowly back to to bless the fishing boats.Photo by Desmond Lui. Courtesy of Melissa De Silva. Race, to be published by Math Paper me the mangroves used to be alive with kind, hospitable and his company an abso- shore, I think about how I'd travelled all the (Above) The faithful gather for Mass at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in the Por- Press in 2017. wild boars, monkeys and birds. This is lute delight. I don't want him to feel badly. way here to document one of the last Portu- tuguese Settlement. Photo by Desmond Lui. Courtesy of Melissa De Silva.

14 15 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / Feature

Lim Tin Seng is a Librarian with the National (Facing page) Aerial photograph of ongoing reclamation work in Tuas. Photo by Richard W. J. Koh. All rights Library, Singapore. He is the co-editor of reserved, Koh, T. (2015). Over Singapore (pp. 108–109). Singapore: Editions Didier Millet. Roots: Tracing Family Histories – A Resource (Below) This lithograph (c. 1850) by Lieutenant Edwin Augustus Porcher from the British Royal Navy Guide (2013), Harmony and Development: shows the view as seen from South Boat Quay, where Singapore’s first reclamation took place in 1822. ASEAN-China Relations (2009) and Courtesy of the National Museum of Singapore, National Heritage Board. (Bottom) Named after George Chancellor Collyer, then Chief Engineer of the Straits Settlements, Collyer China’s New Social Policy: Initiatives for Quay was built on reclaimed land by convict labour and completed in 1864. Courtesy of National Archives a Harmonious Society (2010). He is also a of Singapore. LAND regular contributor to BiblioAsia. FROM Over the past two centuries, Singapore’s land area has expanded by a whopping 25 percent – from 58,150 to 71,910 hectares (or 578 to 719 sq km).1 This gradual increase in land surface is not because of tectonic movements or divine intervention, but SAND orather the miracle of a man-made engi- Singapore’s Reclamation Story neering feat known as land reclamation. The quest for land is as old as time immemorial; one of the reasons nations go to war is to gain new territory to sup- port a growing population. Land-scarce Singapore, however, has elected to create new land by reclaiming it from the rivers and the seas.

Boat Quay: The First Reclamation Project Many people think of land reclamation in Singapore as a fairly recent phenomenon, but in actual fact the earliest reclamation project took place in colonial times. When Stamford Raffles landed at the mouth of the Singapore River in January 1819, the lay of the land was vastly different from what we see today. The river was flanked by mangrove swamps and mosquito-infested jungle, and what is now Telok Ayer Street and Beach Road were coastal areas that hugged the sea. It did not take long for the British to get was built along the river’s edge to prevent conceived by the Municipal Engineer, down to business. Singapore was officially the water from overflowing into the land. George Chancellor Collyer. claimed by Raffles as a colony, and just four The process took about four months and Collyer wanted to build a seawall to years later, the island witnessed the first gave rise to a crescent-shaped area known serve as a landing site and a road behind it of its many topographic transformations. today as Boat Quay. This, together with what so that merchants could have their estab- The first land reclamation project in was left of the hillock, became Commercial lishments facing the waterfront. This would Singapore took place in 1822 at the south Square – and eventually, Raffles Place – the not only improve the “aspect of Singapore’s bank of the Singapore River. Initially, Raf- heart of the commercial district as mapped waterfront”, but also allow the merchants fles had eyed the Esplanade-Rochor River out in Raffles’ 1822 town plan of Singapore.3 to keep an eye on the movement of ships beach front, north of Singapore River, as carrying their goods. Indeed, some of the the commercial district. But as the area Collyer Quay: Creating the Waterfront first buildings constructed along Collyer Thanks to land reclamation, the tiny red dot has broadened was unsuitable for shipping activities due Quay were linked at the second storey by a to shallow waters and the surf, Raffles Boat Quay and Commercial Square grew verandah that faced the sea. Peons armed its shores substantially. Lim Tin Seng discovers just how altered his town plan accordingly.2 rapidly. By the late 1860s, the mercantile with telescopes would be stationed along As the south bank occupied a low- community had outgrown the site, spilling the verandah to announce the arrival of much Singapore has grown since colonial times. lying marsh that was prone to flooding, a over to another reclaimed strip of land to their company ships.5 hillock near where Battery Road is located the south. Known as Collyer Quay, this As work on the foundation of the today was levelled to provide earth to fill stretch – from Johnston’s Pier to the old seawall could be carried out only when the the wetlands. About 300 coolies were hired Telok Ayer Market – was reclaimed between tide was at its lowest ebb, an occurrence to carry out the work and an embankment 1859 and 1864.4 This was part of a scheme that took place once every fortnight, the

16 17 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / Feature reclamation proceeded at a glacial pace. June 1937 by Governor Shenton Thomas, government agencies appointed to carry out Phases III and IV began simultaneously in It took three years for the seawall to be who declared it the “finest airport in the land reclamation in Singapore. But first, 1971 at both ends of the newly reclaimed completed and another year to lay the world”. PWD Director Major R. L. Nunn before any work began, a pilot project was East Coast strip. When work was completed road behind it.6 said that it was an “audacious engineering carried out by the HDB in 1963 to reclaim in 1975, Phase III had added 67 hectares of achievement”.20 48 acres in the Bedok area. land to the foreshore fronting Tanjong Rhu First Reclamation at Telok Ayer: Even as Kallang Basin was being Work on the East Coast Reclamation and Queen Elizabeth Walk, while Phase IV Redrawing the Coastline reclaimed, the authorities had embarked site began officially in 1966 and would con- added 486 hectares from Bedok to Tanah on another project in June 1932. This tinue for a remarkable 30 years over seven Merah Besar. In the late 1800s, Collyer Quay was further would add 47 acres to the Beach Road phases.25 Phases I and II from Bedok to the Phase V involved the reclamation expanded when the Telok Ayer Reclamation Reclamation site to create a foreshore tip of Tanjong Rhu took place between 1966 of Telok Ayer Basin. Starting in 1974, it Scheme was commissioned. Carried out that would stretch from Stamford Road and 1971, resulting in 458 hectares of land extended the already reclaimed foreshore between 1879 and 1897, it altered the shore- to Rochor River. The site, also known as as well as a 9-km stretch of sandy beach. by 34 hectares and expanded the basin. line of Telok Ayer by extending it seaward Raffles Reclamation Ground, was created with a 42-acre tract.7 The aim was to create by two earlier reclamations that took place new land so that thoroughfares, including in the 1840s and 1890s. The reclaimed land reclamation: how does it work? By the mid-1980s, however, these Cecil Street, Robinson Road and Raffles land was used to build Alhambra and resources began to run out and Sin- Quay, could be built to link the commercial Marlborough cinemas, Beach Road police The proposed site for reclamation is gapore had to import sand from neigh- district and the new port at Tanjong Pagar station, and the Singapore Volunteer Corps first investigated to determine seabed bouring countries. This soon became a via Telok Ayer.8 Previously, these two areas Headquarters and Drill Hall (the former conditions, availability of fill materials problem when the cost of foreign sand were cut off by the hills of Mount Wallich, Beach Road Camp). The open land also as well as the shape and alignment of skyrocketed from less than $20 per Mount Palmer and Mount Erskine, making regularly hosted football matches and the reclaimed area. Environmental sq m in the 1970s to $200 per sq m in the movement of goods between the port circus shows.21 studies are then carried out to assess the 90s. The situation hit crisis levels and town cumbersome.9 This latest reclamation plan would the impact on water quality, water when Malaysia and Indonesia banned This reclamation project was a com- turn the Beach Road shoreline into a level, tidal flow, sedimentation and the export of sand to Singapore in 1997 plex one as the Public Works Department “new waterfront”, with a bridge built over marine life. and 2007 respectively. (PWD) had to blast out parts of Mount Stamford Canal to provide a “waterfront Work proper begins with the Although Singapore had to Wallich and Mount Palmer in order to drive” from Anderson Bridge to Kallang. To erection of containment dykes made turn to other countries for sand, it create an opening into Tanjong Pagar. The An aerial view of the Central Business District in the 1950s with the octagonal-shaped Telok Ayer Market complement this vision, a 6-acre reclama- of sand and rock around the perimeter recently developed a more sustain- earth from the excavations was then used (Lau Pa Sat) on the left and Clifford Pier jutting out into the sea on the right. In the foreground is Telok tion project was commissioned in 1939 to of the area to be reclaimed. Materials able method that has reduced the as landfill to create Telok Ayer Bay. The Ayer Basin where small vessels once anchored. The tidal basin was eventually reclaimed in the 1970s. enlarge the Esplanade along Connaught such as cut-hill soil, sand and clay amount of sand needed for reclama- © Urban Redevelopment Authority. All rights reserved. work was tedious as the hills were rocky Drive to create a 600-yard tract linking are then transported from other sites tion works. Called empoldering, it and the sides had to be cut and graded. In Anderson Bridge to Stamford Canal. to fill the enclosed area. The newly has since been successfully deployed addition, the shoreline had to be drained The plan for the new harbour, the project had ballooned from 2.5 to 15 The Beach Road and Esplanade recla- reclaimed land must be allowed to by the HDB for the on-going reclama- while keeping a section of it accessible unveiled in 1902 and revised in 1904, was million Straits dollars.17 mations were completed at a cost of about settle naturally over time before any tion of Pulau Tekong.27 so that fishermen could continue their drafted by the engineering firm Coode, 1.2 million Straits dollars. However, the structures can be built. In most cases, trade. By 1886, the stretch extending into Son & Matthews, and entailed reclaiming Kallang Basin and Beach Road waterfront vision did not materialise until however, the process is speeded up Cecil Street was completed, allowing the an 88-acre tract with a 5,000-ft long sea- after World War II when Merdeka Bridge with soil improvement methods.26 Reclamation work taking place at Pasir colonial government to start leasing the wall that stretched from Johnston's Pier The hefty cost of the Telok Ayer Tidal Basin (now Nicoll Highway) was built and the Since the first reclamation pro- Panjang. With rising costs and restrictions reclaimed land to merchants.10 to Tanjong Malang where Palmer Road project did not stop the colonial government Esplanade reclamation site was turned ject carried out in 1822, fill materials on sand exports placed by neighbouring countries, Singapore has turned to technology stands today. The initial plans were more from commissioning more reclamations. into a park known as Queen Elizabeth Walk have traditionally comprised soil to try reduce the amount of sand needed for 22 Second Reclamation at Telok Ayer: ambitious but, in the end, the authorities In August 1931, it unveiled a massive rec- (now Esplanade Park). excavated from inland hills and sand reclamation work. Photo by Ria Tan. Courtesy An Unexpected Tidal Basin decided to scale back their plans due to lamation project at Kallang Basin for the The Kallang Basin and Beach Road dredged from surrounding seabeds. of WildSingapore. budgetary constraints.13 construction of Kallang Airport. Costing reclamations would be the last major land As merchants moved into the reclaimed Work began smoothly at first but in 9 million Straits dollars, it involved the rec- reclamation projects in colonial Singapore. lands of Telok Ayer, commercial activities 1910, problems began to surface when lamation of 339 acres of mangrove swamp It would take another 30 years before any began to expand westward. This led to the dredging operations commenced. When dubbed “the worst mosquito-infested land more new land would be reclaimed from the development of Tanjong Pagar and the engineers discovered that the seawall was on the island”. Due to the complexity and sea. In total, about 300 hectares (3 sq km) growing importance of New Harbour (re- sinking, work was suspended. At the time, cost, the PWD was asked to lead the project. were added during the colonial period. While named Keppel Harbour in 1900) as the main 65 out of the 88 acres of land had been And perhaps to prevent the repetition of this is not a figure to be sniffed at given the port-of-call in Singapore.11 However, many reclaimed and 4,120 feet of the seawall the Telok Ayer Basin fiasco, the PWD first technology available at the time, it would be traders, especially those using smaller ves- erected. However, as the construction of carried out extensive soil surveys. It also dwarfed by the island’s post-Independence sels such as prows and junks, still preferred the seawall had been carried out simul- allowed large areas of the basin to dry out reclamation activities. Between 1965 and to anchor near the Singapore River as it was taneously on both ends, the engineers completely first before filling it.18 2015, Singapore would reclaim an astound- closer to Commercial Square. were left with an incomplete seawall The filling operation started in May ing 13,800 hectares (138 sq km) of land.23 Between 1893 and 1903, the arrival and a gaping 880-ft space in between.14 1932 using a workforce of over 400 coolies. of such vessels mushroomed from 7,062 To salvage the project, engineers When completed in October 1936, the East Coast: The Great Reclamation to 10,974, causing the Singapore River to reinforced the foundations of the seawall construction of the airport had already become congested and polluted. In Octo- and allowed it to settle for the next 10 started.19 Comprising a terminal build- The first major post-Independence recla- ber 1898, a Commission was appointed to years. Thereafter, the unclaimed area ing, two hangars, a circular landing field mation project was the East Coast Recla- address this problem. The report, issued would be converted into a tidal basin for and a slipway for seaplanes, it occupied mation. Dubbed the “Great Reclamation”, in June 1899, recommended that a new anchoring small vessels with the gap almost three quarters of the 339 acres of it added a 1,525-hectare tract along the harbour be built along Raffles Quay, pre- in the seawall serving as an entrance.15 reclaimed land. The remaining land was southeastern coast of the island.24 The cipitating the second reclamation project Construction resumed in 1930 and was set aside for the airport’s future expansion. project was undertaken by the Housing at Telok Ayer.12 completed in 1932.16 By then, the cost of Kallang Airport was declared opened in and Development Board (HDB), one of three

18 19 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / Feature

(Right) The East Coast district of Singapore with Katong in the foreground. Marine Parade stretches from the flyover to the lagoon near Bedok Jetty. The strip parallel to Marine Parade Road with the highrises is land that has been reclaimed from the sea. Photo by Richard W. J. Koh. All rights reserved, Koh, T. (2015). Over Singapore (pp. 140–141). Singapore: Editions Didier Millet. (Below) The East Coast Reclamation, which began in 1966, was carried out over seven phases spanning- some 30 years. The project culminated in the creation of Marina Bay in the mid-2000s. In the background of this photograph taken in 1976 are the beginnings of the Marina Bay reclamation site taking shape, with the east coast in the far distance. © Urban Redevelopment Authority. All rights reserved.

On completion of this phase in 1977, the coast. Parallel to the expressway, a linear reclamation formed a new site known as park was built to provide recreational Marina Centre and a massive lagoon. This space for residents. Today, East Coast Park was followed by another two phases in 1979 comprises 185 hectares of parkland and a – Phases VI and VII – which extended the scenic 15-km beach.32 newly reclaimed foreshores of Tanjong Rhu The other end of the reclaimed land and Telok Ayer Basin to create Marina East around Marina Bay was to provide space and Marina South respectively. Together in time to come for the expansion of the with Marina Centre, these plots formed a city centre. Amazingly, the idea of this new from Toa Payoh. Completed in 1971, the of the new land was reserved for public place in 1963 to reclaim 46 hectares of Pesek Kecil – into a single entity called 660-hectare reclaimed site called Marina downtown core was conceived several site was used for public housing and in- housing and recreational purposes. land for the Jurong Industrial Site. This was Jurong Island. The massive project was City and later Marina Bay.28 decades before the first soaring skyscrap- dustrial development.35 Additionally, the HDB embarked on followed by a string of reclamations in the carried out in four stages at a cost of $6 The total cost of the East Coast pro- ers arose here in the 21st century. Today, Next, the HDB reclaimed a stretch reclamation projects for other government 1970s that added over 2,000 hectares in billion. When completed in 2003, Jurong ject was $613 million. Fill materials were the Marina Bay area has become the new along Singapore’s west coast between agencies. For instance, between 1990 and Jurong and Tuas. These lands were used Island gave Singapore a substantial 3,000 obtained from multiple sources, including downtown with a stunning waterfront set- 1976 and 1978 to create 89 hectares of 1995, it reclaimed about 30 hectares of for the expansion of the industrial estate hectares of new industrial space. Today, Siglap Plain and the hills in Bedok and ting and a mix of office and commercial land for the development of Clementi land in the north and northwest for the as well as for the construction of shipyards Jurong Island is home to more than 100 Tampines,29 where the earth was cut by developments, a mega hotel and casino New Town. Along with it, the West Coast Ministry of Home Affairs to expand the to support the marine sector. In the late petroleum, petrochemical and speciality bucket wheel excavators before being resort, high-rise luxury apartments, and Highway was constructed to link Jurong Woodlands Checkpoint and construct the 80s, the Tuas site was further extended chemical companies.43 transported by a conveyor belt to a jetty off gardens and parkland.33 with the eastern part of the island. The fill new Tuas Checkpoint respectively. The HDB by 650 hectares, and a golf course and a Bedok. There, the earth was loaded onto To make this a reality, further rec- materials for this project were excavated also carried out reclamation works for the park subsequently added to inject some New Lands for Infrastructure and barges and transported to fill the area to lamation was carried out around the bay from Clementi.36 Singapore Tourism Board and Ministry of greenery to an otherwise industrial area.41 Recreation: MPA be reclaimed. The entire operation was between 1990 and 1992 to create an urban This was followed by several other National Development on Pulau Ubin and JTC’s reclamation works also carried out around the clock, with head- waterfront promenade. This 38-hectare reclamation projects: the addition of 44 the Southern Islands.39 extended to the islands off the southwestern The Maritime and Port Authority of Singa- lands constructed at regular intervals off project involved filling up Telok Ayer hectares of land along the coast of Pasir Between 1965 and 2015, the HDB coast. From the late 1980s, Pulau Bukom pore (MPA) – formerly Port of Singapore the reclaimed coast to protect the newly Basin as well as extending Collyer Quay Ris between 1979 and 1980, 277 hectares reclaimed 3,869 hectares of land – roughly and Pulau Busing were enlarged, while Authority or PSA – reclaimed land primarily formed shoreline.30 and the shoreline of Marina South facing of swampland off Punggol between 1983 one third of the total reclaimed land on the Pulau Ayer Merbau, Pulau Seraya and to develop the Port of Singapore and Changi The reclaimed lands were used largely Marina Bay.34 and 1986 as well as the reclamation of island. The rest were overseen by two other Pulau Sakra were merged with the sur- Airport. Its earliest project took place in for commercial and residential purposes. 685 hectares of foreshore and swampland government agencies, the Jurong Town rounding islets to provide new land. Most 1967 when 23 hectares of land were re- In the east coast, housing estates such Other Reclamation Projects by HDB along the northeast coast from Pasir Ris to Corporation (JTC) and the Maritime and of these reclaimed islands were used for claimed to build Singapore’s first container as Marine Parade and Katong sprang up, Seletar between 1985 and 2001.37 Port Authority of Singapore.40 the petrochemical industry.42 terminal at Keppel Harbour. The Tanjong providing accommodation for an estimated While the east coast was being reclaimed, The latter included the reclamation of As the industry grew, JTC embarked Pagar Container Terminal opened in 1971 31 44 100,000 residents. To link the housing the HDB simultaneously carried out 155 hectares from the foreshore of Coney New Lands for Industries: JTC on a reclamation scheme of mega propor- with three container berths. estates as well as the commercial centres reclamation projects elsewhere on the Island and Punggol. Fill materials for these tions in 1993, merging seven southwestern Between 1972 and 1979, some 61 in Siglap, Joo Chiat and Bedok to the city, a island. In 1963, the reclamation of Kallang projects were either imported or obtained The reclamation projects undertaken by islands – Pulau Merlimau, Pulau Ayer acres of foreshore along Pasir Panjang major arterial road, the East Coast Parkway, Basin began, with some 400 hectares of from sites in Woodlands, Tampines, Pasir JTC in the west of the island were mainly Chawan, Pulau Ayer Merbau, Pulau Seraya, were reclaimed by the PSA. This was was constructed along the newly reclaimed its swampland filled using earth taken Ris, Yishun, Seletar and Zhenghua.38 Much for industries. The earliest project took Pulau Sakra, Pulau Pesek and Pulau part of a larger effort to move lighter

20 21 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / Feature

cargo operations from Telok Ayer Basin, respectively.49 The reclamation was carried the smaller Pulau Tekong Kechil island Rochor River and Kallang River to a new over five phases from 1992 to 2004. with Pulau Tekong.53 wharf with warehousing and berthing Like HDB, the MPA has been helping 45 facilities for lighters and coastal vessels. other government agencies to reclaim The Future A decade later, PSA announced additional islands around Singapore. Using dredged reclamation works at Pasir Panjang to materials from ongoing reclamation pro- It is certain that land-scarce Singapore will construct a new container terminal. The jects, which would otherwise be dumped press ahead with reclamation to meet the first two phases were carried out from into the sea, public beaches and recreational demands of its growing population in the 1993 to 1999.46 In June 2015, reclamation waterfronts were created at the foreshore foreseeable future. In the 2013 Land Use works under the final two phases were of the Southern Islands. On St John’s Plan, the Ministry of National Develop­ launched and are slated for completion Island, Lazarus Island, Sisters’ Island and ment has noted that there is a need to by the end of 2017.47 Kusu Island, facilities such as landing jet- provide an additional 5,600 hectares of PSA’s reclamation works for Changi ties, chalets, beach shelters and sanitary land by 2030. This is to accommodate the Airport began in 1975 when it super- facilities were built on the reclaimed land.50 expected increase in population, rising vised the reclamation of 745 hectares Over in Sentosa, reclaimed land has been from the present 5.7 million to between of land along Changi coast for the con- used to build hotels and a golf course, and 6.5 and 6.9 million. struction of the airport.48 The adjoining to create new beaches. But there are limits to land reclama- seabed provided the fill material. In MPA also undertook the first recla- tion – the rising cost of imported sand, the 1990, another massive reclamation was mation of Pulau Tekong (formerly known deleterious impact on the ecosystem and carried out for the expansion of Changi as Pulau Tekong Besar). Carried out the encroachment of shipping lanes and Airport as well as for mixed-use devel- between 1981 and 1985, it reclaimed 540 territorial limits, among others. As an Since the first reclamation works began in 1822, opments in the area. hectares of foreshore using fill materi- aggressive land reclamation programme Singapore’s land area has expanded by almost 25 The plans were updated in 1998 – by als from Changi and imported from is not tenable in the long term, Singapore percent from 58,150 to 71,910 hectares. The areas which time PSA had been renamed MPA neighbouring countries.51 The enlarged is looking at other ways of maximising its shaded in pink indicate how much land has been reclaimed thus far. The areas in red show possible – to reclaim over 2,000 hectares of land island was subsequently used by the land space; this includes the development plans for future reclamation and indicate how much at Changi East. About 820 hectares were Ministry of Defence as a training site for of reserve land, intensifying land usage in of the island’s original coastline may change by 2030 allocated for the development of a fourth the military.52 In 2000, another reclama- new developments, and reusing and rezon- if these plans come to fruition. Map source: https:// terminal and a third runway, while 125 tion effort to enlarge Pulau Tekong by a ing old industrial areas and golf courses for blogs.ntu.edu.sg/hp331-2014-10/?page_id=7 hectares and 639 hectares were reserved further 3,310 hectares was approved. more productive purposes.54 for the Changi Naval Base and industries Overseen by the HDB, it involved merging

Harbour improvement scheme. (1904, October 22). The p. 1; The colonial secretary’s review of the year 28 Housing and Development Board, 1972, p. 45; Housing Reclamation project approved. (1984, October 20). The completed. (1972, May 2). New Nation, p. 3. Retrieved Notes Straits Times, p. 5. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Dale, improving soil on estates. (1936, October 26). Malaya and Development Board, 1977/78, p. 38; Housing and Straits Times, p. 15. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Chia, from NewspaperSG. 1 Singapore Land Authority. (2016, May 19). Total land area 1999, pp. 18–19. Tribune, p. 21. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Development Board, 1980/81, p. 41; Goh, H. C., & Heng, L. S., et. al. (1988). The coastal environmental profile of 46 Tender for Pasir Panjang terminal. (1992, October of Singapore. Retrieved from Data.gov.sg website; Tan, H. 12 Dobbs, 2003, pp. 10–11; Legislative Council. (1898, October 20 The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser C. K. (2016). Shaping Singapore’s cityscape through Singapore (p. 43). Manila: International Centre for Living 30). The Business Times, p. 3. Retrieved from T. W., et al. (2010). The natural heritage of Singapore (p. 78). 17). The Straits Times, p. 3; The Singapore River. (1899, June (1884–1942), 1 Nov 1934, p. 1; The Straits Times, 12 urban design. In Heng, C. K. (Ed.), 50 years of urban Aquatic Resources. (Call no.: RSING 333.917095957 CHI) NewspaperSG; Singapore. Parliament. Parliamentary Singapore: Prentice Hall. (Call no.: RSING 508.5957 NAT) 14). The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser Jun 1937, p. 10.The Straits Times, 14 Jun 1937, p. 18; planning in Singapore (p. 228). Singapore; New Jersey: 38 Tan, Y. H. (2009, December 20). Punggol renewal. The debates: Official report. (1992, May 29). Reclamation 2 Buckley, C. B. (1984). An anecdotal history of old times (1884–1942), p. 3. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Governor opens airport. (1937, June 13). The Straits World Scientific. (Call no.: RSING 307.1216095957 FIF); Straits Times, p. 51. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; (Pasir Panjang) (Vol. 60, col. 36). Singapore: Govt. Print. in Singapore 1819–1867 (pp. 68, 75). Singapore: Oxford 13 Singapore Harbour. (1902, January 23). The Straits Times, Times, p. 1. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Loo, D. (2005, July 22). Marina Bay the new brand name. Singapore. Parliament. Parliamentary debates: Official Off. (Call no.: RSING 328.5957 SIN) University Press. (Call no.: RSING 959.57 BUC-[HIS]) p. 3; The harbour scheme. (1904, June 7). The Singapore 21 New waterfront scheme may be postponed. (1940, July The Straits Times, p. 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. report. (1997, July 28). Estimates of expenditure for 47 Lim, A. (2015, June 24). Pasir Panjang Terminal’s $3.5b 3 Buckley, 1984, pp. 75, 82–83, 88–89; Urban Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884–1942), p. 3; 22). The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser 29 Housing and Development Board, 1980/81, p. 41; Campbell, the financial year 1st April, 1997 to 31st March, 1998 expansion kicks off. The Straits Times. Retrieved from Redevelopment Authority. (2016, July 28). Boat Quay. Singapore River improvements. (1906, December 13). The (1884–1942), p. 5. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Dorai, W. (1970, June 30). On the waterfront things are moving. The (Vol. 67, col 1123). Singapore: [s.n.]. (Call no.: RSING ProQuest via NLB’s eResources website. Retrieved from Urban Redevelopment Authority website. Straits Times, p. 8. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. F. (2016). South Beach: From Sea to Sky: The Evolution Straits Times, p. 10. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 328.5957 SIN) 48 Biggest land reclamation contract in S-E Asia. (1976, 4 Collyer of Quay fame. (1933, June 29). The Singapore 14 Important Singapore port improvement. (1932, of Beach Road (p. 26). Singapore: South Beach. (Call no.: 30 Housing and Development Board, 1966, pp. 10–11; 39 Housing and Development Board, 1990/91, p. 48; March 4). The Straits Times, p. 15. Retrieved from Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884–1942), p. 88. September 27). The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile RSING 959.57 DOR-[HIS]); Savage, P., & Yeoh, B. S. A. Housing and Development Board, 1967, p. 48; Housing Housing and Development Board, 1994/95, p. 53; NewspaperSG. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Buckley, 1984, p. 689. Advertiser (1884–1942), p. 4; Untitled. (1910, August 17). (2013). Singapore street names: A study of toponymics and Development Board, 1972, p. 45; Housing and Housing and Development Board, 1999/2000, p. 59. 49 'Yes' to reclamation at Sentosa and Changi East. (1990, 5 The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (p. 32). Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Editions. (Call no.: Development Board, 1977/78, p. 38. 40 Government of Singapore. (2017, February 4). November 10). The Straits Times, p. 26. Retrieved from (1884–1942), 29 Jun 1933, p. 88; Buckley, 1984, p. 689; (1884–1942), p. 6; Telok Ayer scheme. (1921, March 23). The RSING 915.9570014 SAV-[TRA]) 31 Campbell, W. (1971, August 8). Where 100,000 will live Cumulative area reclaimed for engineering projects. NewspaperSG. Tyers, R. K. (1993). Ray Tyers' Singapore: Then and now Straits Times, p. 11. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 22 The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser and play on reclaimed East Coast. The Straits Times, p. Retrieved from Data.gov.sg; Chia,1988, p. 41. 50 St. John's Island to become holiday resort. (1976, (pp. 103, 114–115). Singapore: Landmark Books. (Call 15 Singapore harbour: Return to an old idea. (1911, (1884–1942), 22 Jul 1940, p. 5; Mrs McNeice opens 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 41 Singapore. Legislative Assembly. Debates: Official January 23). The Straits Times, p. 13; Ho, R. (1977, April no.: RSING 959.57 TYE-[HIS]) December 15). The Singapore Free Press and Queen Elizabeth Walk & Gardens. (1953, May 31). The 32 The Straits Times, 21 Nov 1983, p. 7; National Parks report. (1963, June 15). Tan Kia Gan, Minister for National 27). 'New' island for Raffles Lighthouse.New Nation, p. 6 The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser Mercantile Advertiser (1884–1942), p. 12. Retrieved Straits Times, p. 5. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Board. (2016, June 28). East Coast Park. Retrieved from Development (Vol 20, cols 1332–1333). Singapore: [s.n.]. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. (1884–1942), 29 Jun 1933, p. 88; Buckley, p. 689. from NewspaperSG; The Straits Times, 23 Mar 1921, 23 Pui, S. K. (1986). 100 years of foreshore reclamation in National Parks Board website. (Call no.: RSING 328.5957 SIN); Chia, 1988, p. 43. 51 Chia,1988, p. 44; Singapore. Parliament. Parliamentary 7 Summary of the week. (1879, August 5). Straits Times p. 11; The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Singapore. 20th International Conference on Coastal 33 Auger, T. (2015). A river transformed: Singapore River 42 Chia, 1988, pp. 43–44. debates: Official report. (1981, February 20). Pulau Overland Journal, p. 1; Teluk Ayer reclamation. (1896, Advertiser (1884–1942), 27 Sep 1932, p. 4. Engineering, ASCE, Taipei, Republic of China (p. 2631). and Marina Bay (pp. 90–91). Singapore: Editions Didier 43 Jurong Town Corporation. (2002). The making of Jurong Tekong Besar (reclamation) (Vol. 40, cols. 289–290). November 12). The Straits Times, p. 2; Teluk Ayer. (1897, June 16 Telok Ayer Basin. (1932, September 24). The Singapore Retrieved from ACSE Library website; Singapore Land Millet. (Call no.: RSING 711.4095957 AUG); Urban Island: The right chemistry (pp. 19, 24, 41, 46, 47). Singapore: Singapore: [s.n.]. (Call no.: RSING 328.5957 SIN) 28). The Straits Times, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884–1942), p. 8. Authority. (2016, May 19). Total land area of Singapore. Redevelopment Authority. (2015). The Marina Bay story. Jurong Town Corporation. (Call no.: RSING 711.5524095957 52 Singapore. Parliament. Parliamentary debates: Official 8 Dale, O. J. (1999). Urban planning in Singapore: Retrieved from NewspaperSG; The Singapore Free Press Retrieved from Data.gov.sg website. Retrieved from Marina Bay website. MAK); Jurong Town Corporation. (2003). Happy birthday: report. (1988, March 28). Reclaimed land at Pulau Transformation of a city (p. 18). Shah Alam, Malaysia: and Mercantile Advertiser (1884–1942), 27 Sep 1932, p. 4. 24 The great land reclamation at East Coast. (1983, November 34 Lee, H. S. (1989, October 3). URA to start selling Marina Commemorating 35 years of JTC Corporation, 1968–2003 Tekong Besar (development plans) (Vol. 50, col. 1495). Oxford University Press. (Call no.: RSING 307.1216 17 Singapore Harbour works. (1919, September 3). The 21). The Straits Times, p. 7. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. South sites in 1992/1993. The Business Times, p. 1. (pp. 19–22). Singapore: Jurong Town Corporation. (Call no.: Singapore: [s.n.]. Call no.: (RSING 328.5957 SIN) DAL C); Dobbs, S. (2003). The Singapore River: A social Straits Times, p. 10. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 25 Housing and Development Board. (1963–). Annual Retrieved from NewspaperSG. RSING 338.095957 HAP); Jurong Town Corporation. (2017, 53 Singapore. Parliament. Parliamentary debates: Official history 1819–2002 (pp. 11–12). Singapore: Singapore 18 Nine million dollar airport opens. (1937, June 13). Sunday report 1966 (pp. 10–11). Singapore: Housing and 35 Housing and Development Board, 1963, p. 43; Housing January 16). Jurong Island. Retrieved from Jurong Town report. (2000, February 22). Reclamation at Pulau Ubin University Press. (Call no.: RSING 959.57 DOB-[HIS]) Tribune (Singapore), p. 1; New airport is on former Development Board. (Call no.: RCLOS 711.4095957 SIN) and Development Board, 1966, p. 46; Housing and Corporation website. and Pulau Tekong (Vol. 71, col. 1049). Singapore: [s.n.]. 9 Picturesque and busy Singapore. (1887, February 7). Straits swamp site. (1937, June 12). The Straits Times, p. 10; Key 26 Yang, L. (2003). Mechanics of the consolidation of a lumpy Development Board, 1966, p. 45. 44 55 acres of land from sea by year's end. (1967, August (Call no.: RSING 328.5957 SIN) Times Weekly Issue, p. 7; Harbour and town improvement. position in sea and air communications. (1937, June 14). soft clay fill, p. 2. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, 36 Housing and Development Board, 1977/78, p. 38. 8). The Straits Times, p. 22; Reclamation of East Lagoon 54 Ministry of National Development. (2013, January). A high (1902, January 7). The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile The Straits Times, p. 18. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. National University of Singapore. Retrieved from 37 Housing and Development Board, 1979/80, p. 34; Land Now Completed. (1968, September 6). The Straits quality living environment for all Singaporeans: Land use Advertiser (1884–1942), p. 3. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 19 Singapore’s civil aerodrome. (1932, June 14). The National University of Singapore website. reclamation off Punggol. (1983, March 5). The Straits Times, p. 24. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Port of plan to support Singapore's future population, pp. 12–14. 10 Page 4 advertisements column 5. (1886, March 5). The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884– 27 Yang, 2003, p.3; Chia, A. (2016, November 16). New Times, p. 17. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Singapore. Singapore Authority. (2017). Our business: terminals. Retrieved from Ministry of Development website. Straits Times, p. 4. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 1942), p. 8; Design and construction of Singapore’s new reclamation method aims to reduce Singapore's reliance Parliament. Parliamentary debates: Official report. Retrieved from PSA Singapore website. 11 Westward ho!. (1891, September 21). The Singapore civil Aerodrome. (1934, November 1). The Singapore on sand. Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved from Channel (1984, October 19). Reclamation at Punggol (Vol. 44, col. 45 Land to be reclaimed for warehouses. (1971, July 31). Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884–1942), p. 3; Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884–1942), NewsAsia website. 2095). Singapore: [s.n.]. (Call no.: RSING 328.5957 SIN); The Straits Times, p. 4; $75m. warehouse project

22 23 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / Feature

(or dialect) groups in the 1980s. The rest in Singapore, the Hokkien string puppet in the head compartment and the rest of of my research material was collected can have up to 19 strings, depending on the the fingers below the head to control the through painstaking fieldwork and personal needs and type of performance. puppet’s movements. The puppeteer is interviews with puppeteers since then. The Hokkien community also has hidden behind the stage set and manipu- Finding the puppeteers, establishing another puppet type known as glove pup- lates the puppet on the stage with only contact, meeting up with them and getting pet (potehi in Hokkien). The glove puppet, his or her arms exposed. Older glove them to disclose closely guarded secrets as the term suggests, is controlled by puppets tend to be smaller, ranging from Chinese of the trade was a mammoth task. To my inserting the hand into the interior of the 25 to 35 cm in length. Newer puppets can surprise, I discovered a wide variety of pup- puppet, with the index finger embedded go up to 40 cm. petry art forms in Singapore, all originating from different parts of southern China. (Facing page) A white-faced villain (白奸) glove puppet, c.1950s. The colour white usually represents a villainous or crafty personality. Photo by Caroline Chia. Puppet Types of Chinese Puppetry (Below) Hainanese rod puppet troupe San Chun Long's performance at the Yan Kit Village Chinese Temple in November 2015. The rods are partially obscured from view by the puppet’s costume. Photo by Jace Tan, Traditional puppet art forms include Haina- National Heritage Board Puppetry Documentation Project 2015/2016. nese rod puppetry (zhangtou mu’ou, 杖头 (Bottom) A Hokkien string puppet performance by Xin Cai Yun (now disbanded) at Serangoon North on 10 April 2010. Photo by Caroline Chia. 木偶) from Hainan island, Hokkien glove puppetry (budaixi, 布袋戏) and string Theatre puppetry (tixian mu’ou, 提线木偶) from southern Fujian, Henghua string pup- Rekindling a Glorious Past petry from Putian and Xianyou in eastern Fujian, Teochew iron-stick puppetry from Chaozhou, and Waijiang string puppetry performed by the Hakka community.1 The opera performances are staged in regional languages (or dialects), which unfortunately make it difficult for the average Singaporean youth to understand and appreciate. Due to the success of the Speak Mandarin Campaign launched by the Chinese puppetry is a tradition that government in 1979, the majority of young Chinese people schooled in modern Singa- is slowly losing ground in Singapore. pore have become unfamiliar with dialects, Caroline Chia tells us why this art which critics say has brought along with it an erosion of indigenous Chinese cultures form should be preserved. and traditions.2 Appreciating Chinese puppet theatre was also a challenge for me but I was for- tunate enough to have learnt Teochew and Hokkien from my parents and grandparents. I also picked up some basic Henghua during my 10-week stay in Putian, China, in 2013. Tossing a puppet into the air to perform a was a popular form of street entertainment junction, I realised that the bundles were somersault, the puppeteer sings at the top for children and the working class. actually miniature puppets garbed in tra- Manipulating a Marionette of his melodious voice, accompanied by the ditional Chinese opera costumes. high-pitched clapping of cymbals and the The Search Begins Since young, I have been exposed to The art of manipulating a puppet takes tresounding striking of drums backstage. Chaozhou, or Teochew opera (Chaoju, 潮剧), years to master but I will briefly explain Unfortunately, the response to this unusual I have always been interested in the forgot- as performances were often staged in the how the different types of puppets are street-side performance at a temple in the ten and unknown, and thus my exploration Jalan Besar neighbourhood where I grew controlled. A Hainanese rod puppet mea- heartlands of Singapore is met with either of Chinese puppetry in Singapore began in up. My maternal grandmother, who hailed sures between 60 and 70 cm and weighs furrowed eyebrows or blank looks, or 2007 – the same year I first encountered from Swatow (now Shantou), a city in the approximately 2 to 3 kg. Each puppet com- young people hurrying past an unwelcome these puppets. While travelling on a bus Chinese province of Guangdong, was an prises a centralised rod connected to the obstruction, their eyes averted or glued to in Tampines one day, I spied through the avid fan of Teochew opera and often regaled head and two thinner rods at the base for their mobile phones. Such a scene would window a small makeshift stage with what her grandchildren with stories from the the puppeteer to manipulate. have been unthinkable half a century ago looked like moving bundles of colourful operas she used to watch as a young girl. The height of the Henghua string when Chinese puppet theatre in Singapore cloth. When the bus stopped at the traffic The cloth puppets left an indelible puppet varies between 80 cm and 1 m. The impression on me and I began to search puppeteer, whilst in a standing position, for information on Chinese puppetry. There manipulates the puppet using the 12 strings Caroline Chia researches on the theatrical forms of the Chinese diaspora in Singapore, was very little material to go by but thank- attached to it. Additional strings can be China, Taiwan and Australia. She is the author of Development of Cantonese Opera in fully, I was able to embark on my initial added to create more intricate and complex Singapore (2013) and co-author of Potehi: Glove Puppet Theatre in Southeast Asia and study by using oral history interviews from movements. Its southern counterpart, the Taiwan (2015). She has worked with the National Heritage Board to document puppetry the National Archives of Singapore. Its Oral Hokkien string puppet, ranges from 60 to art forms in Singapore, and organised the first traditional glove puppetry workshop in History Centre had interviewed a number of 90 cm in height, and has an average of 12 November 2016. Visit her blog at: http://marionettetheatre.blogspot.sg. puppet masters from the different regional strings. According to veteran puppeteers

24 25 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / Feature

Originating from Chaozhou, the aver- specific community who share a common play offering thanksgiving to the deities” Children enjoying a Chinese street puppet show, c. late 1960s. John C Young Collection, courtesy of National age height of the Teochew iron-stick puppet language and cultural kinship. This means (choushenxi, 酬神戏). This suggests that Archives of Singapore. puppet tales is approximately 35 cm whereas older ones that one would not usually expect audiences puppet performances are usually staged were shorter at about 25 cm. The puppet from one dialect group, for example the in temples to celebrate the feast days of Regardless of regional differences, head is made of clay or papier-mâché. Teochews, to watch a Hainanese puppet deities. Puppet theatre is closely associ- the storylines of most Chinese puppet There are three iron sticks attached to the show because of the language barrier. As ated with temples, and invariably, the shows in Singapore are based on Chi- puppet: one to support it and the other two migrant races, differences in language and few troupes that exist today rely on these nese classics set in imperial China, with wooden handles for manipulation. The cultural practices as well as feudal ties to religious institutions for survival. Apart such as A Family of Three Scholars puppeteer sits on a low stool and controls ancestral villages in China were barriers to from temple venues, puppet shows in the (一门三进士) for the Hokkien and the puppet from above. social interaction in the Chinese community past were occasionally held in the homes Teochew communities, Scholar Zhang Although puppet theatre has its roots in the early days of Singapore’s founding. of wealthy businessmen, specially commis- Wenxiu (张文秀) for the Hainanese, in different parts of China and there are vari- sioned to perform for an elder’s birthday and Scholar Wang Zhaorong (王兆荣) ations of the form distinct to each region, it The Transmission of Puppet Theatre or during occasions such as weddings and for the Henghua. The show is always is surprising how these various types have anniversaries. preceded by a ritual during which the been able to coexist and complement one The various puppet types discussed in this In colonial Singapore, temples puppets, which represent celestial another in a small geographical space like article belong to what is known as “tradi- served as social institutions that provided beings such as the Eight Immortals, Singapore. Each puppet type is unique to a tional temple theatre”, or more simply, “a both longtime Chinese settlers and new express thanksgivings to the deity migrants with a sense of spiritual conso- whose feast day is being celebrated. lation when they were far removed from This ritual is important because A string puppet show in Chinatown, 1963. The script is placed in such a way that the puppeteer can read it while manipulating the puppet. Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore. their hometowns in China. Regardless of it allows the sponsors to convey whether they were settlers or migrants, thanksgiving to the deity and in many Chinese immigrants regarded China return, seek the deity’s blessings. as the motherland to which they would After the prelude, the performance return as soon as they had earned enough. takes place. Many stories revolve In the 19th century, travelling by sea around the theme of a scholar – a was a risky venture, with many dying of highly respected figure in imperial pestilence or illness during the perilous China – and the various challenges sea journey before they could arrive at their he encounters before excelling in destination. Those who survived the ordeal them to others in the same trade. Temples ended up in Singapore in 1939. It was the imperial examinations. would express their thanksgiving to the and clan associations, or huiguan (会馆), only in 1947 that Foo Tiang Soon (符祥春, There are also stories that deities, including Mazu, popularly known established in various parts of Southeast 1904–1994?), a renowned musician and depict fictional characters from as Goddess of the Sea. The veneration of Asia also invited puppeteers from the same co-proprietor of San Chun Long, bought Journey to the West (西游记) and Mazu led to the construction of some early hometown or region in China, and assisted the puppets and established the troupe. Records of the Strange (聊斋志异), temples by different dialect groups. For them in the process of emigration. From these examples, we can see that or martial arts characters from example, the Hokkiens established Thian According to oral history records, traditional Chinese puppetry relied heav- Romance of the Three Kingdoms Hock Keng temple at Telok Ayer Street the earliest Hokkien glove puppet troupe ily on compatriot and kinship ties, and that (三国演义) but most have a happy in 1840, while the Teochew community in Singapore was Xin Quan Sheng (新 Singapore was an important nexus in the ending, often marked by a reunion erected the Wak Hai Cheng temple in 1826. 泉胜), which was established in 1895. transmission of these regional traditions. of family members and/or lovers, On the feast day of Mazu, puppet perfor- However, little is known about the troupe that befits the feast day celebrations. mances would be staged in these temples, except that its name was associated with Travelling Theatre a tradition that continues to this day. a box used to store puppets, which was Compatriot ties were essential for the purchased by a carver named Huang The spread of traditional Chinese pup- invited to perform in Malaya, including Chinese sojourner, many of whom were Renshui (黄壬水). A native of Jinmen petry from China to Southeast Asia in the at an amusement park established by penniless men who arrived in Singapore in with his ancestral village in Nan’an, late 19th and early 20th centuries was the Shaw Brothers in Kuala Lumpur. the second half of the 19th century to work southern Fujian, Huang travelled with a partly due to the high demand for pup- According to puppeteer Long Hian Keng as indentured labour, among whom were glove puppet troupe to Siam (Thailand) pet performances in the region. Puppet (龙兴京), a ticketed performance took adventurous spirits looking to make their in 1890. Not long after, he married a troupes, whether already established place in Kuala Lumpur during the 1950s fortune overseas. As it was unimaginable local woman there. When Huang’s eldest back in China or just set up in Singapore, that was very popular with children. As for a person to venture overseas without brother Bingchen passed away in 1907, proved very popular with overseas Chinese there was no Hainanese puppet troupe in first establishing a social network, these Huang relocated to Singapore to take communities in Malaya, Indonesia, Siam Malaysia in the 1970s, San Chun Long was young men often obtained assistance from over his shop, Say Tian Kok (西天国), (Thailand) and Burma (Myanmar). When often invited to stage shows in Hainanese their fellow villagers, whether it was to which specialised in making deity effigies. no local puppet performers were avail- temples and clan associations in Ipoh, borrow money or to seek an introduction Occasionally, Huang also performed as able, a troupe from China or Singapore Penang and Sabah. to relatives living overseas. a puppeteer.3 would travel to these countries to perform, The Teochew puppet troupe, Lao Sai The transmission of puppet theatre Another example of how the puppet where they would stay for weeks or even Bao Feng (老赛宝丰), too, was popular, likewise depended on such compatriot ties trade took root in Southeast Asia was months at a time. These performances especially among Teochew communities between China and Singapore as well as the Hainanese rod puppet troupe, San were mostly sponsored by wealthy Chinese in parts of Southeast Asia. In 1976, its other parts of Southeast Asia. Established Chun Long (三春隆). In 1921, a Hainanese businessmen who yearned for the familiar leader Tay Lee Huat (郑利发) travelled puppet masters who had settled in Sin- puppeteer by the name of Xie Yinlin (谢殷 entertainment of their hometowns. Puppet with his troupe to Tawau, in Sabah, for a gapore for instance, could take on a son, 林) was believed to be the first to bring troupes would also hold performances at performance that was well-received by the younger brother, nephew, or a neighbour rod puppets from Wenchang, Hainan, to temples during the feast days of deities. local Teochew community. Tay claimed that from the same hometown in China, or at Southeast Asia. The rod puppets, possibly Foo Tiang Soon, the co-founder of Lao Sai Bao Feng was the first Teochew least those who spoke the same regional carved by Xie himself, were first brought Hainanese puppet troupe San Chun Long, puppet troupe to have performed in Tawau language, as apprentices, or introduce from Wenchang to Siam, and eventually recalled that his troupe was frequently and Sandakan.

26 27 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / Feature

ing the feast days of deities worshipped at remained in good shape as a result of care- of performances and ageing puppeteers, these sintua, and during such celebrations, ful safeguarding by the puppet troupes. Zhou is adamant about safeguarding this tents with a makeshift puppet stage are When I visited San Chun Long troupe in heritage for as long as he can. usually erected. These instances dem- late 2015, I noticed that the brightly painted Today, traditional Chinese puppet onstrate how religious institutions have faces of the rod puppets appeared more theatre is in danger of being obliterated made adjustments to ensure the survival vibrant compared with the ones I saw in from the cultural landscape. The inability of puppet theatre. some photos in 2012. On further probing, of young Singaporeans to speak dialects I discovered that the puppets had been and the lack of interest in an archaic form Rediscovering Our Heritage repainted in China in 2014. of theatre are some of the biggest chal- When these puppets were sent to lenges that face existing puppet troupes. There have also been efforts by local pup- Hainan for a new coat of paint, Lin Hongwu Many puppet masters despair over the pet masters to conserve and preserve the (林鸿吾), 92, a native of Hainan, was reported decline of this once-glorious trade and puppetry art form in Singapore. I pored to be very surprised when he saw them. the rapidly shrinking audiences who through a number of Henghua opera To the elderly man, it was a joyous “reun- appreciate such entertainment. There is scripts and discovered that they are gener- ion” of sorts. Lin remembered seeing little motivation for troupes to innovate ally longer and more complete, compared similar puppets in Hainan when he was and keep up with the times. with the more condensed scripts found younger. Unfortunately, those puppets Through my continued contact with in China. For example, Beidouxi (北斗戏), were destroyed during the Cultural Revo- the puppeteers, many have expressed their the Northern Dipper Play, a form which lution years between 1966 and 1976.4 With interest in performing outside the confines expresses thanksgiving to the gods for possibly the only known collection of old of the temple and to educate the public protecting the children of the sponsors, is rod puppets in Hainan destroyed, this on this traditional art form. There have performed for two hours in Singapore but last surviving collection of traditional rod been opportunities for puppet troupes to the one I watched in Putian lasted for only puppets in Singapore has become all the perform at new platforms but the scope is 20 minutes using a more simplified script. more valuable. These nearly century-old limited.5 More support, monetary or oth- The Sin Hoe Ping troupe still performs puppets could very well be the oldest erwise, is needed to keep puppet theatre the Northern Dipper Play upon request. examples around. going in modern-day Singapore, but unless Singapore’s warm and humid climate The conservation efforts by mem- young Singaporeans can be convinced is not conducive for the conservation of bers of San Chun Long, particularly the that traditional Chinese puppet theatre puppet artefacts and paraphernalia, espe- current troupe leader, 49-year-old Zhou is not “uncool” and old-fashioned, there cially since there is a lack of know-how Jingwen (周经文), who is passionate about is imminent danger of losing yet another A Hokkien glove puppet performance by Shuang Neng Feng troupe at Jiu Xuan Temple on 30 March 2010. Photo by Caroline Chia. in protecting these items. Although many preserving the puppets and the traditions part of our rich heritage. precious artefacts have been ­damaged due his elders left him, is highly commendable. In Singapore, local puppet troupes the troupes included De Yue Lou (得月 devotees from other dialect groups. The to poor conservation practices, some have Despite the sharp decline in the number have also received praise from their 楼), Shuang Sai Le (双赛乐), Feng Huang chairman of the temple, Koh Chee Gong, respective communities. Lee Chye Ee Ting (凤凰亭), Xin De Yue (新得月), and is not a Hainanese, but a Cantonese. To 和平 Chua, C.H. (Interviewer). (1988, January 19). Oral history (李载饴, 1919–1991), the troupe leader of He Ping ( ). The He Ping troupe was ensure their continued survival, temples Notes References interview with Ng Yew Kian [Transcript of Recording the Hokkien troupe Jit Guat Sin (日月星), the predecessor of Sin Hoe Ping (新和 have welcomed devotees from other dia- 1 The term “Henghua” is a transliteration of “Xinghua” Books No. 000874/04/01, pp. 3–8]. Retrieved from National recalled the occasional douxi (斗戏), or 平), currently the last existing Henghua lect communities. as Putian city and Xianyou county were previously Kraus, R. C. (2012). The cultural revolution: A very short Archives of Singapore website. “competitive show”, between his troupe puppet troupe in Singapore. Another aspect that is distinct to administered under the Xinghua area. introduction. New York: Oxford University Press. (Call Chua, C.H. (Interviewer). (1988, May 28). Oral history 2 The Speak Mandarin Campaign was launched by no.: 951.056 KRA) and Lao Chuan Ann (老泉安), another Singapore is the proliferation of sintua interview with Tay Lee Huat [Transcript of Recording then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew on 7 September 《 华 人 、华 语 、华 文 》[Mandarin: The Chinese connection]. No. 000893/09/01, pp. 5–6]. Retrieved from National 神坛 well-known Hokkien troupe back then. On Cross-cultural Influences (or shentan, , translated as “house- 1979 with the objective of improving communication (2000). 新加坡: 推广华语理事会. (Call no.: RSING Archives of Singapore website. one memorable occasion, the two troupes hold shrine”) and spirit mediums known and understanding among Chinese Singaporeans, Chinese 306.4495957 MAN) Chua, S. B. (Interviewer). (1988, June 6). Oral history were invited to pit their skills to prove who Although Chinese puppetry originated as tangki (or jitong, 乩童), with the latter and to create a Mandarin-speaking environment interview with Lee Chye Ee [Transcript of Recording were the more accomplished puppeteers. from China, the different regional forms sometimes involving devotees from dif- conducive to the successful implementation of the Book chapter No. 000936/10/03, pp. 24–26]. Retrieved from National bilingual education programme. Chia, C. (2015). Potehi in Singapore, survival and change. In Archives of Singapore website. Both troupes gave their best, which have adapted in various ways so that we ferent dialect groups as well as some 3 It is not possible to ascertain if Huang Renshui K. Fushiki & R. Ruizendaal (Eds.), Potehi: Glove puppet Wang, Z. C. (Interviewer). (1988, January 16). Oral history included singing, complex manipulation can now proudly claim a puppetry tradi- non-Chinese. When a spirit medium performed as a puppeteer with the Xin Quan Sheng theatre in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. Taiwan: Taiyuan interview with Foo Tiang Soon [Transcript of Recording techniques and story presentation. Lao tion that is uniquely multicultural and goes into a trance, the deity is believed troupe or with another troupe. Publishing. (Not available in NLB holdings.) No. 000875/03/01, pp. 23–24, 27]. Retrieved from Chuan Ann performed Li Shiming Roam- Singaporean, tempered with mutual re- to have possessed the medium, endowing 4 The Cultural Revolution in China – also known National Archives of Singapore website. as the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution – Journal article ing the Underworld (李世民游地府), and to spect for each dialect group’s culture and the latter with powers to heal the sick. Wang, Z. C. (Interviewer). (1987, December 15). Oral history launched by Mao Zedong, then chairman of the Ruizendaal, R. (1990). A discovery in Fujian province: interview with Long Hian Keng [Transcript of Recording No. make the performance more realistic, the traditions. Although the various puppet The devotees usually consult the spirit Communist Party, began in May 1966 and lasted Iron-stick puppet theatre. CHIME: Newsletter of the 000859/06/02, p. 18]. Retrieved from National Archives of troupe used various props to portray the theatre forms still cater mainly to their mediums on matters relating to health, until his death in 1976. This revolution mainly European Foundation for Chinese Music Research, 2, Singapore website. 18 levels of hell. Jit Guat Sin performed own communities and temples, some finance or spirituality, and occasionally the targeted the arts and popular beliefs. See Kraus, 28-42. (Not available in NLB holdings.) Huang Feihu Retaliating Against the Five significant changes have taken place. future. These spirit mediums sometimes R. C. (2012). The cultural revolution: A very short Personal interviews introduction. New York: Oxford University Press. Unpublished theses Chia, C. (Interviewer). (2015, November 26). Personal Hurdles (黄飞虎反五关) with a splendid In November 2015, for instance, hand out sweets, red-dyed eggs and other (Call no.: 951.056 KRA) Teh, S. H. (2004). 《新加坡海南杖头木偶－三春隆木偶班个 interview with Zhou Jingwen. display of acrobatic skills that showcased San Chun Long was invited to perform “auspicious” food items that are believed 5 In 2014, for instance, I recommended Pang Tong 案研究》 [Hainanese rod puppet in Singapore – A case Chia, C. (Interviewer). (2015, November 28). Personal the puppeteers’ consummate control of at the Yan Kit Village Chinese Temple in to bestow blessings on whomever receives Teng from the Tien Heng Kang troupe (新兴港琼南 study of San Chun Long puppet troupe]. Honours thesis, interview with Zhou Jingwen. the marionettes. Such competitive shows celebration of Shui Wei Sheng Niang’s them. Despite the advances made by 剧社) to Artsolute, a social group that works with National University of Singapore. Chia, C. (Interviewer). (2016, April 29). Personal interview youths to participate in community development Chia, C. (2016). The interaction of oral and literate practices were common in the 1950s. (水尾圣娘, literally translated as “God- modern medicine, this form of alterna- with Tan Siew Keow. and cultural exchange programmes through in Singaporean Chinese temple theatre. Doctoral Chia, C. (Interviewer). (2016, November 27). Personal Although the Henghua community dess of the Lower Stream”) feast day. tive healing is still sought after by some the arts. At the time, Artsolute was looking for thesis, University of Melbourne. interview with Tina Quek Tina. was a minority group, its dominance of the Founded by the Hainanese community in Singaporeans. a puppeteer in traditional Chinese puppetry Li, Z. (Interviewer). (2015, June 8). Personal interview with Chinese puppetry art scene in Singapore 1939, the temple was originally located In a way, the existence of spirit medi- for a cultural exchange trip to Brunei. In 2016, I Oral history interviews Goh Swee Theng. in the mid-20th century was evidenced in a Hainanese enclave known as Yan Kit ums and sintua have partly contributed introduced the Teochew puppet and opera troupe Chiang, C. (Interviewer). (1982, February 17). Oral history Sin Ee Lye Heng to Lepark, organiser of “Getai Soul interview with Ng Yew Kian [Transcript of Recording No. by the large numbers of puppet troupes village across the road from its current to the survival of puppet theatre. Puppet 2016”, Singapore’s first soul music festival. The 000158/10/04, p. 43]. Retrieved from National Archives of that emerged during its peak. Some of location. Today, the temple is visited by troupes are often invited to perform dur- two-day event was held at Pearl’s Hill. Singapore website.

28 29 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / Feature

If the tides are high a decomposition of animal matter These platforms of living rock were usually well as Donax canniformis, a fibrous shrub It never will appear, carried on in a gigantic scale… If hidden under the waves, too deep to be used to weave these traps.8 That little winking island malaria is produced from animal visible but high enough to scrape or worse, Both etymologies are apt; fishermen Not very far from here; decomposition on land, and we have sunder a stray hull. visited (and still frequent) these reefs to set a similar decomposition at sea, I But from the mid-19th century, a few traps weighed down by coral chunks and But if the tides are low think I am entitled to make my first toponyms began to emerge, as the words checked at regular intervals for stingrays And mud-flats stretch a mile, deduction, that wherever a coral reef and worlds of native pilots, boatmen and and groupers. And these reefs indeed rise The little island rises is exposed at low tide, decomposition islanders who knew these waters for gen- with the falling tide “to stretch out before To take the sun awhile. will go on to an extent proportioned to erations by heart filtered into the mental, one”, forming an expanse of land, a shim- – Margaret Leong1 the size of the reef and that malaria and eventually printed, charts of foreign mer of sand and shoal where minutes ago will be the result.”3 cartographers to give shape and signifi- there was bare sea. But in an hour or two, cance to these submarine forms. this ephemeral landscape will vanish once For all his misplaced suspicions, Dr An 1849 map is perhaps the first more as the waters return to shield the reef Little’s initial encounters with Blakang to mark “Ter Pempang”, west of Pulau and its builders from sun and sight. Mati’s pristine reefs betrayed more than a Bukom, which lies off the southern coast Intriguingly, the 1849 map indicated In 1847, Dr Robert Little, a British surgeon, tinge of admiration for their alien beauty. of Singapore. “Ter” is short for terumbu, the presence of a hut on Terumbu Pem- set off on a series of tours to Singapore’s He was moved to write: Malay for a reef that is visible only during pang as well as another on Pulo Pandan. southern islands, beginning with the isle low tide. It is less clear what “Pempang” These huts must have been set above the iknown as Pulau Blakang Mati (present-day “At low water spring tides, the whole refers to. One possibility is that pampang highest tide point, perhaps as shelters for Sentosa2). His journeys were no joyrides; the of these reefs are uncovered, so means “to stretch out before one”.7 Another fishermen from nearby islands. No trace of good doctor was investigating the source of that by lying on the reef, one can Malay word, bemban, denotes a fish trap as any such structures survive today; instead, “remittent fever” – a form of malaria – that look down into a depth of from 4 to 9 had killed some three-fourths of the men fathoms, like as a school boy does on (Facing page) Living reefs off Serapong on the northeast coast of Sentosa. Photo taken by Ria Tan on 23 posted to a signal station at Blakang Mati. a wall and looks at the objects below, May 2011. Courtesy of WildSingapore. The station was indispensable to navigation which here are living corals of many (Below) This painting from the 1830s depicts a cluster of wooden houses perched on stilts on Pulau Brani. in the straits, but as no men were willing to and wondrous shapes, with tints so In the 1960s, residents were asked to resettle on mainland Singapore to make way for the construction of serve at the ill-fated site, it was abandoned beautiful that nothing on earth can a naval base. Courtesy of the National Museum of Singapore, National Heritage Board. in 1845. equal them. While the lovely coral (Bottom) Two boys playing with their pet roosters in a Malay kampong on Pulau Seking, an offshore island that is now part of Pulau Semakau, 1983. Quek Tiong Swee Collection, courtesy of National In the mid-19th century, malarial fever fish, vying with their abodes in the Archives of Singapore. was often blamed on miasma or bad air liveliness of their colours, are to be that emanated from decaying vegetation seen peeping out of every crevice, in swamps or, in the case of Pulau Blakang which at full tide has but a few feet Mati, its dense pineapple plantations. Being of water to cover it.”4 an annual crop, the remains of every harvest were often left to rot; this led to the belief Dr Little hit an epidemiological dead- that the decaying leaves emitted miasmatic end,5 but his expeditions to Blakang Mati, A Survey of Singapore’s Reefs vapours that infected nearby residents. St John’s and Lazarus Islands as well as Dr Little, however, held a different now-forgotten isles such as Brani, Seking, theory, believing that the miasma originated Sakra and Pesek, offered a rare if fleeting from coral reefs. During the 19th century, window to Singapore’s reefs and the com- extensive fringing reefs lined Singapore’s munities who lived off them. southern shores and islands while isolated or patch reefs, known to locals as terumbu Danger at High Water or beting, abounded in the straits. Although the doctor must have been familiar with Singapore’s reefscape posed no medical these habitats, he found cause to regard threat, but these maritime structures them as less a treat than a threat. He were for centuries cause for other mortal explained: concerns. Jan Huyghen van Linschoten, a 16th-century Dutch merchant, warned “Wherever we have coral reefs captains to steer clear of areas “full of exposed at ebb tide we have a great Riffes and shallowes” (reefs and shallows) destruction of coralline polyps, and as they sailed past Pasir Panjang en route to China. The 19th-century English hydrog- The reefs that fringed Singapore’s coastline and rapher James Horsburgh would repeat this Marcus Ng is a freelance writer, editor caution, describing the Singapore Straits and curator interested in biodiversity, islands have served for centuries as maritime as “united by reefs and dangers, mostly ethnobiology and the intersection 6 markers, fishing grounds and even homes for between natural and human histories. covered at high water.” His work includes the book Habitats in The Europeans who first ventured island communities. Marcus Ng rediscovers the Harmony: The Story of Semakau Landfill into the straits had few or no names for stories that lurk beneath the waves. (National Environment Agency, 2009 and the reefs that barred their passage. (One 2012), and two exhibitions at the National exception was Sultan Shoal, now the site of Museum of Singapore: “Balik Pulau: an exquisite lighthouse, which Horsburgh Stories from Singapore’s Islands” and explained was named after a ship of this “Danger and Desire”. name that ran aground on the reef in 1789.)

30 31 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / Feature

The same newspaper report laid bare Today, Sentosa’s surviving coral reefs future discourses on land-use and habitat the fate of some of the reefs and islets off cling to the island’s peripheries: off Sera- conservation in Singapore. Blakang Mati which so beguiled Dr Little pong at its northeast and along Tanjong in the 1840s: “A bigger Sentosa Island Rimau on the northwest, a sliver of natural Shoals of Contention include[s] three other islands: Buran Darat, rocky coastline which guards the colonial- Sarong Island and Pulau Selegu. Terembu era Fort Siloso. Along the mainland, there Pulau Seringat, which was conjoined with [sic] Palawan, formerly a reef off the south- are also fringing reefs along less accessible Lazarus Island (Pulau Sekijang Pelepah) ern coast of Sentosa, has been reclaimed parts of East Coast Park and Tanah Merah, off the southern coast at the turn of the and is now an island called Pulau Palawan.” whose ultimate fate probably hinges on 21st century, offers a glimpse into the

pulo pandan: an island turned reef as a pig pen in 1985, and now forms part Pulo Pandan is now reduced to Terumbu of Jurong Island. Beting Kusah,16 a sand Pandan and forms part of the Cyrene bank off Changi, now lies under the air- Reefs. But in centuries past, Pulo Pandan port tarmacs. In contrast, Beting Bronok loomed much larger, and even stood out (named after an edible sea cucumber) as a landmark in the straits. The island has escaped the extensive reclamation was signposted by Jan Huyghen van that befell nearby Pulau Tekong and was Linschoten in 1596, when the Dutchman designated a Nature Area in 201317 for its described the journey eastward on the rare marine life such as knobbly sea stars, Selat Sembilan (“Straits of Nine Islands”) thorny sea urchins and baler shells. between Pasir Panjang and the present the straits. Up until the mid-1970s, women- Buran Darat, a coral patch named Jurong Island: folk in Pulau Sudong, an island southwest after “a kind of sea-anemone of a light of the Pempang reefs, “regularly collected green colour and eaten by the Chinese”, Terumbu Pempang Laut (one of six adjacent “… running as I said before along sea foodstuffs from the island’s fringing was reclaimed in the late 1990s to create reefs bearing the appellation “Pempang”) by the Ilands on the right hand, reef”,12 some 12 times the size of the island, the Sentosa Cove luxury resort.18 Terumbu hosts a warning beacon, while a large sign and coming by the aforesaid round before the reef was reclaimed in 1977. The Retan Laut, a reef off Pasir Panjang, was on Terumbu Pempang Darat announces Island [Pulau Mesemut Laut22], The living reefs of Cyrene Shoal, off the southwestern coast of Singapore. Photo taken by Ria Tan on women also ventured to a nearby patch reef reclaimed in the 1970s to provide anchor- 22 March 2007. Courtesy of WildSingapore. the presence of buried high voltage cables. on the right at the end of the row to harvest agar agar (gelatinous seaweed), age19 for lighters evicted20 from the Sin- As for Pulo Pandan, there is sign of of Ilands whereby you pass, you gulong (bêche-de-mer) and undok (sea- gapore River and eventually buried under neither hut nor island today. The only clue shall see a small flat Iland [Cyrene target, at least a sinking one – an island Gibson-Hill believed that the island horses). Chew Soo Beng, who documented steel, concrete and cranes, as reported in that a landmass existed in this patch of Shoal], with a few trees, having a that long guarded the western entrance was still extant in the 1820s, when the islanders before their eviction to the the Straits Times in 1995: “Terumbu Retan sea between Pasir Panjang and Bukom white sandy strand, which lieth to Keppel Harbour but which lost over Captain James Franklin marked it as mainland, described a scene that has long Laut on the west coast will be partially is a trio of warning beacons and a ring of east and west, with the mouth of time its land, trees and name. After the Pulo Busing in an 1828 map. “Busing” vanished from the straits: dredged away... What remains of it will be buoys that are not always heeded by ships, ye Straight of Sincapura [Keppel isle vanished, port authorities deemed it a may have been derived from busong, used for port terminal development on the which run aground on the reef every now Harbour], which you shall make shipping hazard and placed lights and signs Malay for “a spit of sand”, but Gibson- “During ebb tide, the outer reaches of west coast.”21 and then.9 There is also no trace of Pulo towards…”23 on the site to prevent collisions.27 Hill suggested that it was more likely a the reef to the west of Pulau Sudong Pandan on modern charts, just a cluster Further insights on this reef are pro- corruption of pusing (“to turn”), as the are completely exposed… Groups of contours marked collectively as the (Above) A portion of J. T. Thomson’s 1846 survey The seashore pandan (Pandanus vided by another doctor, Carl Alexander sight of the island’s shimmering sands of women row their kolek [a small Cyrene Reefs, the largest of which is map of the Strait of Singapore showing the west- tectorius), a native plant associated with Gibson-Hill, the Raffles Museum’s last in the distance was a cue for mariners sea craft] to different parts of the named Terumbu Pandan. ern entrance into the strait. Urban Redevelop- sandy beaches, may have been the tree expatriate director. In 1951, Gibson-Hill set to alter their course towards Keppel exposed portion of the reef to gather ment Authority, courtesy of National Archives that lent its name to Pulo Pandan. By sail to retrace Linschoten’s sailing route Harbour. Certainly, Cyrene Shoal's sea produce… When both the tide and of Singapore. 1848, however, Pulo Pandan had been and determine the fate of the Old Straits significance as a landmark was felt by Low Tide Treasures the sun were low, the gay chatter of (Below) Cyrene Reef is home to a large population of knobbly sea stars. Photo taken on 22 July 2012. denuded of vegetation but gained a new of Singapore, which ran past Pasir Panjang its absence, for Gibson-Hill was vexed the women at work would drift into the Pulo Pandan may be long gone (see box Courtesy of Marcus Ng. toponym,24 as the Singapore Free Press and through Keppel Harbour but fell into as he sailed in the path of Linschoten’s village where the men, excluded from story), but life persists, at least under noted: “Called by the Malays Pulo Pan- disuse in the early 17th century. Cyrene wake and concluded: the offshore merriment, conversed the waves. Early descriptions of Cyrene dan, and by the English Cyrene shoal; Shoal would prove pivotal in his quest, as beneath their favourite pondok [hut]. Shoal’s natural wealth still ring true today, the trees have all disappeared, but aged Gibson-Hill would write of Linschoten’s “There is no doubt that the old The reef was called Terembu Raya for the reef harbours marine biodiversity natives say that there were many trees “small, flat Iland”: route was an easy one to follow, (Big Reef)13 by the fishermen who that makes it, in the words of Ria Tan, a on the reef in former times, hence the coming from the west, so long as set their small fish traps at the edge veteran nature conservationist, the “Chek Malays call it a Pulo or Island.”25 “It is clear that this small sandy there were a few trees on the white, of it.”14 Jawa of the South”. One visitor in the 1960s By the 1890s, whatever remained of island with a clump of trees (probably sandy islet on Cyrene Shoal… The recalled “emerald waters” and “deep the Pulo had vanished, and the Descrip- coconut palms) on it of Linschoten’s absence of the original mark was chasms which in good visibility could rival Lost Reefs tive Dictionary of British Malaya had this account was at the eastern end of very noticeable when I went over the view of the Grand Canyon”.10 Marine to say of it: “[Cyrene] Shoal… presents a Cyrene Shoal, and it undoubtedly Linschoten’s course from Pulau biologists have recorded 37 genera of Pulo Pandan’s slow erosion into the brilliant appearance at low water, being afforded a most valuable mark to Merambong eastward… and one corals and seven seagrass species at Terumbu Pandan reef was probably the covered with live corals and shells, anyone sailing through the two felt that the disappearance of the Cyrene Shoal, as well as large numbers of natural consequence of storms and cur- many of the most brilliant colours. It straits. The sandy strand survived trees might have been one of the knobbly sea stars (Protoreaster nodosus) rents that swamped the erstwhile island. is a favourite hunting ground for con- until the last century, but apparently factors that led to the final disuse and signs of endangered dugongs on the Conversely, other local reefs have been chologists.”26 by 1797 it boasted only one tree. of this route.”29 reef’s seagrass bed.11 shaped by man to become new islands, Pulo Pandan presents for histori- Presumably it was slowly breaking Such natural bounty would have been coves and port terminals. South of Ju- ans and cartographers, if not a shifting up during this period.”28 familiar to the people who once dwelled in rong, Terumbu Pesek was reclaimed15

32 33 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / Feature possibilities that face Singapore’s reefs. In the 1970s, Pulau Rengit was ear- marine conservation movement, which “The small team that landed on the I felt great regret that very few in 1999 at Pulau Semakau, got into the Where the island now stands was once a marked as a “holiday island”.34 Some 12.2 had been calling for the protection of local reef was there… [to] collect, record Singaporeans had experienced the game by launching guided walks to the tidal islet known as Pulau Rengit, which hectares of reef were reclaimed, but little reefs since the early 1990s. But little could and preserve as many specimens beauty of this reef. It remains to this island’s reef flat.41 refers to either a sandfly or a freshwa- else took place until the late 1990s when be done other than a salvage operation as physically possible before it was day the precious but private memory Rather fittingly, Singapore’s first ter shell.30 Another account from 1923, the government approved a more ambi- by the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity finally lost to land reclamation. The of very few.”38 marine park was carved out on the door- however, cites the alternate moniker of tious programme to reclaim 34 hectares Research (RMBR; now Lee Kong Chian reef revealed rather surprising step of Pulau Seringat, the former reef Pulau Ringgit to explain that the islet of foreshore, seabed and reefs, and link up Natural History Museum) to collect and finds – numerous Neptune cups [a In 2001, when word got out that Chek that had fermented the movement to was “named by reason of the fact that Rengit with St John’s and Lazarus islands document the reef’s marine life. The rare sponge], cushion stars, giant Jawa at Pulau Ubin was slated for reclama- save Chek Jawa. Unveiled on 12 July 2014, the ninety or more Malay fishermen and to form a “canal-laced marine village with experience, however, would prove to be clams, crabs, octopus, fish, sea tion by year-end, the marine conservation Sisters’ Islands Marine Park includes the the one Chinese store-keeper who sup- recreational and mooring facilities, and a catalyst that shaped subsequent con- stars and colourful corals including community felt, as Sivasothi put it, that twin Sisters’ Islands as well as reefs at plies their needs, pay a nominal annual waterfront housing”.35 servation campaigns. N Sivasothi, then spectacularly red sea fans…37 When “this time, we could do better”. They mobi- St John’s Island and Pulau Tekukor. The rent of a dollar for the privilege of living The impending loss36 of Pulau Rengit a RMBR research officer who took part I saw the Pulau Seringat reefs before lised, with the help of the then burgeoning marine park, which hosts regular inter- a congested existence there”.31 was mourned by Singapore’s nascent in the salvage, recalled: their reclamation in August 1997, internet, to invite Singaporeans to a “last tidal walks and offers a dive trail for more Within a decade, however, most of the chance to see” Chek Jawa and its diverse intrepid explorers, has played no small islanders would leave their home, which a marine life. The memory and lessons of part in rekindling a sense of the sea, and 1935 article described as “an almost barren, Pulau Seringat were still fresh and the by extension a sense of islandness, which low-lying stretch of coral”. The same report experience prompted the museum to initiate many Singaporeans have probably lost (or added of the residents: “They have now been large-scale walks at Chek Jawa to share never learned) as the straits retreated42 moved – there are only a few dozen of them the beauty and biodiversity of this shore and bulldozers and dredgers moved in left – to a neighbouring islet which suffers with the public. to create land for a growing population. less from the inundations of high tides.”32 Teams of volunteers led walks that To board a ferry or bumboat bound It would appear that the few families that exposed Chek Jawa to thousands of visi- for the southern islands and reefs43 from remained on Pulau Rengit eventually all tors, while press coverage of the campaign the pier at Marina South is to tread back moved to the mainland. Tijah bte Awang, gave rise to broad-based appeals for the in time and catch sight of the mainland a villager born on Pulau Rengit, recalled: preservation of the coastal wetland. At the as sailors and sojourners once beheld eleventh hour, on 20 December 2001, the it – a strip of promised land sandwiched “When I was growing up on Pulau government announced a 10-year defer- between the sky and seething sea. Seringat, which some called Pulau ment of reclamation for Chek Jawa. It is also a trip, not to the southern Rengit, I remember it as one with margins of an island nation, but to where no trees – just land, with one small To Sea, to See Singapore first took shape and entered the mosque surrounded by 15 houses… imagination as an entity, an island at the our homes were built on stilts and The zeitgeist of marine conservation junction of empires that first enthralled a placed side by side facing the sea… that accompanied Chek Jawa persisted Palembang prince and later an employee I remember in 1930, our island was in the decade that followed. Instead of of a British trading company – a point of not safe. The authorities feared that bulldozers, Chek Jawa received a coastal departure from landlocked vistas to an the sea would swallow up the island boardwalk and continues to host popular archipelago of reefs, shoals and islands, (Above) Smooth ribbon seagrass (Cymodocea 39 during extreme high tide or during rotundata) growing in abundance at the seagrass intertidal walks. Riding on this wave of a landscape that remains to this day in a storm… I can’t remember exactly lagoon at Chek Jawa. Photo taken by Ria Tan on 27 interest in the marine environment, avid flux and in thrall to the tides. when we left Pulau Seringat. I may November 2004. Courtesy of WildSingapore. divers began offering guided dive tours have been in my teens when our (Right) High tide at the Chek Jawa boardwalk. Photo of the reefs off Pulau Hantu (south of family made the permanent shift to taken by Ria Tan on 19 October 2008. Courtesy of Pulau Bukom) from 2003.40 Two years WildSingapore. Lazarus Island.”33 later, even Singapore’s only landfill, built

East Indies, China, Australia, and the interjacent ports 14 Chew, S. B. (1982). Fishermen in flats (p. 36). Clayton, 21 Tan, H. Y. (1995, November 22). Singapore islands get Raffles Museum,3, p.167. (Call no.: RCLOS 959.51 38 N. Sivasothi. (2002, April). Chek Jawa, Pulau Ubin: Notes of Africa and South America (Vol.2)(p. 266). London: W. Vic.: Centre of Southeast Asian Studies, Monash new names with reclamation. The Straits Times, p. 3. BOG-[RFL]) From research to education. ALUMNUS. Retrieved 1 The island Margaret Leong described is really a reef, as it H. Allen & Co. Retrieved from BookSG. University. (Call no.: RSING 301.4443095957 CHE) Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 29 Gibson-Hill, May 1954, pp. 168–185. from National University of Singapore website. vanishes at high tide. See Leong, M. (2011). Winking island 7 Winstedt, R. (1964). A practical modern Malay-English 15 Work to start on $13m pig project island. (1985, 22 Now part of Jurong Island. 30 Haughton, 1889, p. 79. 39 It should be noted that Chek Jawa, along with Pulau (p. 16). In S. Lim & A. Poon. (Eds.), The ice ball man and other dictionary (p. 133). Kuala Lumpur; Singapore: Marican. April 18). The Straits Times, p. 9. Retrieved from 23 As quoted and annotated by Carl Alexander Gibson-Hill. 31 St. John’s Island. (1923, April 2). The Singapore Free Hantu and the Pempang reefs, is still earmarked for poems. Singapore: Ethos Books. (Call no.: JRSING 811 LEO) (Call no.: RSING Malay 499.230321 WIN) NewspaperSG. See Gibson-Hill, C. A. (1954, May). Singapore: Notes on Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884–1942), p. 12. possible eventual reclamation in Singapore’s 2013 2 Renamed Sentosa in 1970, the island’s ominous Malay 8 Burkill, I. H. (2002). A dictionary of the economic 16 Haughton, H. T. (1889), Notes on names of places in the history of the Old Strait, 1580–1850. Journal of the Retrieved from NewspaperSG. land-use Master Plan. See What shores will Singapore name, literally “behind dead island”, was thought to have products of the Malay Peninsula (Vol. 1) (p. 868). Kuala the island of Singapore and its Vicinity. Journal of Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 27 (1 (165)), 32 St John’s Island. (1935, June 1). The Straits Times, p. 13. lose in 7-million population plan? (2013, January 31). stemmed from its pestilential reputation. However, the Lumpur, Malaysia: Ministry of Agriculture, Malaysia. (Call the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 20, 163–214, pp. 167–168. Retrieved from JSTOR via NLB’s Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Retrieved from Wild Shores of Singapore website. toponym Blacan Mati was already in use by the 1600s. no.: RSEA 634.9095951 BUR); Winstedt, 1964, p. 25. p. 76. Retrieved from JSTOR via NLB’s eResources eResources website: http://www.eresources.nlb.gov.sg/ 33 Island Nation Project. (2015–2016). From one island to 40 Goh, J. (2010). About us [Web blog]. Retrieved from The 3 Little, R. (1848). On coral reefs as a cause of the fever 9 Taiwan trawler runs aground (1983, June 30). The website: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/; Beting refers 24 Carl Alexander Gibson-Hill records that the name another. Retrieved from Island Nation Project website. Hantu Bloggers website. of the islands near Singapore. In J. R. Logan, (Ed.). The Straits Times, p. 15; Ferry with 40 aboard runs aground. to a partially submerged sand bank, while kusah was “Cyrene’s Reef” first appeared in a map by Captain (Note: The “Island Nation” exhibition was held at the 41 Ng, M. F. C. (2009). Habitats in harmony: The story of Journal of the Indian Archipelago and Eastern Asia, 2, (1998, December 6). The Straits Times, p. 27. Retrieved thought to be a corruption of susah, meaning “difficult”. Daniel Ross in 1830. In Greek mythology, Cyrene was a National Library Building from 2–27 June 2015.) Semakau Landfill. Singapore: National Environment 572–599, p. 599. (Microfilm no.: NL 25790) from NewspaperSG. 17 Tan, W. (2013, February 1). Three more nature areas nymph who was a fierce huntress and gave her name 34 Reef will become holiday island by October. (1976, August Agency. (Call no.: RSING 333.95095957 NG) 4 Little, 1848, p. 585. 10 Destroying Singapore’s undersea treasures. (1968, to be conserved under land use plan. Today. Retrieved to a city in Libya. 27). New Nation, p. 4. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 42 Until the 1970s, the sea lapped the edges of familiar places 5 The mystery was solved only in 1886 when a French April 4). The Straits Times, p. 10. Retrieved from from Factiva via NLB’s eResources website: http:// 25 Untitled. (1848, November 2). The Singapore Free Press 35 Singapore. Parliament. Official reports – such as East Coast Road, Beach Road, Katong, Bedok, surgeon, Charles Louis Alphonse Laveran, discovered NewspaperSG. eresources.nlb.gov.sg/ and Mercantile Advertiser (1835–1869), p. 3. Retrieved Parliamentary debates (Hansard). (1996, October 28). the Esplanade and Collyer Quay, before the creation of microscopic parasites in the blood of malaria victims. 11 Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum. (2017). Cyrene 18 Haughton, 1889, p. 77; National Library Board. (2016). from NewspaperSG. Reclamation (Southern Islands). (Vol 66, col. 840). districts such as Marina Bay and Marine Parade. It took another decade before British doctor Ronald Reef. Retrieved from The DNA of Singapore website. Sentosa Cove written by Chew, Valerie. Retrieved from 26 Dennys, N. B. (1894). Descriptive dictionary of British Retrieved from Parliament of Singapore website. 43 For a recent musing on exploring local reefs, see Ross confirmed that mosquitoes were the vectors that 12 Walter, M. A. H. B., & Riaz Hassan (1977). An island Singapore Infopedia. Malaya (p. 99). London: London and China Telegraph. 36 Targeting nature lovers and the well-heeled. (2006, Torame, J. (2016). Notes on some outlying reefs and transmitted the microbes. community in Singapore: A characterization of 19 Lighters’ new mooring site. (1983, May 19). The Straits (Microfilm nos.: NL 7464, NL 25454) December 1). The Straits Times, p. 6. Retrieved from islands of Singapore. Mynah Magazine, 1. Retrieved 6 Untitled. (1848, November 2). The Singapore Free a marginal society (p. 22). Singapore: Chopmen Times, p. 17. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 27 Legislative Council. (1902, December 13). The Straits NewspaperSG. from Indiegogo website. Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1835–1869), p. 1. Enterprises. (Call no.: RSING 301.4443 WAL) 20 Low, A., & Wong, K. C. (1984, December 11). The old Times, p. 5. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 37 N. Sivasothi. (2005, June). The legacy of Pulau Seringat. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Horsburgh, J. (1841). 13 Terumbu Raya still exists, and lies between Pulau men of the sea. The Straits Times, p. 18. Retrieved from 28 Gibson-Hill, C. A. (1957, December). Singapore Old Raffles Museum Newsletter, 4, p. 3. (Call no.: RSING India Directory, or, directions for sailing to and from the Sudong and Pulau Semakau. NewspaperSG. Strait & New Harbour, 1300–1870. Memoirs of the 069.095957 RMN)

34 35 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / Feature

Hidayah Amin is an award-winning author who has written several books and academic articles, and presented at international conferences. She has also produced more than 70 documentaries, audio resources and short films. Hidayah blogs at https://hida-amin.blogspot.sg/

Gedung Kuning1, at No. 73 Sultan Gate, with its regal yellow walls and stone eagles Gedung perched on the main gate, was the mansion that was originally built for a bendahara or prime minister. When I was growing up in gthe house, I never once thought of my family as being privileged or different in any way. When the government acquired my child- hood home in 1999, it began to dawn on me Memories of a Malay Childhood (Facing page) Haji Yusoff posing proudly with his Kuning that having been born in Gedung Kuning and classic Austin Six at the entrance of Gedung Kuning raised in Haji Yusoff’s family, I was part of in 1939. Courtesy of Hidayah Amin. an important heritage. (Above) A 1930s painted portrait of the author’s Gedung Kuning, or the “Yellow Mansion”, was once the home Haji Yusoff bin Haji Mohamed Noor was maternal great-grandfather, Haji Yusoff bin Haji my moyang, or maternal great-grandfather, Mohamed Noor, wearing a songkok, a traditional cap of Tengku Mahmud, a Malay prince. Hidayah Amin shares made of velvet worn by Malay men, and a Western- and the patriarch of Gedung Kuning, hav- style jacket. Courtesy of Hidayah Amin. anecdotes from her childhood years growing up in the house. ing bought the mansion in 1912. As he had passed on before I was born, I never had the opportunity to meet the man with his Regency style of architecture that the sharp nose, white moustache and gentle British brought with them from India. Apart eyes that seemed to gaze directly into mine from the Istana next door, there is no other every time I passed by his portrait in the building like it in Kampong Glam. Rumour living room. has it that the Istana and Gedung Kuning Haji Yusoff was a man who loved were designed by George Coleman, Singa- his family only second to God. He was a pore’s first and, for many years, its finest respected merchant who later became architect, famous for the palatial mansions a pillar of the Malay community in early he designed for rich merchants and gov- Singapore. Gedung Kuning is as regal as ernment officials in the early days of the its name and owner – a testament to Haji settlement. Although this has never been Yusoff’s legacy – and I am proud to share substantiated, the two buildings certainly his legacy with you. Here are two extracts show evidence of his influence. from my book, Gedung Kuning: Memories It was Tengku Mahmud who painted of a Malay Childhood. the house yellow – the colour of royalty in traditional Malay society – which is how it No. 73 Sultan Gate came by its name, Gedung Kuning (literally “Yellow Mansion”). But family fortunes Rumahku, syurgaku, my house, my para- change and Tengku Mahmud’s father, Sul- dise. To many of us, the home is definitely tan Ali, mortgaged the house to an Indian where the heart is and Gedung Kuning, moneylender to pay his debts. This was at No. 73 Sultan Gate, Kampong Glam, around the end of the 19th century and it is was such a home to four generations of here that my story properly begins. the Haji Yusoff family. Built in the mid- As a boy growing up in his father’s 19th century, Gedung Kuning was once house in the vicinity of today’s Kandahar the home of a prince – Tengku Mahmud Street, Haji Yusoff would have passed by – grandson of Sultan Hussein of Johor Gedung Kuning everyday, no doubt looking with whom Sir Stamford Raffles of the up in awe at the majestic mansion. Later, East India Company negotiated a treaty in adult life, when he learned that Gedung to establish a trading post on Singapore Kuning was mortgaged to an Indian mon- island back in 1819, thus setting in motion eylender, he must have been disappointed events that would lead to the creation of at how easily the Malay royal family “gave” modern-day Singapore. away a significant piece of their history to Gedung Kuning was, and remains, people regarded locally as “foreigners”. a grand and stately affair, symmetrical in An industrious young man on the way plan with classical detailing in the Anglo- up in life with dreams, Haji Yusoff strongly

36 37 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / Feature

Fasting was such a big deal for us kids. Ramadan was not complete without were people from all walks of life. Some Fasting made us feel grown-up. the daily trips to the Sultan Mosque to collect of them looked rather poor and the bubur Wak Lah [my uncle, Abdullah] used bubur masjid (mosque porridge). Almost was probably their only meal for the day. to tell me how Haji Yusoff emphasised the all the mosques in Singapore prepared I remember when I was preparing food at importance of fasting and prayers to his the porridge which they gave out freely to a homeless shelter in Washington D.C., I grandchildren. The strict Haji Yusoff, who the public. I remember queuing with Wak thought of bubur masjid. How good it would attended the Sultan Mosque daily, some- Lah, bringing two plastic containers for the be if we could serve bubur masjid during times splashed water on his grandchildren helper at the mosque to fill up with delicious other months as well! to wake them up for morning prayers. porridge. The bubur was so popular that if Our next destination after collecting Since the girls of Gedung Kuning were you did not queue up early, you might not bubur at the Sultan Mosque was Bussorah more obedient, they were never given the be able to get it. The simple porridge of Street, the street leading up to the front “water treatment”. Sometimes, Haji Yusoff rice, little morsels of meat and nuts, was of the mosque. The street was lined with used his walking stick to tap the legs of so tasty that sometimes non-Muslims shophouses facing each other, in front of the sleeping boys to wake them up. He would also stand in queue. In the queue which were makeshift tents, sheltering had a strict ruling during Ramadan; the grandchildren who did not fast could not (Left) The Ramadan Charity sit at the dining table with the rest of the Fair along Jalan Sultan and family. Forgoing a seat at the long table full Bussorah Street in 1988. of delicious food and dessert was indeed a Sultan Mosque is in the back- tragedy. So every child at Gedung Kuning ground. Ministry of Informa- attempted to fast, even if it was for only 30 tion and the Arts Collection, courtesy of National Archives (Left) A photo taken on 2 June 1955 showing the facade of Gedung Kuning at No. 73 Sultan Gate. The rear of the house faces Kandahar Street. Courtesy minutes a day. of Singapore. of Hidayah Amin. I particularly disliked waking up before (Below) Haji Yusoff’s family (Right) Gedung Kuning was acquired under the Land Acquisition Act in 1999, and underwent restoration until 2003. Currently housed within the building is dawn for the sahur, the early morning meal, posing in front of Gedung the Mamanda restaurant that serves Malay cuisine. Photo by Erwin Soo, 27 October 2012. Courtesy of Flickr. eaten just before fasting begins for the day. Kuning for a family gather- ing in 1958. Hajah Aisah Emak [my mother] and Nenek [my grand- (Haji Yusoff’s second wife felt that Gedung Kuning should return to was interested in acquiring Gedung Kuning all of his second wife’s children and their mother] would gently shake my lethargic and Hidayah Amin’s great- the Malay community. At the same time, and a deal was struck. children in turn, at one point in time six body but I would always mumble, “five grandmother) is seated 6th he needed to provide a home for his second However, when the time came for the household units could be found all living more minutes...” They would finally give from the right. On her right wife and her children, and so he decided he supposed “Sultan of Trengganu” to sign the together beneath the one roof. up and go downstairs to eat. I would only is Nenek, Hidayah’s grand- mother, while her mother would spend his entire savings to purchase legal papers for the sale of the property, Gedung Kuning was to remain in the run down about 20 minutes before sunrise Emak is seated 4th from the Gedung Kuning. My grandmother, Nenek, it was Haji Yusoff who turned up instead. family for almost a hundred years and life to eat whatever food was left. I remember right. Courtesy of Hidayah who was Haji Yusoff’s eldest daughter, Though horrified, the Chinese owner could there was akin to a century of history in the telling them that I preferred to eat before Amin. said he paid about $37,000 in cash, a huge not back out of the deal, especially when making. Sadly, nearly 50 years after the going to bed and not having to wake up so amount in those days, to R.M.P.C Mootiah Haji Yusoff offered to seal the transaction death of Haji Yusoff, the Gedung Kuning early in the morning. But of course, as I Chitty in 1912. immediately in hard cash. It is not known family once again found itself grieving the grew older, I realised the reasons for the Unfortunately, some years later, how much Haji Yusoff paid this time around, loss of their paradise when the house was sahur meal and changed my eating patterns needing to raise capital for his business, but it was definitely worth the price since acquired under the Land Acquisition Act and during Ramadan accordingly. Haji Yusoff was obliged to sell the house the jubilant Haji Yusoff had retrieved his Haji Yusoff’s long legacy came to an end. to a Chinese family. This was in 1919. lost paradise. Today, although the outer walls of Subsequently, Gedung Kuning was sold His paradise regained, Haji Yusoff Gedung Kuning are still painted yellow to another Chinese family. According to was to live happily at Gedung Kuning for (albeit a darker shade than in the past), rumours, neither Chinese family took to liv- almost 30 years before a stroke in 1948 I sense that the vibrancy this place once ing at Gedung Kuning. In fact, one occupant left him bedridden; he passed away two exuded has been lost, its vitality diminished. is said to have turned insane while another years later at the age of 95. Though no one No longer home to a family that once filled committed suicide. When the father of one could remember what his funeral was like, its immense space with great warmth, joy of the Chinese owners passed away while I presume that many people must have and laughter, Gedung Kuning, personified, staying in Gedung Kuning, a medium was attended the funeral rites to pay respect misses its former occupants who so epito- hired to “cleanse” the house of its misfor- to one of the pillars of the Malay commu- mised the heart and soul of old Kampong tune, but this was not enough to dispel the nity – I can imagine how the residents of Glam in days gone by. idea that the house was “unlucky” and it Kampong Glam mourned the loss of their was put back on the market again. finest kampong son. Puasa and Hari Raya Thus it was that Haji Yusoff, who had Though, I never knew Haji Yusoff always regretted his decision of selling personally, through hearing so much about One of the major festive celebrations at Gedung Kuning, suddenly found himself in him as a child – he was still very much a Gedung Kuning was Hari Raya Puasa (Eid a position to buy it back six years later. The part of Gedung Kuning when I was growing ul-Fitri), which marks the end of the fasting Chinese owner, however, refused to sell the up there, in spirit, if not in body – he has month of Ramadan. I remember how as house to Haji Yusoff whom he chided as a always been there as a kind of inspiration children, we were taught to fast when we poor Malay man. Being the astute business- and “guiding” presence in my life. The story were as young as six or seven years old. We man that he was, Haji Yusoff engaged a of Gedung Kuning is as much the story of began by fasting for just one hour each day, middleman named Haji Umar “Broker” to Haji Yusoff as it is the building itself. Gedung slowly increasing the duration as we grew negotiate the purchase of the house on his Kuning bore witness to Haji Yusoff’s increas- older. By the time we reached puberty, we behalf. Haji Umar convinced the Chinese ing prosperity, his growing family, and the could fast from sunrise to sunset, forgoing owner that a wealthy “Sultan of Trengganu” birth of my aunts and uncles. As home to food and drink for about 12 hours daily.

38 39 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / Feature long tables. On these tables was laid out a family togetherness and the spirit of good for the upcoming celebrations. They would turkeys during festive occasions so that mouth-watering display of a variety of Malay deeds and kindness. Emak’s cousins at also buy or sew new baju kurung (Malay everyone could savour the delicious meat. dishes and desserts to entice passers-by. Gedung Kuning would sometimes invite traditional costume) for themselves and No Hari Raya celebrations would be Residents of Kampong Glam as well their friends to the iftar meal. I recall how their children. Everyone would be busy. I complete without ketupat – boiled rice as those from other parts of Singapore Abah [my father] once brought home a recall how Emak painstakingly “pinched” which has been wrapped in a woven palm made their way each year to the annual poor stranger and asked him to have a the pineapple tart dough with a cookie leaf pouch – and lontong (rice cakes). Wak Ramadan Bazaar to soak up the festive meal with us. pincher to make the patterns, instead of Lah would buy them at the famous Pasar atmosphere as well as to sample the deli- I also remember Datuk leaving the using the cookie cutter. Such a labour of Geylang market and he would hang a bunch cious food. Datuk, my grandfather, would table after eating his dates and drinking love! Homemade cookies definitely taste of ketupat over a long wooden pole laid give me some money to spend at the bazaar. his coffee. He would head to the Sultan better than the store-bought ones which horizontally between two chairs. When It was difficult to choose which food to buy Mosque for Maghrib prayers, sometimes dominate the dessert scene nowadays. asked, he said it was to prevent them from with a small budget so I usually opted for together with the other male members of Emak and Nenek would spend the day becoming basi or stale. Everyone was in high my favourite food, otak-otak, a kind of fish the family living at Gedung Kuning. The rest before Eid cooking, among other dishes, the spirits and the festive mood was enhanced paste mixed with spices such as lemongrass of us would finish eating before praying, but family favourite, sambal goreng pengantin, by traditional Hari Raya songs blaring from and turmeric, soused in coconut milk and we would leave some food for others like a spicy dish of meat and prawns. Nenek the radio which evoked a sense of nostalgia then wrapped in a banana leaf that had been Datuk who resumed eating after prayers. mentioned that Haji Yusoff used to keep for times past. softened by steaming. To drink, I would have At times, the women of Gedung Kuning turkeys on the grounds of Gedung Kuning. I remember waking up on the morning air katira. Ahh… who could forget air katira? joined the men in the special prayers called He would ask his cook to slaughter the of Eid and hearing the takbir – the chanting Made from milk, biji selasih (basil seeds), terawih, which are held in mosques every proclaiming the greatness of God – coming dates and cincau (grass jelly), it was light night of Ramadan. distantly from the Sultan Mosque. Even green and, for me, could rival any soft drink! During Ramadan, the Gedung Kuning when I was celebrating Eid overseas, the I also remember how my brother household would be abuzz with activities takbir never failed to bring tears to my eyes. Haji Yusoff’s tali pinggang trademark design comprised a belt buckle flanked by two flags with a shining Hadi and I were often asked to take some particularly when the festival of Eid, which I liked watching the throng of Malay males star above the buckle. The trademark was sewn onto the tali pinggang – a belt with a small money pouch food to other members of the family living brings the fasting season to a close, was making their way past our house to the worn by men over their sarong or pants – that he sold in Kampong Glam. The belts were also exported to other countries in the region. Photo by Yeo Wee Han. Courtesy of Hidayah Amin. at Gedung Kuning, about an hour before nearing. Everyone would lend a hand to give Sultan mosque (most females in Singapore we broke our fast. These food exchanges the house an especially thorough cleaning preferred to stay at home to prepare the Eid happened more frequently during Ramadan, (though there were helpers for the daily meal). They would be clad in their finest granddaughter, he would have proposed was spending Ramadan in Morocco, I met a time for reflection and sharing. It could cleaning). Nenek was tasked to sew curtains baju Melayu, a long-sleeved shirt with a to me! Such banter was a reflection of the children dressed in their most lavish tra- be a vegetable or meat dish, or a plate of for the whole house. standing collar sewn in a style called cekak good neighbourly spirit the people of Gedung ditional clothes – the girls wore make-up kuih-muih (cakes), or whatever food that Each household would tidy up their musang, with matching trousers and over Kuning had with the others. and had their hair nicely coiffured – paraded Nenek and Emak cooked. Although we never own living areas, and make cakes and dishes the top, a length of cloth called the kain Everyone would feast on the Hari Raya around the village with drums beating to expected reciprocity, the receiving party samping, woven from silk and gold thread, cookies and Nenek’s famous agar-agar announce their accomplishment of one would invariably return our plate with food which was worn like a short sarong. A sea kering­ (crystallised jelly), and help them- month of fasting. (Right) Hidayah Amin celebrating her first birthday that had been prepared or bought. So you at Gedung Kuning in 1973. In the photo are four of blues, reds, greens and other bright selves to plates of the kepala meja – the But back in Gedung Kuning, children can imagine how much food we ate when we generations of Haji Yusoff’s family. From the left: colours dominated the streets of Kampong main dish at the table – while quenching their were celebrated in another way. True to the broke fast at around seven in the evening! Hidayah’s grandmother, her great-grandmother and Glam. After Eid prayers, the same myriad of thirst with Fraser & Neave orange crush. spirit of giving, Haji Yusoff would give five About 10 minutes before Maghrib her father. The boy is a cousin of Hidayah’s mother, colours would embrace each other, asking Warm smiles and laughter would break dollars (a big sum in those days) to each prayers (the evening prayer following sun- while the girl is a guest. Courtesy of Hidayah Amin. forgiveness for past transgressions in a out amidst the lively conversations as one grandchild. In the 1930s, 10 cents could buy (Below) Haji Yusoff’s grandchildren celebrating Hari set), Hadi and I would run up the wooden Raya at Gedung Kuning in 1948. Hidayah’s mother spirit of friendship and brotherhood. caught up with the happenings of another. four sticks of satay from the satay man staircase and look out the window at the is the one standing, pouring the drinks. Courtesy I recollect how neighbours from Children were the happiest during who carried his portable stove and cooked end of the landing. From the open windows, of Hidayah Amin. Kampong Glam would visit Gedung Kuning Hari Raya Puasa, especially those who had sur place. Wak Lah said that one cent could we could see the minaret of the Sultan at Hari Raya. Once, a group of young men successfully completed a month of fasting. buy up to four different items of food, and Mosque. We would wait in anticipation as from Bussorah Street visited us. They were Proud parents would inform relatives of that for two cents, he could have a cup of we stared at the little crescent and star at surprised to see me as I rarely hung outside their feat, while the children beamed with tea, pisang goreng (banana fritters) and a the top of the minaret. During Ramadan, the the house. One teased me and said that if he pride at having accomplished one of the bowl of bubur kacang (green bean soup). crescent and star would light up when the knew Haji Jofrie had such a manis (sweet) five pillars of Islam. I remember when I Although five dollars could not buy that muezzin called out the azan (prayer call). many things now, I agreed with Wak Lah Hadi and I would be overjoyed and shout when he said that it was not the duit raya “Dah bang!” (It’s prayer time!). We would Gedung Kuning: Memories of a Malay (Hari Raya money) that mattered most, then rush downstairs, much to Emak’s Childhood is published by Singapore but the spirit of family togetherness expe- unhappiness. “Nanti gelundung!” (You’ll Heritage Society and Helang Books. rienced during Ramadan and Hari Raya. fall headlong) she would say. The book retails for $24.90 (before And how I missed that family togetherness How we loved Ramadan, especially GST) and is available at major book- when I was studying far away from home. when it was time for iftar, the evening shops. The book is also available meal which brings to an end the daily fast. for reference and loan at the Lee Although we were encouraged to break our Kong Chian Reference Library and fast with something sweet like a kurma selected public libraries (Call nos.: Notes (date), Hadi and I would look at the most RSING 305.8992805957 HID and 1 Gedung Kuning, along with the adjacent Istana enticing dish and eat that first. Most of 305.8992805957 HID). Kampung Gelam in the Kampong Glam area, was the family members would try to make it restored and opened as the Malay Heritage Centre home for buka puasa (breaking the fast); in 2004. The Istana, or Palace building, houses a museum devoted to the history, heritage and culture no matter how busy one is, one should try of Malays in Singapore, while Gedung Kuning has to spend dinner time with the family during been turned into a restaurant called Mamanda, which Ramadan. Ramadan indirectly encourages serves Malay cuisine.

40 41 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / Feature

Wilbert Wong is currently a second-year (Facing page) Portrait of John Crawfurd, 1857. Courtesy of the National Museum of Singapore, National Heritage Board. doctoral candidate at the Australian National (Below) Journal of an Embassy from the Governor-General of India to the Courts of Siam and Cochin China is a record of John Crawfurd’s commercial and University's School of History, where he is diplomatic mission to the courts of Siam and Cochin China from 1821–22. The frontispiece shows a black-and-white version of the painting titled “A View of researching British colonial writings on the the Town and Roads of Singapore from the Government Hill” by Captain Robert James Elliot. All rights reserved, Crawfurd, J. (1828). Journal of an Embassy from the Governor-General of India to the Courts of Siam and Cochin China: Exhibiting a View of the Actual State of Those Kingdoms. London: Henry Colburn. Malay Peninsula. He hopes to specialise in the field of world history, with emphasis on cross- TheDoctor cultural encounters. TurnedDiplomat John Crawfurd’s Writings on the Malay Peninsula The National Library, Singapore, has in its collection a number of items relating to John Crawfurd’s writings on Asia. In 2016, the collection was further enriched by an acquisition from Dr John Bastin – a noted tauthority on Stamford Raffles and author of numerous books and articles on the his- tory of Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Among the 19th-century British to fuel his scientific debates on ethnology of India, to accompany him on a military tensions and suspicions raised among the scholar-administrators of the Malay Pen- – in other words, the study of societies, expedition against the Dutch in Java.7 This local authorities there.11 insula, Crawfurd (1783–1868) was one of cultures and the nature of mankind. marked a major turning point in Crawfurd’s the most accomplished. He was highly career; he would become, as the anthro- Crawfurd’s Achievements in Singapore regarded by the scholarly community for Crawfurd’s Early Life and Career pologist Ter Ellingson wrote in his book, his formidable intellect and contributions to The Myth of the Noble Savage, “a doctor- On 9 June 1823, Crawfurd succeeded the field of ethnology, linguistics and Asian Crawfurd was born on 13 August 1783 on turned-colonial-diplomat”.8 William Farquhar as the second Resident subjects – especially on Southeast Asia. the island of Islay in Scotland.2 He was the Crawfurd held various senior admin- of Singapore – Crawfurd had first visited The Spectator newspaper noted in son of Samuel Crawfurd, a physician and a istrative posts during the brief British the island in 1822 enroute from India to 1834 that “Crawfurd [was] well known by his “man of sense and prudence”, and Marga- occupation of Java between 1811 and Siam – and remained in office until 1826. writings on Eastern manners and statistics, ret Campbell.3 Crawfurd was educated in 1816 due to his command of the Malay It was during this period that Crawfurd and his exertions to open the British trade a village school in Bowmore, Islay. In 1799, language, including an appointment as made his biggest political achievement: with China and India”.1 he enrolled in medical school in Edinburgh; Resident at the royal court of the Sultan of he was instrumental in the proposal and Crawfurd's writings on Southeast medicine was a field for which, according Yogyakarta. He befriended the Javanese negotiation of the Treaty of Friendship Asia provided a wealth of information for to his 1868 obituary in The Sydney Morning aristocratic literati and studied both Kawi, and Alliance on 2 August 1824, which saw those with a keen interest in the region, Herald, he “never had much taste, having an ancient form of Javanese as well as Singapore being effectively ceded by its especially merchants, intellectuals, and been chosen for him” – presumably by his contemporary Javanese. rulers, Sultan Hussein Shah and Temeng- aspiring imperial civil servants and offi- father. 4 It later became evident that young On his return to Britain in 1817, Craw- gong Abdul Rahman, to the British East cials. His body of scholarly work, however Crawfurd’s interest lay in languages, furd became a fellow of the Royal Society. India Company. flawed and imperfect it may seem from history, ethnology, natural sciences and His position and local connections in the Singapore flourished under Craw- a contemporary perspective, is a major political administration. Malay Peninsula and Java enabled him to furd’s administration, which was marked contribution to our understanding of After completing his medical studies acquire a decent collection of local manu- by rapid growth in trade, population and the socio-political and cultural milieu of in 1803, Crawfurd left for Calcutta, India, scripts. Putting together the information revenue. Remarkably, by 1826, Singapore’s colonial Malaya. as an assistant surgeon in the East India he had gathered during his sojourn in revenue had outstripped that of Penang. Colonial sources invariably provide Company’s Bengal medical service, where Southeast Asia, Crawfurd published his Given his administrative accomplishments, the only means of historical information on he was assigned to the army.5 In 1808, on widely acclaimed three-volume History of historian C. M. Turnbull may be justified Malaya in the 19th and early 20th centuries. completion of five years of active service in the Indian Archipelago in 1820.9 This seminal in praising Crawfurd as one of the three Like many of his contemporaries, such as the northwestern provinces of British India, work, according to a review in The Journal outstanding pioneer administrators of Sin- John Crawfurd, the 19th-century British the British orientalist and linguist, William Crawfurd was appointed to the medical of the Indian Archipelago and Eastern Asia gapore, after Raffles and William Farquhar Marsden (1754–1836), and Stamford Raffles service at Prince of Wales Island, present- in 1856, placed him among “the first rank (see text box on page 45).12 colonial administrator, was known for his (1781–1826), Crawfurd sought to understand day Penang. Never one to sit on his laurels, of ethnographers".10 Crawfurd continued to play an active the interplay between mankind and its Crawfurd used his time there to study the In 1821, Crawfurd left England again role in the British East India Company on insightful writings on ethnology and history in history, and the inhabitants of the Malay Malay language and its people.6 for India; this time he was assigned to head completion of his tenure as Resident of the Malay Peninsula. Wilbert Wong examines Peninsula often featured in his writings on In 1811, Crawfurd, together with Raf- a mission to Siam (now Thailand) and Cochin Singapore in 1826, undertaking diplomatic ethnology and world history. The knowledge fles and another Scottish intellectual John China (Vietnam), with the chief objective assignments in Burma (now Myanmar), the ideas of this visionary scholar and thinker. gained from his experiences and observa- Leyden (1775–1811), was invited by Lord of opening up these countries to trade. before retiring permanently to England in tions on the region would eventually be used Minto (1751–1814), then Governor-General However, he failed because of regional 1827.13 Although Crawfurd left the region for

42 43 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / Feature good, he continued to take a keen interest not backed by historical or archaeological language spoken by the Archipelago’s philosophy of the Scottish Enlightenment in matters concerning the Far East until the evidence.33 A recent 2016 study by Gareth “Oriental Negroes” was distinct from the of measuring the progress of mankind – end of his life, becoming the first president Knapman has furthermore revealed that brown-coloured races of the region, which which was not surprising given Crawfurd’s of the London-based Straits Settlements Crawfurd opposed Darwinism because would mark them out as separate races.42 background and education in Edinburgh – he Association on 31 January 1868.14 Crawfurd it promoted a hierarchy of races, which Crawfurd’s direct examination of the divided the cultures of the world into dif- passed away on 11 May 1868 at his residence Crawfurd, as an advocate of racial equality, aboriginals of the Malay Peninsula, the ferent stages of civilisation. These stages in South Kensington, London, at the age of was completely against.34 Orang Asli, seemed to have been limited ranged from the refined to the savage, and 85, leaving behind a son and two daughters.15 Crawfurd assumed that each race was to the three Semang people he saw in he used cultural and material indicators to equally as old as any other, and the reason Penang and Singapore, as well as the few measure their level of progress, such as the The Malay Peninsula in Crawfurd’s behind their distribution across the globe Orang Laut (or “sea gypsies”) he came development of language and numerals, Writings was a cosmic mystery “beyond the power across, which was understandable since advancement of social order, the advance- of our comprehension”.35 He distinguished he had never ventured into the interior of ment of the arts, tools used, weaponry, An examination of Crawfurd’s obituar- each race according to their outer physical Malaya.43 Instead, Crawfurd had to rely on and the state of agriculture, technology, ies would give the impression that his appearances, such as the colour of the skin, the findings of other Orientalists, such as architecture and so forth.48 literary fame continued to rise after he hair and eyes, average height, hair texture James Richardson Logan (1819–69) and Crawfurd argued that (civilised) ended his career in Asia, to the extent and facial features.36 But in spite of their John Turnbull Thomson (1821–84), when Malays were more advanced than the that it seemed to have outshone his civil differences, he argued, they all belonged studying the other Aslian tribes.44 Those “Oriental Negroes” of the Malay Peninsula service accomplishments in the Far East.16 to the same genus, Homo (modern humans who possessed Malay-like features – the because they had learnt how to domesticate In spite of several unsuccessful attempts are classified as Homo sapiens), just like the Jakun for instance – were deemed to belong animals and cultivate plants, possessed the to enter British politics, he continued mak- different breeds of dogs, although having to the Malay group, which Crawfurd labelled art of writing and the use of numerals, and ing headlines in the intellectual world by different physical features, are all from the as “uncultivated Malays”.45 The other two had knowledge of useful metals and how producing notable publications such as same family, Canidae.37 Malay classes were the “civilised Malays” to work them. The “Oriental Negroes” in A Grammar and Dictionary of the Malay Crawfurd was against using anatomy and the Orang Laut.46 contrast, who “wander the forests in quest Language with A Preliminary Dissertation to distinguish the “species” of mankind, In his views on the global progress of of a precarious subsistence, without fixed (1852)17 and A Descriptive Dictionary of more specifically the classification of races mankind, Crawfurd regarded the Malays habitation” had not yet developed letters the Indian Islands & Adjacent Countries according to the shape of the skull that and the Javanese to be the most civilised of and numbers, and had either achieved lit- (1856),18 and through his journal contri- was being promoted by the anatomist and the inhabitants of the Indian Archipelago.47 tle or none of the other cultural markers butions to the scholarly periodical of the (Above left) Page xviii of A Grammar and Dictionary of the Malay Language with a Preliminary Disserta- naturalist Johann Friedrich Blumenbach In a manner that was consistent with the mentioned above. Crawfurd also drew a Ethnological Society of London – which tion shows the primary consonants, secondary consonants and vowel marks of the letter “K” in Javanese (1752–1840), with the launch of his publi- script. All rights reserved, Crawfurd, J. (1852). A Grammar and Dictionary of the Malay Language with a 19 he led in 1861 as president. As a leading Preliminary Dissertation. London: Smith, Elder, and Co. cation De Generis humani varietate nativa ethnographer and expert on Southeast (Above right) A Papua or Negro of the Indian Islands (left) and Katut, a native of Bali (right). All rights (On the Natural Variety of Mankind), in singapore’s other founder: lamps began to emerge during his Asia, Crawfurd was well known among reserved, Crawfurd, J. (1820). History of the Indian Archipelago: Containing an Account of the Manners, 1795. Crawfurd, perhaps also drawing his john crawfurd administration.7 prominent intellectuals of the time, and Arts, Languages, Religions, Institutions, and Commerce of its Inhabitants (Vol. I). Edinburgh: Printed conclusion from his knowledge of medicine, for Archibald Constable and Co. As an enlightened liberal, Crawfurd was counted among Charles Darwin’s stressed that regardless of race, one would Historian C.M. Turnbull is right in continued Raffles’ efforts at suppress- circle of friends.20 not be able to tell the difference between pointing out that John Crawfurd, along ing slavery and promoted free trade Crawfurd’s publications on the Far Asia, “which multiply just as fast as do the race of the “inferior” parent, but inferior to the skull of a “Hindu-Chinese” and that of a with Singapore’s first British Resident with a level of zeal that was greater than East were the result of his extensive jour- parent stocks from which they derived”.23 the race of the “superior” one, would seem Malay.38 This was why Crawfurd thought it William Farquhar, has faded into ob- his predecessor. By reducing adminis- neys and voyages made during his time in He would have also drawn this conclusion somewhat more controversial.27 When best to catalogue the different races accord- scurity.1 We often attribute the success trative expense, he was able to abolish the region, where he amassed a diversity from his observation of the mixed-race discussing the Peranakan communities of ing to their external physical features, and and founding of modern Singapore to anchorage and other levies, making of materials on ethnology, natural history, communities in the Malay Peninsula – as the Malay Peninsula, he pointed out that this was how he would distinguish between the man whose iconic bronze statue Singapore a unique port that was free local history, geography and geology.21 As an suggested in his other ethnological article, “these half-castes speak the language of the inhabitants of the Indian Archipelago39 stands in Empress Place – Sir Thomas from tariffs and port charges. By the active participant in the lively 19th-century On the Commixture of the Races of Man the father as well as that of the mother, and the Malay Peninsula in his studies. Stamford Raffles. As Singapore’s sec- end of his administration, Singapore scientific and philosophical debates on the as Affecting the Progress of Civilisation.24 and are distinguished from the pure Malay The inhabitants of the Indian Archi- ond British Resident from 1823 to 1826, was the wealthiest of all British set- nature of mankind, he took advantage of Here, pointing to the Peranakan communi- by superior intelligence”.28 In History of pelago, in Crawfurd’s observation, consist Crawfurd was an excellent adminis- tlements in Southeast Asia. his observations in Asia to roundly debunk ties of the Malay Peninsula, Crawfurd wrote: the Indian Archipelago, Crawfurd found of many different races, which he divided trator who, in the words of Turnbull, Not all of Raffles plans for Singa- the idea that offspring produced from the that the Chinese who intermarry “with into three groups based on appearance: “provided the efficient administration pore were followed, however. Crawfurd union or “commixture” of two different “The intercourse and settlement the natives of the country, generate a the brown-complexioned, straight-haired that Raffles could not supply”.2 reversed Raffles’ ban on gambling, races would become sterile and incapable are still in progress, and out of it has race inferior in energy and spirit” to the men, such as the Malays; men of dark com- Crawfurd guided Singapore during regulating the practice through the sale of producing healthy children of their own. sprung a cross-breed known, as in Chinese.29 He also wrote supportively of plexion with woolly hair, whom Crawfurd a time of rapid economic and population of licences to gambling establishments.8 In his article in the journal of the the colonising Arabs and Chinese, mixed-racial unions between Europeans termed the “Oriental Negroes” because expansion.3 He promoted agriculture, Ethnological Society of London, On the by the term Páranakan [sic], with and native inhabitants in European colo- their features were similar to the “African battled against piracy as far as his Supposed Infecundity of Human Hybrids the national designation of the father nies because he saw it as a laudable, if Negroes” (although Crawfurd believed scanty means permitted and dealt 4 or Crosses, which was read in 1864 and annexed, and literally signifying patronising, way of improving the existing that the two were not of the same race with Singapore’s lawlessness. He was Notes published in 1865, Crawfurd highlighted the ‘offspring of the womb,’...”25 indigenous societies.30 due to the differences in their physical instrumental in turning Raffles’ town 1 Turnbull, C. M. (2009). A history of modern theory that “mongrels resulting from the In his scientific views, Crawfurd was characteristics and language); and men plan of Singapore into a reality, enfor­ Singapore: 1819–2005 (p. 50). Singapore: NUS union of two different races of the human In Malacca, which had been colonised a believer in polygenesis, a theory that of brown complexion with frizzled hair, like cing standards laid down by Raffles for Press. (Call no. RSING 959.57 TUR-[HIS]) 2 Turnbull, 2009, p. 50. 40 5 family” were sterile (like a mule – a hybrid by the Portuguese since 1511, he observed supposes the multiple origins of man- the inhabitants of Timor. “beauty, regularity and cleanliness”. 3 Turnbull, 2009, p. 46. 31 between two opposite species of the same that a cross-race of Eurasians had sprung kind. Mankind, according to the tenets of The people of the Malay Peninsula Commercial Square (present- 4 Mills, L. A. (2003). British Malaya: 1824–67 (p. 78). genus of lower animals). The idea had up, and they had “so much of Malay blood polygenesis, consists of different races or consisted of the brown-complexioned day Raffles Place) was developed Selangor, Malaysia: Malaysian Branch of the “lately sprung up” and was beginning to as to be hardly distinguishable from the species that are spread across different Malays and the dark, woolly-haired, “Ori- and a "bridge was constructed across Royal Asiatic Society. (Call no.: RSING 959.5 MIL) 22 26 32 6 5 Turnbull, 2009, p. 46. obtain currency in France and America. Malays themselves”. geographical locations around the world. ental Negroes”, also known locally as the the river". The settlement’s streets 6 Turnbull, 2009, p. 46. 41 Crawfurd saw this theory as one that was Crawfurd’s view that the children He opposed Darwinism because of its stand “Sámang” (Semang) or “Bila”. In History were both widened and levelled and 7 Turnbull, 2009, p. 46. “without a shadow of foundation”, citing of mixed racial unions would become an on the common origins of man, consider- of the Indian Archipelago, Crawfurd noted given English street signs, and street 8 Turnbull, 2009, pp. 45–46. evidence in the mixed-race communities in “intermediate” offspring, superior to the ing it to be without firm foundation and that, besides their appearance, even the

44 45 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / Feature

applied his ideas about the progress of supremacy, but a closer look at his complex University Press. (Call no.: RSING 959.57 BUC-[HIS]); physical and mental characteristics of the negro, p. 237. mankind to explain the history of the Malay works would reveal that he was probably Turnbull, 2009, p. 49. 42 Crawfurd, 1820, History of the Indian Archipelago, vol. 15 Mr John Crawfurd. (1868, May 16). The Examiner, issue 3146. 2, p. 80; Crawfurd, 1856, A descriptive dictionary of the Peninsula’s inhabitants, framing it within a more of a realist and a practical visionary 16 The Sydney Morning Herald, 23 Jul 1868, p. 6; The Indian islands & adjacent countries, p. 207. global context. The “Oriental Negroes” of who was more concerned about finding Examiner, 1868, issue 3146; Thomson, T. (1870). A 43 Crawfurd, 1848, On the Malayan and Polynesian the Malay Peninsula were on a lower scale logical explanations to the different condi- biography of eminent Scotsmen (Vol. III) (pp. 592–594). Languages, p. 333. of civilisation because of their isolation in tions of mankind. Glasgow, Blackie and Son. Retrieved from Google Books. 44 Crawfurd, 1856, A descriptive dictionary of the Indian 17 See Ang, S. L. (2016, Jan–Mar). A bilingual dictionary islands & adjacent countries, pp. 41, 49–50, 257. the dense forests and mountains of the by a Scotsman. BiblioAsia, 11(4), pp. 14–15. Call no.: 45 Crawfurd, 1856, A descriptive dictionary of the Indian 58 interior. The Malays, on the other hand, R 027.495957 SNBBA) islands & adjacent countries, pp. 161, 192. had attained a certain degree of advance- 18 See Lee, Jan–Mar 2016, pp. 16–17. 46 Crawfurd, J. (1967). Journal of an embassy to the courts of Wilbert Wong was awarded the ment in their superior Sumatran homeland 19 Murchison, 1868, cl. Siam and Cochin China (pp. 42–44, 52–55). Kuala Lumpur, National Library’s Lee Kong Chian 20 Knapman, G. (2016). Race, polygenesis and equality: London, New York: Oxford University Press. (Call no. before migrating to the more geographically Research Fellowship in 2016. This John Crawfurd and nineteenth-century resistance to RSEA 959.3 CRA); Crawfurd, 1856, A descriptive dictionary hostile Malay Peninsula that was shrouded article is a condensed version of a evolution. History of European Ideas, 42(7), pp. 1, 11. of the Indian islands & adjacent Countries, p. 250. in dense forest, “a serious and almost (Not available in NLB holdings) 47 Crawfurd, 1848, On the Malayan and Polynesian more in-depth research paper sub- insuperable obstacle to the early progress 21 Murchison, 1868, p. clxix languages, p. 338. mitted as part of the fellowship. The of civilisation”.59 22 Crawfurd, J. (1865). On the supposed infecundity 48 The Scottish Enlightenment, an 18th-century movement author would like to thank his subject of human hybrids or crosses. Transactions of the that flourished in Scotland, was still influential during Crawfurd thought that the Malay civi- reviewer, Associate Professor Syed Ethnological Society of London, 3, p. 365. Retrieved Crawfurd’s time and when its impact was still felt. lisation was much improved by its contact Muhammad Khairudin Aljunied, of from Internet Archive website. Edinburgh, where Crawfurd obtained his medical degree, with Hinduism and, later, Islam, from where 23 Crawfurd, 1865, On the supposed infecundity of human was one of the centres of the Scottish Enlightenment. the National University of Singapore, it obtained its letters and culture.60 Raffles, hybrids or crosses. p. 357. See Broadie, A. (Ed). (2003). The Cambridge companion Dr Gareth Knapman of the Australian 24 Crawfurd, J. (1865). On the commixture of the races to the Scottish Enlightenment (pp. 1, 3, 5–6). Cambridge: on the contrary, opined that Islam degraded National University, and Dr Austin of man as affecting the progress of civilisation. Cambridge University Press. (Call no.: R 001.0941109033 the Malays61, as did the British orientalist Gee of the University of Otago, for Transactions of the Ethnological Society of London, 3, CAM); Pittock, M. G. H. (2003). Historiography. In A. William Marsden.62 pp. 116–117. Retrieved from Internet Archive website. Broadie. (Ed.), The Cambridge companion to the Scottish their feedback on the article. The 25 Crawfurd, 1865, On the commixture of the races of man Enlightenment (p. 262). Cambridge: Cambridge University author is also grateful for the as- as affecting the progress of civilisation, p. 116. Press. (Call no. R 001.0941109033 CAM). For an example of Crawfurd’s Perceptions of the sistance provided by Gracie­ Lee, 26 Crawfurd, 1865, On the commixture of the races of man how Crawfurd measured progress, see Crawfurd, 1820, Malay Peninsula Senior Librarian, National Library, as affecting the progress of civilisation, p. 117. History of the Indian Archipelago, vol. 1, p. 9; vol. 2, p. 276. Singapore, towards this research. 27 Crawfurd, J. (1861). On the classification of the races of 49 Crawfurd, 1856, A descriptive dictionary of the Indian The Malay Peninsula and its inhabitants man. Transactions of the Ethnological Society of London, islands & adjacent countries, pp.17, 29. A group of Orang Asli, the indigenous people of the Malay Peninsula, late 19th century. Courtesy of 1, p. 356. Retrieved from Internet Archive website. 50 Crawfurd, J. (1861). On the conditions which favour, the National Museum of Singapore, National Heritage Board. played an important role in Crawfurd’s writings and in shaping his views on 28 Crawfurd, 1865, On the commixture of the races of man retard, or obstruct the early civilization of man. as affecting the progress of civilisation, p. 116. Transactions of the Ethnological Society of London, 1, p. ethnology and world history. Crawfurd’s Notes 29 Crawfurd, 1820, History of the Indian Archipelago, vol. 154. Retrieved from Internet Archive website. connection between the practice of wearing cross-cultural contacts, and geographi- ideas and views discussed in this essay 1 Mr John Crawfurd. (1834, January 11). The Spectator, p. 1, p. 135. 51 Crawfurd, J. (1863). On the connexion between ethnology and scant clothing and savagery.49 cal barriers could prevent a culture from are only a fragment of the many ways in 32. Retrieved from The Spectator Archive website. 30 Crawfurd, 1820, History of the Indian Archipelago, vol. physical geography. Transactions of the Ethnological Society obtaining the resources it needed for which they informed his writings. They 2 Knapman, G. (2017). Race and British colonialism in 2, p. 448. of London, 2, p. 4. Retrieved from Internet Archive website. Southeast Asia 1770–1870: John Crawfurd and the politics of 31 Knapman, 2016, pp. 1, 11. 52 Crawfurd, J. (1869). On The Malayan race of man and advancement. Crawfurd often referred featured regularly in his scientific ar- The Crawfurdian World View equality (p. 20). New York: Routledge. (Call no.: RSING 325.01 32 Crawfurd, J. (1869). On the theory of the origin of species its prehistoric career. Transactions of the Ethnological to the Eskimos to corroborate his view, guments, as seen in his position on the KNA); Lee, G. (2016, Jan–Mar). Crawfurd on Southeast Asia. by natural selection in the struggle for life. Transactions Society of London, 7, pp. 123, 125. Retrieved from Crawfurd used material and cultural stating that the indigenous peoples of the children of mixed-race unions, where he BiblioAsia, 11(4), pp.16–17. (Call no.: R 027.495957 SNBBA) of the Ethnological Society of London, 7, p. 37. Retrieved Internet Archive website. measures to assess the state of civilisation Arctic and subarctic regions could hardly used his observations of the Peranakan 3 Mr John Crawfurd. (1868, July 23). The Sydney Morning from Internet Archive website; Knapman, 2016, p. 2. 53 Crawfurd, 1863, On the connexion between ethnology that a race had attained. When it came to be expected to progress in the isolated and communities in the British settlements Herald, p. 6. Retrieved from Trove website; Turnbull, C. M. 33 Crawfurd, J. (1865). On Sir Charles Lyell’s “Antiquity of and physical geography, pp. 4–5, 8, 10–11, 14. (2009). A history of modern Singapore: 1819–2005 (p. 42). Man”, and on Professor Huxley’s evidence as to man’s 54 Crawfurd, 1820, History of the Indian Archipelago, vol. 3, explaining how people got to where they frozen lands they inhabited where scant to support his stand. Singapore: NUS Press. (Call no.: RSING 959.57 TUR-[HIS]) place in nature. Transactions of the Ethnological Society p. 149; Crawfurd, 1861, On the conditions which favour, were in society, he would identify access plants and animals were available to help It is likely that Crawfurd’s perceptions 4 The Sydney Morning Herald, 23 Jul 1868, p. 6. of London, 3, p. 60. Retrieved from Internet Archive retard, or obstruct the early civilization of man, p. 166. to domesticated animals and cultivated spur growth.53 would have been different if he had never 5 The Sydney Morning Herald, 23 Jul 1868, p. 6; Turnbull, website; Crawfurd, 1868, On the theory of the origin of 55 Crawfurd, J. (1863). On the commixture of the races of plants, cross-cultural engagements with Crawfurd also offered an interesting stepped foot in the region. But he did, and C. M. (2004). Crawfurd, John (1783–1868), orientalist species by natural selection in the struggle for life, p. 28. man in western and central Asia. Transactions of the and colonial administrator. Retrieved from Oxford 34 Knapman, 2016, pp 10–14. Ethnological Society of London, 1, pp. 159–60. Retrieved a “superior” race, geography and the intel- theory about the inhabitants of Britain: he based on his first-hand knowledge, Craw- Dictionary of National Biography website. 35 Crawfurd, J. (1863). On colour as a test of the races of man. from Internet Archive website. lectual capacity of a race as the underlying believed that they would still be in a savage furd applied his ethnological and scientific 6 Crawfurd, J. (1820). Advertisement. In History of the Indian Transactions of the Ethnology Society of London, 2, p. 253. 56 Crawfurd, 1863, On the connexion between ethnology forces that determined racial progress.50 state, isolated in their lush forests, if the theories on race to his understanding of the Archipelago: Containing an account of the manners, arts, Retrieved from Internet Archive website; Crawfurd, J. and physical geography, pp. 4, 14; Crawfurd, 1861, On the In order for a culture to develop, superior Romans – who introduced letters Malay Peninsula’s history, and connected languages, religions, institutions, and commerce of its (1866). On the physical and mental characteristics of the classification of the races of man, p. 370; Crawfurd, 1866, On according to Crawfurd’s theory, it would and numerals to the savage and barbaric its inhabitants to the rest of mankind to inhabitants (Vol. 1). Edinburgh: Archibald Constable and negro. Transactions of the Ethnology Society of London, 4, the physical and mental characteristics of the negro, p. 214. Co. (Microfilm no.: NL 25440); Murchison, R. I. (1868). p. 213. Retrieved from Internet Archive website. 57 Crawfurd, 1863, On the connexion between ethnology need access to resources that are neces- tribes of Europe – had not conquered formulate and advance his ideas on the Address to the Royal Geographical Society. The Journal 36 Crawfurd, J. (1868). On the skin, the hair, and the and physical geography, p. 16. sary to engineer growth, such as animals Britain.54 But Crawfurd was curious about history of human origins and progress. of the Royal Geographical Society of London, 38, p. clxvii. eyes, as tests of the races of man. Transactions of the 58 Crawfurd, 1820, History of the Indian Archipelago, vol. that can be domesticated for work and the reason why some races had advanced It is clear that Crawfurd was no petty Retrieved from JSTOR via NLB’s eResources website. Ethnology Society of London, 6, pp. 144–49. Retrieved 1, p. 118; Crawfurd, 1863, On the connexion between consumption, and plants that can be culti- more quickly than others, despite having the intellectual figure of the 19th century. 7 Crawfurd, 1820, Advertisement History of the Indian from Internet Archive website. ethnology and physical geography, p. 11. Archipelago, vol. 1. 37 Crawfurd, 1861, On the classification of the races of 59 Crawfurd, J. (1865). On the early migrations of man. 51 55 vated. Contact with a superior civilisation, same civilisational advantages. Europe, Because his works were highly regarded 8 Ellingson, T. J. (2001). The myth of the noble savage (p. man, pp. 354, 364. Transactions of the Ethnological Society of London, whether through cross-cultural engage- for instance, seemed to be progressing at a and were widely read, he would have 268). Berkeley: University of California Press. (Call no.: 38 Crawfurd, 1861, On the classification of the races of 3, p. 339. Retrieved from Internet Archive website; ments or conquest, could also improve faster pace than China. He reasoned that it influenced how others saw the Malay RSEA 301.01 ELL) man, pp. 127, 132. Crawfurd, 1863, On the connexion between ethnology a race.52 was because each race had different intel- Peninsula and its place in world history. 9 The Sydney Morning Herald, 23 Jul 1868, p. 6; Turnbull, 39 The term “Indian Archipelago” is used by Crawfurd to and physical geography, p. 10. Cultures that thrive are invariably lectual capacities, or in Crawfurd’s words, The Malay Peninsula, despite what many 2004, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. refer to all countries in Southeast Asia today except 60 Crawfurd, 1820, History of the Indian Archipelago, vol. 2, p. 27; 10 Notice of Mr Crawfurd’s Descriptive Dictionary. (1856). Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma and Vietnam. Crawfurd, 1856, A descriptive dictionary of the Indian islands 56 located in places that encourage develop- “the quality of the race”. Europeans, he in the West thought, was far from being a The Journal of the Indian Archipelago and Eastern 40 Crawfurd, J. (1856). A descriptive dictionary of the Indian & adjacent countries, pp. 36, 263–264; Crawfurd, 1868, On ment and have few geographical barri- concluded, had the highest mental aptitude, literary backwater of the British Empire, Asia (new series), 1, p. 293. Retrieved from Hathi Trust islands & adjacent countries (pp. 295–296). London: Bradbury The Malayan race of man and its prehistoric career, p. 125. ers that would impede growth, such as which explained their rapid advancement and there were others like Crawfurd – such Digital Library website. & Evans. Retrieved from Book SG; Crawfurd, J. (1848). On 61 Syed Muhd Khairudin Aljunied. (2005). Sir Stamford impregnable forests or mountains. Access and dominance during Crawfurd’s lifetime.57 as the British naturalist and anthropologist 11 Turnbull, 2004, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. the Malayan and Polynesian languages. Transactions of the Raffles’ discourse on the Malay world: A revisionist 12 Turnbull, 2004, Oxford Dictionary of National Ethnological Society of London, 1, pp. 330, 333. Retrieved perspective. Sojourn, 2(1), pp. 6–8; Turnbull, 2009, p. 42. to domesticated plants and animals and Crawfurd’s theory, in a nutshell, was Alfred Russel Wallace (1823–1913) – who Biography; Turnbull, 2009, pp. 46–47, 50. from Internet Archive website; Crawfurd, 1866, On the 62 Quilty, M. (1998). Textual empires: A reading of early cross-cultural engagements are also that racial advancement was on the whole would feature the region in their scientific 13 The Sydney Morning Herald, 23 Jul 1868, p. 6. physical and mental characteristics of the negro, pp. 230, 238. British histories of Southeast Asia (p. 52). Clayton, directly tied to geography – isolated cul- decided by a combination of geographical, works. Crawfurd’s ideas on mankind may 14 Buckley, C. B. (1984). An anecdotal history of old times 41 Crawfurd, 1848, On the Malayan and Polynesian Victoria, Australia: Monash Asia Institute. (Call no. tures cannot be expected to benefit from cultural and biological factors. He then have promoted the idea of European racial in Singapore 1819–1867 (p. 141). Singapore: Oxford languages, pp. 333–334; Crawfurd, 1866, On the RSING 959. 0072 QUI)

46 47 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / Feature

Perhaps, most importantly, man- Furthermore, as mangrove wetlands groves act as carbon sinks to absorb huge are coastal plant communities that belong amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmos- to a larger coastal ecosystem, they act as phere – between two and four times greater a connecting link and maintain stability than the rates observed in mature tropical between different coastal ecosystems forests. In this sense, mangroves play a key such as coral reefs, seagrass flats and role in mitigating the deleterious effects of freshwater swamps.13 MANGROVES climate change and global warming.9 The four most common mangrove A study carried out in late 2014 by species found in Singapore include Avi- A TALE OF SURVIVAL a team of researchers from the National cennia (api-api), Bruguiera, Rhizophora University of Singapore’s Department of (bakau), and Sonneratia.14 It is estimated Mangroves are an integral part of the marine ecosystem. Geography revealed that mangroves occupy that the island was home to 75 sq km just 960 hectares or less than 1 percent of mangrove forests two centuries ago Ang Seow Leng explains why these hardy and resilient of the land area in Singapore, but store compared to the minuscule 7.35 sq km disproportionately high levels of carbon − found today.15 By the end of the 19th cen- plants are vital for the survival of humankind. 450,571.7 tonnes to be exact, or 3.7 percent tury, a sizable portion of mangroves had of Singapore’s national carbon emissions in been destroyed by logging activities.16 In 2010.10 Additionally, mangroves are able to the subsequent decades, large swathes Mangroves, the forest between land and ronments and estuarine margins”.2 The encountered them. In 1878, the zoologist absorb heavy metals, metalloids and certain of mangrove forests were removed for sea, are fast disappearing as the urban term mangrove is also used to describe the William Hornaday (who was later appointed pollutants from the air, thus hampering the industrial development and conversion to mjungle encroaches on its existence and habitat that is made up of such trees and the first director of the New York Zoological flow of toxins into the food chain.11 coastal reservoirs, the most well known threatens its survival. Mangrove Watch, shrubs. Mangrove habitats are also known Park, known today as the Bronx Zoo), was (Facing page) Mangroves at Pulau Semakau. Photo Unlike other plant species, the ever of which is Marina Reservoir in the heart a global monitoring programme based in as “coastal woodlands”, “mangals”, “tidal tasked to collect natural history specimens taken by Ria Tan on 9 August 2011. Courtesy of resilient mangroves can survive in oxygen- of the new downtown.17 Today, there are Australia that partners mangrove scientists forests” and “mangrove forests”.3 They for a Professor Ward of Rochester, New WildSingapore. poor soils and high salinity environments. only a few scattered patches of mangroves (Above) Mangroves at Sungei Buloh Wetland Re- 18 and the community, has noted that the are distributed in tropical and sub-tropical York. Hornaday described his first glimpse serve. All rights reserved, Yong, D. L., & Lim, K. C. One of the ways in which mangroves sur- left in Singapore, and these are mostly world's mangroves are disappearing at an regions, with approximately 70 known spe- of mangroves in Singapore: (2016). A Naturalist's Guide to the Birds of Singapore vive in a hostile environment is to grow found in the northern part of the island. average of 2 percent a year.1 cies found in the world today. (p.5). Oxford, England: John Beaufoy Publishing. anchor roots that penetrate deep into the One of the most well-known man- Mangroves are defined as "a tree, “Entering Singapore by way of New soft sediments as well as long aerial roots grove conservation sites is at Sungei Buloh shrub, palm or ground fern, generally Harbour is like getting into a house called pneumatophores that radiate from Wetland Reserve. It is a popular site for Mangrove Impressions It was a more pleasant scene some exceeding one half metre in height, that through the scullery window... For the trunk just beneath the soil to prop itself migratory shorebird watching and photog- 30 years later in 1908 when another visitor, normally grows above mean sea level in According to the botanist Philip Barry the first stage out from New Harbour, up above water. These breathing roots also raphy and has clearly marked nature trails Count Fritz von Hochberg, had this to say: the intertidal zone of marine coastal envi- Tomlinson, mangroves have existed since the road is built through a muddy perform the function of absorbing oxygen with raised boarded walkways to provide prehistoric times, dating back to the and dismal mangrove swamp. Here from the air. As a result, mangrove plants easy access and also prevent wildlife and “… I was astonished to see how much Paleocene period more than 60 million and there we pass a group of dingy have developed a tangle of prop-root struc- vegetation from being trampled on.19 The had been done to the place since Ang Seow Leng is a Senior Librarian years ago. However, these hardy trees, and weather-beaten Malay houses tures that are either pencil-like (Avicennia wetland reserve contains the largest tracts with the National Library, Singapore. Her I was there four years ago. Lots with their maze of tangled roots, were standing on posts over the soft and sp.) in appearance, resemble the human of mangrove forests on the mainland.20 responsibilities include managing the of these swampy, feverish places researched and studied only from the 16th slimy mud, or perhaps over a thin bent knee (Bruguiera sp.) or look like stilts Other places in Singapore that were named National Library’s collections, developing around the harbor and the Chinese and 17th centuries onwards when European sheet of murky water. Delightful (Rhizophora sp.).12 after mangroves, such as Kampong Sungei content as well as providing reference and quarter have been filled up and research services. colonisation began.4 situation, truly, for the habitations planted, and it made the place ever Mangrove swamps did not always of civilized human beings. Monkey[s] 6 5 so much nicer looking”. leave a favourable impression on those who would choose much better.” tsunami and mangroves: boon or bane? compared two tsunami-devastated villages in the Hambantota area of Sri The Mangrove Ecosystem In 2015, Sri Lanka became the first na- Lanka, it discovered that nearly 6,000 tion to protect all its mangrove forests deaths were reported in the village that Studies have shown that the “dismal” and under a comprehensive programme.21 wasn’t protected by dense mangrove “swampy, feverish” mangroves offer a The following year in July, Sri Lankan and scrub forests compared to just myriad of uses and benefits for both humans President Maithripala Sirisena inau- two deaths in another village that was and the environment. These fragile eco- gurated the world's first mangrove bordered by such vegetation.25 systems provide shelter and protection for museum in Sri Lanka, declaring that the However, the Food and Agriculture several species of fishes, crustaceans and “National Coastal and Marine Resources Organization (FAO) of the United Nations reptiles as well as serve as feeding, nesting Conservation Week” be observed in has cautioned such oversimplification, and roosting grounds for migratory birds. September every year.22 adding that several factors impact the Several flora and fauna species are Why the great emphasis in pro- efficacy of mangroves as coastal pro- indigenous to mangrove swamps in Singa- tecting mangroves in Sri Lanka? The tection against waves, wind and water. pore, such as the Singapore Rubble Crab, International Union for Conservation These include the height and velocity of Favus granulatus, that was discovered in of Nature (IUCN), the world’s larg- the tsunami, the topography and orien- 1900 on our intertidal shores.7 Mangrove est and most diverse environmental tation of the coastline, the width of the wood is used as fuel and for thatching, network,23 noted in a 2006 report that forest, and the height, density and the piling and construction purposes. Mangrove the gigantic tidal waves unleashed species composition of the mangroves. trees also act as an effective natural bar- by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami The FAO warned that it is possible for rier and help to protect shorelines against caused much less damage in areas mangroves and other coastal trees soil erosion and tsunamis. Some species in Sri Lanka that had relatively intact to be uprooted during a tsunami and of mangroves are also used in traditional coastal ecosystems.24 When the IUCN cause even more extensive damage.26 folk medicine as cures for various malaise.8

48 49 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / Feature

Attap and Sungei Bakau Rungkup in Jurong, as well as targeted restoration efforts that were destroyed during reclamation 19 National Parks Board. (2016). Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Retrieved from National Parks website; 27 no longer exist. in specially demarcated areas. Together, was successfully replanted with 400,000 Zaccheus, M. (2013, December 8). Sungei Buloh In an article published in The Singa- nature lovers, botanists and staff from the mangrove seedlings.41 celebrates 20 years. The Straits Times, p. 18. Retrieved pore Free Press on 20 January 1951, Marian National Parks Board (NParks) have taken As mangroves are one of the most from NewspaperSG. Wells described the carefree lives of village concrete steps to preserve our remaining threatened habitats in the world, con- 20 Yang, Lim, Sheue & Yong, 16 Oct 2011, p. 100. 21 Kinver, M. (2015, May 12). Sri Lanka first nation to folks who made a living from firewood har- mangroves. For instance, the Restore Ubin certed and sustained efforts are needed to protect all mangrove forests. BBC News. Retrieved vested from mangrove forests in Jurong: Mangroves ground-up initiative supported conduct further research into these hardy from BBC News website. by NParks was formed to study and reha- intertidal plants as well as to educate and 22 Samaraweera outlines Sri Lanka's commitment to protect “The bakau settlers themselves bilitate the mangrove ecosystem at Pulau create public awareness of an ecosystem oceans. (2016, September 19). Daily Financial Times. are shabby and poor. Bakau stakes Ubin as well as to conduct activities to raise that predates even the human species. Retrieved from Factiva via NLB’s eResources website. 23 International Union for Conservation of Nature. (2017). provide walls for huts and lean-tos, awareness of Singapore’s rich and diverse About. Retrieved from the International Union for and even material for floors. It was mangrove habitats.39 Conservation of Nature website. 24 Ranasinghe, T., & Kallesoe, M. (2006). Valuation, amusing to see a kitten clinging In 2015, a mangrove arboretum was Notes rehabilitation and conservation of mangroves in tsunami desperately to a stake while its body set up by NParks at Sungei Buloh Wetland 1 Mangrove Watch. (2013). Global mangroves: affected areas of Hambantota, Sri Lanka: Economic Mangroves – kidneys of the coast. Retrieved from swung in space. It had fallen through Reserve to conserve the country’s dwin- valuation of tsunami affected mangroves. Regional Mangrove Watch website. a gap in the flooring. Apart from the dling mangrove species, especially the Environmental Economics Programme - Ecosystems and 2 Mangrove Watch. (2013). Mangroves defined. Retrieved felling of trees the men are engaged critically endangered Eye of the Crocodile, Livelihoods Group, Asia. Retrieved from IUCN website. from Mangrove Watch website. 25 Kinver, M. (2005, December 25). Tsunami: Mangroves in some fishing and crab catching. Bruguiera hainasii. Interestingly, Singa- 3 Saenger, P. (2002). Mangrove ecology, silviculture, ‘saved lives’. BBC News. Retrieved from BBC News website. Children find sport in racing along pore is home to 11 of the remaining 200 and conservation (p. 1). Dordrecht; London: Kluwer 26 Tsunami Reconstruction. Tsunami mitigation by 40 Academic Publishers. (Call no.: R 577.698 SAE) raised mudbanks and plank bridges trees in the world. mangroves and coastal forests. Retrieved from Food A 1915 photo by G. R. Lambert & Co. showing some attap houses in a kampong, possibly at Bukit Timah. 4 Tomlinson, P. B. (1995). Botany of mangroves (pp. 13, which are their only pathways in a As it is extremely difficult to replant and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Mangrove habitats also host nipah palms, whose leaves are used for thatching. Lee Kip Lin Collection. 34). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. (Call no.: 28 website. For full report, see Forbes, K., & Broadhead, land of mud and sludge.” All rights reserved. Lee Kip Lin and National Library Board, Singapore 2009. mangroves, Singapore can take pride in R 583.42 TOM) J. (2007). The role of coastal forests in the mitigation two successful mangrove reforestation 5 Wise, M. (Compiler). (2013). Travellers' tales of old of tsunami impacts. Retrieved from the Food and Singapore (p. 107). Singapore: Marshall Cavendish projects – at Sungei Api Api and Pulau Agriculture Organization of the United Nations website. The Regeneration of Mangroves 29 Editions. (Call no.: RSING 915.957043 TRA) pore. In Ulu Pandan for instance, some land-scarce Singapore, with Dr Wee Yeow Semakau. Mangroves along Sungei Api 27 Jurong: The good old, bad old days. (1980, February 14). 6 Wise, 2013, p. 165. The debate on land use in Singapore is not a 4 sq km of the mangroves were sacrificed Chin of the Malayan Nature Society and Dr Api that were effected by reclamation The Straits Times, p. 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; 7 Ng, P. K. L., et. al. (2007). Private lives: an expose Chua, A. (2015). Jurong: Heritage trail (p. 19). Singapore: recent phenomenon. In 1951, R. E. Holttum, for prawn cultivation in 1957, leaving only Leo Tan of the Singapore Science Centre works at Pasir Ris have been regener- of Singapore's shores (p. 200). Singapore: Raffles National Heritage Board. (Call no.: RSING 915.95704 then Professor of Botany at the University 1 sq km untouched.30 weighing in on the issue.31 ated by NParks. When the Semakau Museum of Biodiversity Research. (Call no.: RSING JUR-[TRA]) 578.7699095957 PRI) of Malaya, contributed a lengthy article in Almost three decades later, a 1983 Today, mangrove conservation efforts Landfill was created by merging Pulau 28 Wells, M. (1951, January 20). In the forests of Singapore 8 Wetlands International and The Nature Conservance. The Straits Times arguing why mangrove Straits Times article by Mark Pestana pon- in Singapore are carried out by means of Sakeng with Pulau Semakau in the mid- island. The Singapore Free Press, p. 7. Retrieved from (2014). Mangroves for coastal defence: Guidelines for NewspaperSG. swamps should be preserved in Singa- dered if mangrove swamps could survive in legislation, management and education 1990s, the 13-hectare plot of mangroves coastal managers & policy makers. Retrieved from 29 Holttum, R. E. (1951, February 15). Fascinating life Wetlands International website; Kinver, M. (2005, among the mangroves. The Straits Times, p. 9. December 25). Tsunami: Mangroves 'saved lives'. BBC Retrieved from NewspaperSG. News. Retrieved from BBC News website. Southeast Asia where there are abundant Typically, the harvested bakau stems are In the 1930s, imported char- 30 Victory goes to prawns in battle of the Ulu Pandan mangrove wood for charcoal 9 UNEP & WCMC. (2014, December 4). Biodiversity A-Z: tracts of bakau.32 Matang Mangrove Forest cut to size and transported along the river to coal was unloaded at the beach near mangroves. (1957, December 5), The Straits Times, p. 4. Mangrove. Retrieved from Biodiversity A-Z website. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. Wood from the Rhizophora apiculata, Reserve in Perak, the largest of its kind in the charcoal production factory, where they Singapore Hainan Hwee Kuan (clan 10 Boh, S. (2016, January 8). Mangroves play key carbon storage 31 Pestana, M. (1983, December 1). Will the swamp also known as bakau, makes for good- Malaysia, for instance, produces sizable are stripped of their barks and arranged association) along Beach Road but role in S’pore. The Straits Times, Science, p. B12. Retrieved survive? The Straits Times, p. 1. Retrieved from from National University of Singapore News website. quality charcoal, which is essentially quantities of charcoal for export. according to size before being placed in a in subsequent years, it moved to the NewspaperSG. 11 Ng, P. K. L., Wang, L. K., & Lim, K. K. P. (Eds.). (2008). carbon-rich burnt down wood that is An interesting pictorial description of kiln to be incinerated into charcoal.34 wharf at Clyde Terrace, then to Craw- 32 Ng, Wang & Lim, 2008, p. 221. Private lives: An expose of Singapore's mangroves 33 Singapore charcoal burning industry. (1935, June 22). used as a form of fuel. Charcoal is no Singapore's charcoal burning industry from Housewives in pre-war Singapore ford Street and finally to Tanjong Rhu (p. 225). Singapore: Raffles Museum of Biodiversity 37 The Straits Times, p. 20. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. longer produced in Singapore today yesteryear can be found in the 22 June 1935 had to make do with charcoal burning in the late 1950s. In 1986, temporary Research, National University of Singapore. (Call no.: 34 Ng, Wang & Lim, 2008, p. 222. 33 RSING 578.7698095957 PRI) but the trade still thrives in parts of edition of The Straits Times (page 20). stoves. In his book, The Singapore House warehouse facilities in Lorong Halus, 35 Edwards, N. (1990). The Singapore house and 12 Yong, D. L., & Lim, K. C. (2016). A naturalist's guide to and Residential Life, 1819–1939, Norman Singapore’s only charcoal port, were residential life, 1819–1939 (p. 198). Singapore: Oxford the birds of Singapore (p. 7). Oxford, England: John Edwards described these kitchens as offered to 17 charcoal merchants from University Press. (Call no.: RSING 728.095957 EDW) Beaufoy Publishing. (Call no.: RSING 598.095957 YON) 36 Why charcoal is still imported. (1972, September 7). The “extraordinarily primitive”, consisting of Tanjong Rhu, which was affected by the 13 National Parks Board. (2014, October 15). Mangroves. Straits Times, p. 13. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. an open stove made of brick with either Kallang River clean-up. By 1992, the Retrieved from National Parks website. 37 Lay, J. T. (1992). Charcoal dealer (pp. 1–3). In S. G. Lo- 14 Things that live in mud. (1983, December 1). The Straits a stone slab or a concrete top at bench Lorong Halus port had closed and the Ang & C. H. Chua (Eds.), Vanishing trades of Singapore. Times, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. height, with two round holes to place the charcoal import and export business Singapore: Oral History Dept. (Call no.: RSING 15 Yang, S., Lim, R. L. F., Cheue, C., & Yong, J. W. H. 38 338.642095957 VAN) cooking vessels over burning wood or moved to Pasir Panjang Terminal. (2011, October 16). The current status of mangrove 38 Charcoal port near Tampines to go, new one offered at charcoal underneath. A bundle of approxi- The use of cooking gas and elec- forests in Singapore. In Proceedings of Nature Society, Pasir Panjang. (1992, September 23). The Straits Times, Singapore’s conference on ‘Nature conservation for a mately 2.5–5 kg of charcoal could last a tricity spelt the end of the charcoal p. 20. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 35 sustainable Singapore’, p. 100. Retrieved from Nature large family for about two days. industry in Singapore. In 1948, there 39 Tan, A. (2016, December 23). ‘Christmas’ wish for Pulau Society (Singapore) website. Mr Lim Tiong Sui, who used to run a were more than 50 charcoal dealers Ubin takes root. The Straits Times. Retrieved from 16 O’Dempsey, T. (2014). Singapore’s changing landscape Factiva via NLB’s eResources website; National Parks charcoal business in Singapore, recalls in Singapore, including 12 who owned since c. 1800 (pp. 17, 46). In T. Bernard (Ed.), Nature Board. (2015, June 16). Updates on The Ubin Project purchasing mangrove wood from the charcoal kilns in Indonesia. By 1988, contained: environmental histories of Singapore initiatives June 2015. Retrieved from NParks website. (pp. 17–48). Singapore: NUS Press. (Call no.: RSING Malay villagers at Chua Chu Kang, Tinggi only half of the dealers remained. 40 Khew, C. (2015, October 5). New mangrove arboretum 304.2095957 NAT) and the Naval Base areas and supervis- No new licences have been issued to at Sungei Buloh. MyPaper. Retrieved from Factiva 17 Baker, N., & Lim, K. K. P. (2008). Wild animals of via NLB’s eResources website; Ministry of National ing the firing of the raw material at his charcoal dealers in recent years and Singapore: A photographic guide to mammals, Development. (2015, November/December). New charcoal kiln in Jurong. As the demand the government has stopped offering reptiles, amphibians and freshwater fishes (p. 13). mangrove arboretum for Sungei Buloh Wetland Singapore: Draco Pub. and Distribution: Nature Society for charcoal in Singapore was more than rental spaces to charcoal factories. Reserve. MND Link. Retrieved from Ministry of National (Singapore). (Call no.: RSING 591.95957 WIL) At the charcoal production factory, the mangrove stems are stripped of their bark and then arranged what could be supplied locally, it was also Development website. 18 Sivasothi, N. A., & Ng, P. K. L. (Eds.). (1999). A guide to according to size. The stripped mangrove stems are then placed in the kiln to be incinerated into imported from neighbouring countries like 41 Ng, et. al, 2007, p. 227. the mangroves of Singapore 1: The ecosystem and plant charcoal. Photo by J. Yong. 36 Indonesia and Thailand. diversity (p. 4). Singapore: Singapore Science Centre. (Call no.: RSING 577.698095957 GUI)

50 51 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / Feature

8 “ 南 洋 色 彩 ”的 文 艺 理 论 。 其中一些文艺 （前页）椰子虽然不是南洋特有的植物，但是却常被作为代表南洋的植物。李急麟收藏。版权所有，李急 理论在阐述作者对于在文学作品中加入“南 麟和新加坡国家图书馆管理局2009。 （下）陈炼青与《悲其遇》（右下）作者张金燕在提倡“南洋色彩”的文章中都提及椰子为代表南洋的事物之 洋色彩”的看法，同时也显露了该作者对于 一 。而 于 1960年出版的《马来亚风情画》（左下）封面亦绘有椰树。图像来源：新加坡国家图书馆管理局。 寻找 南洋景观的印象。 《 新 国 民 日 报 》文 艺 副 刊《 荒 岛 》编 者 张 金燕在1927年 发 表 的《 南 洋 与 文 艺 》一 文 中写道：

“我虽然不是完全一个飘荡南洋有 名的马六甲海峡的椰果，但是未学成 时 已 在 无 野 狗 患 的 乡 土‘ S埠 ’培 植 到胡子刻满嘴唇；黄河泥色的滔水， 又虽未浸染过，但我的皮肤遗传着祖 宗旧衣裳，而黄姜、咖哩，把我肠胃 腌 实 了，因 此 我 对 于 南 洋 的 色 彩 浓 厚 过祖宗的五经，饮椰浆多过大禹治下 的 水 了 。”9

从1920年代末文艺理论 又如，曾圣提也在《醒醒吧，星城的艺人》 一文提到：

初探文人对南洋之印象 “穿过了椰子的长林，走上沥青的马 路，驶进黑烟漫天的工厂，缒入暗无 Chinese authors in 1920s Singapore were faced 天日的矿洞，你将看见，真理在那里 徘 徊 。… … with the call to produce works with a distinctive

“Nanyang flavour”. Goh Yu Mei explains how these 醒 醒 吧 ，星 城 的 艺 人！旧 世 界 在 烈 日 “作家溷在椰丛下，写着梅花、雪片、 early writers defined this new genre of literature. 下 消 溶 了，百 咫 高 椰 可 以 飘 挂 我 们 的 1930年《 星 洲 日 报 》上 的 文 杨柳……等东西，还是不全改掉；而 旗，万里无云的长空表示我们的坦 艺论争 我们地方色彩、风味，不知怎的总蕴 白；大象象征我们的巩固，长绿的叶 在作家们的肚子里，似乎烟士披里纯 1930年3月19日《 星 洲 日 报·野 葩 》刊 登 了 由 关于新加坡华文新兴文学1 起源的年份以及 随着越来越多篇文艺理论探讨着何谓“南洋 些担任本地报章及其文艺副刊的编辑，有些 子宣告我们的新鲜，海助我们呐喊， 未到以前，这些都不愿意发泄了吧！ “陵”所撰写的文章——《文艺的方向》， 其发展分期，不同学者有着不同的看法。然 色 彩 ”及“ 南 国 文 艺 ”，文 人 作 家 也 试 图 在 一 发表文艺作品，成为本地华文文学发展的主 我们的新鲜的环境，供给我们无穷的 继 而 引发了一 场 延 续 约 两 个月之 久 的 文 艺 而，大多学者都注意到1920年代至1930年 个比较抽象的概念上，赋予这些词藻具体 要推动力。 材 料！”10 如其谓南洋的景物太粗俗与太不艺 论 争 。三 名 文 人（ 悠 悠 、陈 则 矫 、滔 滔 ）针 代期间是新加坡华文新兴文学中本地意识 的特征。他们从自己对所在地的印象，抽取 另 外 ，陈 炼 青 于 1929年 发 表 的《 文 艺 与 地 方 术，所以够不上我们的作家赏鉴的 对陵的《文艺的方向》发表了他们对于当 萌芽与兴起的时期。2 回顾当时在新加坡的 出他们所认为的特点，尝试以此为血肉，塑 虽然移居本地，但是从他们发表的报刊创刊 色 彩 》中 阐 述 ： 话，就我们的眼光看起来却未必是。 时“ 南 国 文 艺 ”12 所 应 发 展 的 方 向 。虽 然 对 文人所发表的文艺理论中，不乏明确提倡富 造一个拥有本地色彩的“南洋文学”。本文 词 、社 论 以 及 文 学 作 品 中 ，可 以 看 出 这 些 初 这 里 的 本 地 风 光 ，倒 也 不 见 得 这 样 的 于文学作品应发展的具体方向和方法有所 有“ 南 洋 色 彩 ”的“ 南 洋 文 学 ”的 文 章 。这 在 将会从1927年到1930年期间在新加坡华文 来乍到的文人仍然心系中国。他们的文章 著名编辑及报人曾圣提 年来到新加坡，担任 难堪。你看，苍翠的椰林、浓密的橡 不同，但是他们都认为文学应该含有社会 1930年代中期也进一步发展至有关于 “马 报章上所发表的文艺理论尝试论述这点。 大多讨论中国所面临的问题，而文学作品中 1927 《南洋商报》电讯翻译和副刊编辑。他曾在他所主 胶 、茂 盛 的 芭 蕉 、耸 立 的 老 树 ，实 在 觉 性 ，而 非 单 纯 是 属 于 个 人 的 。13 来亚文学”的争论。 也不乏希望回到中国或贡献中国的情怀。5 编的《南洋商报》副刊《文艺周刊》上主张要“以血 文学中本地意识的兴起 与汗铸造南洋文艺的铁塔”。版权所有，骆明总编。 得可爱；兼之那富于雨量的气候，‘一 (2003)。《南来作家研究资料》。新加坡：新加坡国 雨 便 成 秋 ’的 热 带 的 生 活 ，似 乎 不 无 在 这 论 争 中 ，滔 滔 于 1930年4月30日发表 19世纪末至20世 纪 初 ，中 国 经 历 了 巨 大 的 随着在本地居住的时间越久，这些文人对 家图书馆管理局、新加坡文艺协会。 Goh Yu Mei is an Associate Librarian 一点诗意；即如落日斜晖，我们在海 的《对于南国文艺的商榷》中明确指出 with the National Library, Singapore. She 社 会 动 荡 与 变 化 。在 这 一 历 史 背 景 下 ，许 本地的情感也逐渐加深，并且更加关注本 边眺望，大自然的壮丽奇伟，似不能 南国的特征： works with the Chinese arts and literature 多中国人迁移到世界各地谋求新生活。新 地在各方面的发展。6 除 此 之 外，1919年在 collection, and is interested in exploring the 说比中国的不好看些。”11 relationship between society and literature. 加坡也是他们的目的地之一。3 这个移民浪 中国发生的五四运动，同样地也冲击着本 “ 因 此 ，我 们 要 创 设 或 树 植 南 洋 的 吴玉美是新加坡国家图书馆助理图书馆员，负 潮清楚地反映在当时新加坡人口结构的变 地华人社会。然而，要在本地推行五四运动 三位文人作家在鼓励位于本地的作家撰写 文艺，我们便首先要认取南国的一 责中文艺术与文学馆藏。她的研究兴趣包括社 化。1824年 ，在 新 加 坡 的 华 人 人 数 为 10,683 以白话文撰写作品的主张，文人们需要考 拥有南洋色彩的文学作品时，也在文章中 般的社会的特质。所以首先我就想 会与华文文学之间关系。 人 ，占 总 人 口 的 31%。近 100年 后 ，华 人 人 数 虑本地的特殊环境，才能顺利在南洋推广 描述了一些他们心目中所认为可以代表南 简单的写出据我所观察到的南国社 This article was edited by Vicky Gao, a 在 年增加了 倍 ，升 至 人 ，占 总 这些源自于中国的主张。7 这些因素促使 会几个特质大概。 Senior Librarian who specialises in China 1921 40 418,358 洋的事物。这包括了动植物（如：椰子、橡 Studies at the National Library, Singapore. 人口的75.3%。4 这 些 华 人 人 口 当 中 ，有 来 自 文人的本地意识开始萌芽，进而开始提倡 胶 、香 蕉 及 大 象 ）、自 然 景 观（ 大 海 ）、热 带 本篇文章由高小行 编辑。她是国家图书馆高级 中国的文人，也有在本地或回到中国接受教 在 文 学 中 加 入 本 地 色 彩 。在 1927年至1930 气候、经济活动（如：矿洞及工厂）以及食 谁都可以看见，南国的经济生活不 参考馆员，中文学科馆员。 育并活跃于本地文化界的知识分子。他们有 年 期 间 ，新 加 坡 报 章 上 更 是 发 表 了 不 少 关 于 品（ 如 ：黄 姜 及 咖 喱 ）。 过某国经济体系中底很多脉络的一

52 53 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / Feature

条吧了，并且这一条脉络的命运，十 （下）橡胶种植和采锡是战前马来亚主要的经济活动 分 之 七 八 不 但 待 决 于 某 国 ，而 且 操 之一，因而可能使得文人们在文章中也以此作为本地 色彩的例子。李急麟收藏。版权所有，李急麟和新加 权 于 他 处 。这 点 表 示 什 么 ？就 是 很 坡国家图书馆管理局2009。 清楚的表示南国经济仅是世界经 （右）这幅1842年印制的石版画描绘了不同种族的人 士在天福宫外活动的情景。多元种族社会也是文人 济的大机构中一个小齿，密切地结 们在文论中所提出的南洋社会特点之一。天福宫石 合着。当然绝不是‘旧经济组织’。 版画，1842年，Alfred T. Agate 作画、J. A. Rolph 雕刻。图像由新加坡国家文物局属下的新加坡国家 博物馆提供。 其次，南国是个商品的推销场，或 者说膨胀的资本主义的排泄地；同 时，又是天然物产的吸取底场所。 所以，南国一方面试商业繁盛，尤 其是小商业异常地发达的地方，另 一方面却包含着广大的劳苦群众。

而且，这儿是各民族混杂密集的地 方，各民族劳苦群众支持着南国社 会的生存。就以所知某地大工厂来 说 ，总 共 有 人 数 三 千 左 右 ，华 人 只 有七八百，还不够全厂人数三分之 一 ，其 他 多 是 印 人 或 土 人 ，其 中 尤 以印人为多。其他当然可以得到类 似的情形。

这样，我好像乘着特别快车由星洲 到槟城匆匆把这儿的特质的大概说 过 了，现 在 进 而 说 到 我 对 于 这 么 一 个情形下的南国应该建设什么一种 雪花掩映的红梅，也不会在南国有 年到1930年在新加坡报章上发表的文艺 其后，1930年 代 有 关 于“ 马 来 亚 文 学 ” 和 景 观 。然 而 ，在 对 比 中 国 之 后 ，这 些 10 曾 圣 提（ 1929年1月18日 ） 。《 醒 醒 吧 ， 星 城 的 艺 人 》 。《 南 洋 商 报 ·文 艺 周 刊 》。引 自 方 修 编（ 2000） 。《 马 华 新 文 学 的文艺底一点意见。 其踪影。这是地质和气候底自然关 理论中提到的特征有：椰树或椰林、锡矿 的文艺理论中同样也可看到类似情况。 特点，无论是南洋特有与否，也因非中 大系（一九一九—一九四二）》（第一册）（页127 – 128）。 系上必然现象。 或矿场、橡胶、本地食品（椰浆或黄姜）、 例如：1934年 3月1日 ，《 南 洋 商 报 · 国特点，而随即成为文人们笔下的的南 香港：香港世界出版社。Call no.: RSING C810.08 MHX 11 陈 炼 青（ 1929年9月23日 ） 。《 文 艺 与 地 方 色 彩 〉 。《 叻 …… 香蕉、热带气候及多元民族社会。橡胶 狮声》刊登了丘士珍以笔名“废名”发 洋特征。 报 · 椰 林 》。引 自 方 修 编（ 2000） 。《 马 华 新 文 学 大 系 （ 一 同 样 ，文 艺 也 应 有 地 方 色 彩 的 衣 裳 。 种植以及采锡是战前马来亚主要的经济 表的《地方作家谈》，引发了之后有关 九一九—一九四二）》（第一册）（页145）。香港：香港世 界出版社。Call no.: RSING C810.08 MHX 自然，南国有它底质，而应该有它底 活动，因此不难想象为何他们会以此作 于“地方作家”的论争。这篇文章中就 注释 12 这场论争中这些作家以“南国文艺”代指南洋的文学， 我们看看吧，在这儿无论是社会关 1 本文中所探讨的“新加坡华文新兴文学”主要指 20世纪 而 杨 松 年 和 周 维 介（ 1980）亦 指 出 陈 则 矫 的“ 南 国 文 地方色彩的文艺（不是地方主义或 为代表南洋的特征。然而，令人好奇的 更为清楚地讲述与中国（上海）文坛对 学 ”也 包 含 了 广 东 、广 西 和 福 建 。 系上或自然关系上，我们目光所接 初期，在新加坡的文人袭承五四时期所倡导的以白话文 什么乡土派，请莫误会）。好像植物 是“椰树”或“椰林”这个常被作为南洋 比的情况： 创作的作品，有别于古典诗词等古典文学。 13 杨 松 年 、周 维 介（ 1980）。《新加坡早期华文报章文艺副 触 的 事 物 ，耳 朵 所 听 到 的 传 说 ，大 都 2 杨 松 年（ 2000） 。《 新 马 华 文 现 代 文 学 史 初 编 》（ 页 刊研究1927 – 1930》（ 页 140 – 144）。新 加 坡 ：教 育 出 版 般 的 ，南 国 有 它 底 疏 朗 的 椰 影 或 阴 的 代 表 特 征 ，却 非 南 洋 独 有 的 植 物 。 ）。新 加 坡 ： （新加坡）教育出版社。 社。Call no.: RSING 016.0795957 YSN-[LIB] 和 我 们 本 国 的 互 异 。这 儿 有 各 色 各 “关于马来亚有无文艺，这是不成 13 – 18 BPL Call no.: 郁的橡林，北国的浓艳的牡丹总不 RSING C810.09 YSN 14 滔 滔（ 1930年4月30日 ） 。《 对 于 南 国 文 艺 的 商 榷 》 。《 星 样的民族群总；这儿有整千整万的 问题的，在这里，我们应该肯定地 3 骆 明 总 编（ 2003） 。《 南 来 作 家 研 究 资 料 》（ 页 10）。新 洲 日 报 · 野 葩 》。引 自 方 修 编（ 2000） 。《 马 华 新 文 学 大 系 会 在 这 儿 开 放 奇 葩 吧 。”14 上文中所提到的滔滔的《我们所需要的 加坡：新加坡国家图书馆管理局、新加坡文艺协会。Call （一九一九—一九四二）》（第一册）（页81-82）。香 港 ： 锡矿的和胶园的苦力，这儿有西方 说马来亚有文艺，就是居留或侨生 文艺》中，他所提出的南洋景象大多是对 no.: RSING C810.092 SON 香港世界出版社。Call no.: RSING C810.08 MHX 4 Pan, Lynn (Ed.). (2006). The Encyclopedia of the Chinese 15 滔 滔（ 1930年5月10日 ） 。《 我 们 所 需 要 的 文 艺 》 。《 星 洲 带来的物质文明，同时也有人类黑 16 于马来亚的作家们所生产的文艺！ 滔滔从经济角度，描绘了他所认为的“南 比中国 景观，并且列举出两者之间有所 Overseas (2nd ed) (p. 200). Singapore: Editions Didier 日报·垦荒》。引自引自方修编（2000） 。《 马 华 新 文 学 大 暗 的 深 渊 ，五 光 十 色 ，应 有 尽 有 。”15 因为我想，我们应该抓紧了‘地方 国 ”（ 主 要 只 有 马 来 亚 ） 。 他 指 出 南 国 的 不同的地方。 Millet. Call no.: RSING 304.80951 ENC 系（一九一九—一九四二）》（第一册）（页101）。香 港 ： 作家’这个含义来承认马来亚的文 5 杨 松 年（ 2000） 。《 新 马 华 文 现 代 文 学 史 初 编 》（ 页 香港世界出版社。Call no.: RSING C810.08 MHX 多元民族社会，也点出种植、生产以及商 除了之前提到“多元民族社会”、“橡胶” 56 – 66）。新 加 坡 ：BPL（新加坡）教育出版社。Call no.: 16 滔滔的文章中提到“中原”。由此推断，他的文章中的 艺，同时要坚决地方对以上海才有 “本国”（中国）并不包括福建、广东等中国南部。 贸 为 南 国 的 主 要 经 济 活 动 。在 以 植 物 来 RSING C810.09 YSN 和“椰树”之外，这篇文章也点出南洋一 此 外 ，陈 则 矫 于 1930年4月23日 于《 星 洲 陈 则 矫（ 年 月 日 ） 。《 关 于 文 艺 》 。《 星 洲 日 报 · 文 艺 的 谬 误 的 高 调！”18 6 杨 松 年（ 2000） 。《 新 马 华 文 现 代 文 学 史 初 编 》（ 页 71）。 17 1930 4 23 代 表 南 国 时 ，他 也 选 择 椰 树 和 橡 胶 作 为 带受到西方国家的影响，以及暗示着南 日报·野葩》上发表的文章《关于文艺》 新加坡：BPL（新加坡）教育出版社。Call no.: RSING 野 葩 》。引 自 方 修 编（ 2000） 。《 马 华 新 文 学 大 系 （ 一 九 C810.09 YSN 一九—一九四二）》（第一册）（页77）。香港：香港世界 南国植物的代表。 中也不难看出这种对比中国文坛的倾向： 洋社会内的问题。 综 上 所 述 ，从 当 时 的 文 艺 理 论 中 ，可 以 7 杨 松 年（ 2000） 。《 新 马 华 文 现 代 文 学 史 初 编 》（ 页 38）。 出版社。Call no.: RSING C810.08 MHX 新加坡：BPL（新加坡）教育出版社。Call no.: RSING 18 废 名（ 1934年3月1日 ） 。《 地 方 作 家 谈 》 。《 南 洋 商 报 · “ 就 是 给 你 写 了 几 篇‘ 亚 答 ’叶 盖 看出在本地的文人们对比本地与中国的 C810.09 YSN 狮 声 》。引 自 方 修 编（ 2000） 。《 马 华 新 文 学 大 系 （ 一 九 滔滔也于同年5月10日在《星洲日报》的 结 语 ：中 国 以 外 的“ 南 洋 ” 的房子的主人翁的小说吧，也不过 一种心态。他们所提出的“南洋色彩”， 8 方修编著的《马华文学大系（一九一九—一九四二）》 一九—一九四二）》（第一册）（页259）。香港：香港世界 另一副刊《垦荒》上发表的《我们所需要 将十篇从1927年到1930年分别发表于《新国民日报·荒 出版社。Call no.: RSING C810.08 MHX 文人们在提倡拥有本地色彩的南洋文学 暗示着张资平的小资产阶级的恋爱 源 自 于 他 们 对 于“ 南 洋 ”的 印 象 。而 这 岛 》、《南 洋 商 报·文 艺 周 刊 》和《 叻 报·椰 林 》的 理 论 批 的文艺》一文中表示： 派 罢 了；就 是 给 你 写 了 几 篇 关 于 南 种 印 象 是 建 立 在 与 中 国（ 南 部 除 外 ）的 评 分 类 为“ 南 洋 色 彩 的 提 倡 ”。 时，主张要描写以南洋为背景的文学作 9 张 金 燕（ 1927年4月1日 ） 。《 南 洋 与 文 艺 》 。《 新 国 民 日 “沉郁的橡林，疏朗的椰影，不会生 品 。他 们 在 论 述 自 己 的 主 张 时 ，也 时 常 描 洋土人的生活的小说吧，也不过暗 特征。这些特征除了确实是南洋社会明 报 · 荒 岛 》。引 自 方 修 编（ 2000） 。《 马 华 新 文 学 大 系 （ 一 九一九—一九四二）》（第一册）（页119）。香港：香港世 17 显特点之外，也不乏非南洋特有的物产 长在温带的中原；漫天飞舞的白雪， 绘 了 有 关 南 洋 的 意 象 。综 上 所 述 ，从 1927 示 着 鲁 迅 的‘ 阿 Q正 传 ’派 而 已 。” 界出版社。Call no.: RSING C810.08 MHX

54 55 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / NL Notes

of society. The Japanese Occupation project, in Singapore, mostly presented positive, if not (Facing page) Victorious Japa- however, aimed to record history from a variety glowing, views of the Japanese administration. nese troops marching into Fuller- of perspectives – and would cut across socio- The Japanese Occupation interviews have ton Square on 16 February 1942. economic lines. helped to shed light on the harsh realities of life The British had surrendered The first phase of the Japanese Occupation in Syonan-to, the large number of interviewees the previous day and Singapore would be renamed Syonan-to project took four-and-a-half years, from June often proving to be effective in corroborating (or (“Light of the South”) by its new VOICES 6 1981 to December 1985. Potential interview- disqualifying) competing claims. Interviewees masters. © IWM (HU 2787). ees were identified through “media publicity,7 were selected based on their first-hand familiar- (Below) This portrait of a pho- organisations like the National Museum, Sentosa ity with the subject matter. Structured outlines tographer’s assistant, taken Museum, Senior Citizens’ clubs, community cen- were used to ensure some measure of consist- after the Japanese Occupa- tion, clearly shows the effects tres, individual recommendations and handbills ency and uniformity in the topics covered, while from the years of deprivation. THAT REMAIN distributed at pictorial exhibitions organised by interviewers were trained to pick up on unique All rights reserved, Lee, G. B. the National Archives of Singapore”.8 At the close experiences for follow-up. (1992). Syonan: Singapore Under of the project, 175 persons had been interviewed, Weighing in on the significance of the the Japanese 1942–1945 (p. 44). Oral History Accounts of the J. H. Siow (Ed.). Singapore: Sin- totalling some 655 recorded hours. Japanese Occupation collection, James H. gapore Heritage Society. Japanese Occupation Subject to conditions placed by the inter- Morrison writes: (Bottom) A father and daughter viewees, the recordings were made available to having a simple meal of porridge government officials, researchers and members “In a virtual lacuna of documentation and nuts. During the Japa- of the public. The first major showcase of the contemporaneous with the event, nese Occupation, many people suffered from malnutrition or interviews took place in February 1985 on the remembrances either spoken or written died of starvation. Courtesy of 43rd anniversary of the Fall of Singapore.9 are, of course, prime documentation…. Wikimedia Commons. For one month, the Archives and Oral His- The Singapore Oral History Department’s tory Department (OHD) – the entity formed by collection of materials on the Japanese the merger of the National Archives and Records Occupation during the Second World War Centre and the OHU in early 198110 − organised a is meticulously collected, scrupulously Oral history accounts of the Japanese Occupation month-long exhibition on the Japanese Occupa- organized, and immediately accessible tion at its former premises at Hill Street Building to users. They provide one of the more take on added poignancy, says Mark Wong, as we (today’s Old Hill Street Police Station).11 comprehensive collections of one former This first-ever exhibition on the occupation colony’s view (or views) of the war.”16 mark the 75th anniversary of the Fall of Singapore. years12 used information that had been gathered from oral history interviews as well as a selection As the project was intent on collecting of pictures, maps, charts and documents.13 Many data that would enable the reconstruction of of the artefacts displayed were either donated the lives of those affected by the Japanese or borrowed from the interviewees.14 Occupation − both civilians as well as military On 15 February 1942, the British surrender to of the NAS’s Japanese Occupation of Singapore A year later, to mark the end of the first personnel − a broad approach was taken to the invading Japanese forces heralded the start Oral History Collection. phase of the project, the OHD published a include several key themes. These include the of three-and-a-half years of occupation when In 1981, the Oral History Unit (OHU; now catalogue of interviews containing information pre-war anti-Japanese movement; the British oSingapore was known as Syonan-to (“Light of renamed as the Oral History Centre) launched such as date, duration and synopses. Recognis- defence of Singapore; social and living conditions the South”). a major project to record memories of the Japa- ing that there are more stories to be told, the under occupation; the Sook Ching massacres; As we mark the 75th anniversary of the Fall nese Occupation of Singapore. Although it was project continues to this day whenever suitable the Japanese defence of Syonan-to against the of Singapore, we are fast approaching a turn- the impending and inevitable loss of Singapore’s interviewees are found. Allied Forces; the role of the resistance forces; ing point in our history. Anyone with a passing wartime generation that prompted this effort, the and the Japanese surrender and its aftermath. memory of the occupation years would be well idea of collecting interviews about the war and The Value of Oral History into their 80s today, and the day will come when occupation had been conceived when the OHU we can no longer obtain first-hand accounts was first established in 1979.1 Today, the Oral History Centre (OHC), as it was from people who survived the atrocities of this That year, the OHU announced plans to finally renamed in 1993, is a unit under the NAS. period. This situation raises some fundamental embark on two key projects – “Pioneers of Sin- Altogether, it has amassed over 360 interviews questions about our national history: how do we gapore” and “Political Development of Singapore, and 1,100 hours of recordings pertaining to know what we know about the past if no one alive 1945–1965”;2 the third project on the Japanese the Japanese Occupation.15 These interviews Mark Wong is an Oral has actually experienced it? Occupation would be on hold until “more experi- have become a key collection of the OHC for a History Specialist at the Oral Fortunately, the National Archives of Sin- ence has been obtained by the Unit”.3 number of reasons. History Centre, National gapore (NAS), as the official custodian of Singa- The first two projects were narrower in Most importantly, the interviews have Archives of Singapore, where pore's collective memory, has been collecting their scope and selection of interviewees. The helped to fill an enormous gap in our knowledge he conducts oral history primary historical records of the war and occupa- Pioneers initiative (at one time also referred to of the war and occupation. The chaos of war and interviews in areas such as tion years. These take the form of government and as the Millionaires project4) recorded the recol- the regime change posed many challenges for education, the performing arts, the public service and personal documents, photographs, audio-visual lections of business and social leaders from the recordkeeping, made worse in the final days the Japanese Occupation. recordings, maps and other formats. early- to mid-1900s, while the Political Develop- leading up to the official Japanese surrender He co-curated the exhibition, ment project focused on political leaders familiar on 2 September 1945 when the administration Law of the Land: Highlights Giving a Voice to the Past with the rise of politics in the period after World systematically destroyed records of its work in of Singapore’s Constitutional War II up to Independence.5 Singapore. Copies of the heavily censored Syonan Documents, now on at the The shift from living memory to official archives Both projects were attempts to under- Shimbun and other newspapers that survived, National Gallery Singapore. gives us occasion to re-evaluate the significance stand history through the movers and shakers while providing a valuable record of daily life

56 57 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / NL Notes

The intention was to record a plurality of of poorer or marginalized Singaporeans in the Japanese Occupation of Singapore's Oral An interview in progress – using the Uher Report Monitor 4200 open-reel tape recorder − at voices so that they could serve as a counter- whose experiences don’t fit easily into the History Collection so that we and the generations the Oral History Department in Hill Street in 1982. Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore. balance to the predominantly Western-centric dominant narratives of the occupation.… I who come after us can continue to listen − and memoirs of British and Australian soldiers came into the oral history interviews with learn − from their experiences. and politicians that had begun appearing after this idea that the Japanese administration the war and the types of histories that were was omnipresent in wartime life because subsequently written. The Fall of Singapore of organizations like the Overseas Chinese voices from the occupation has been framed as Britain’s worst military Association, Eurasian Welfare Association, disaster – but what did occupation really mean and the auxiliary police force. However, “When the Japanese came in, during the for people in Singapore? through the interviews of the city’s poorer first fortnight, they beheaded eight people To this end, the interviews systematically residents like Mabel [de Souza],17 I found and their heads were put into iron cages record experiences from a broad spectrum of that the Japanese Occupation state was and hung up at eight different places and individuals, spanning gender, nationality, ethnicity, actually less present the further down notices were put out beside the heads religion and socio-economic background. There you were on the socioeconomic ladder.… I that ‘These eight people were beheaded are accounts by volunteer forces, prisoners- did start to get a sense that the Japanese because they disobey the law of the Impe- of-war, civilian internees, resistance fighters, were far more interested in co-opting and rial Japanese Army’… The notice spelled government servants, businessmen, British, controlling the elites of Singapore, and that out that if anyone caught in the act would Australians, Chinese, Malays, Indians, Japanese marginalized peoples (whether by race or be given the same treatment.” Notes and more. Speaking in different voices and lan- socioeconomic status or gender) had a – Neoh Teik Hong21 1 Special unit set up for oral history. (1979, Dec 15). The Straits Times, p. 11. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. guages, they relate their lived experiences and peculiar sort of anonymity in the occupied 2 Kwa, C. G. (2005.) Desultory reflections on the Oral History Centre (p. 5). In D. Chew & F. Hu. (Eds.), Reflections and interpretations: Oral History Centre 25th anniversary publication. Singapore: Oral History Centre, National communicate the complexities of deep emotions city. Some might not consider these people “My father and two uncles were required to Archives of Singapore. (Call no.: RSING 907.2 REF) and scarred memories, providing a multifaceted to be ‘significant,’ but their experiences report to some registration centre – I don’t 3 Man from Unesco for Oral History Unit. (1979, December 15). The Business Times, p. 2. Retrieved from view of this significant period of Singapore history. provide an important corrective to standard know whether [it was] a police station or NewspaperSG. The interviews cover themes beyond the narratives of the war.”18 what, I’m not so sure. Three of them went 4 All that you wanted to know about millionaires. (1982, September 14). The Straits Times, p. 7. Retrieved shores of Singapore, including experiences in and only two came back.” from NewspaperSG. 5 Kwa, 2005, p. 6. 22 Malaya, the Dutch East Indies, Thailand, China An Emotional Connection – Foong Fook Kay 6 Chew, E. (1986). Foreword (p. iii). In Syonan: Singapore under the Japanese: A catalogue of oral history and Japan – underscoring the regional signifi- interviews. Singapore: Oral History Department. (Call no.: RSING 959.57023 SYO-[HIS]) cance of the occupation of Singapore. There are Over time, one can become easily disconnected “The rice ration we get from our shop was 7 Oral history project on the Japanese Occupation. (1981, July 31). The Straits Times, p. 10; Wanted for the accounts of resettlements to Endau and Bahau from a past that may seem so far removed from hardly sufficient for our requirement… record – memories of days gone by. (1981, June 23). The Straits Times, p. 16. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. 8 Tan, B. L. (1986). Preface (p. iv). In Syonan: Singapore under the Japanese: A catalogue of oral history in Malaya and movements of prisoners-of-war our present. Oral history accounts can help us We chopped the tapioca into small pieces, interviews. Singapore: Oral History Department. (Call no.: RSING 959.57023 SYO-[HIS]) to different parts of occupied Southeast Asia find an emotional connection to narrators, who combined it with the rice and used it as 9 Mudali, D. (1985, February 16). Eye-opener for two anti-war Japanese. The Straits Times, p. 1. Retrieved and even Japan. There are also stories of the engage us through nuances in voice, pitch, tone, rice… We all were thin, skinny, sickly… Very from NewspaperSG. Nanqiao Jigong (南桥机工), a group of volunteer pace, mood, expression and more. We may not hard life. I tell you honestly, not worth living 10 Ministry of Culture. (1984, May 26). Speech by Mr S Dhanabalan, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for mechanics and drivers of mostly Chinese always comprehend their circumstances, but during Japanese time. Better to die than to Culture, at the official opening of the Archives and Oral History Department at Hill Street Building and pictorial exhibition “Singapore 1819 to 1980: Road to Nationhood” on Saturday, 26 May 1984 at 11:00 am (pp. 2–3. ethnicity from all over Southeast Asia who we can recognise their emotions of joy, anger live. Another year… if the Japanese were Retrieved from National Archives of Singapore website. aided the war effort against the Japanese in and fear, and ultimately understand history here, I think a lot of people would have died 11 Exhibition recalls life under the Japanese. (1985, January 22). The Straits Times, p. 11. Retrieved from China by bringing supplies through the 1,146- through a rich tapestry of highly personal and from malnutrition.” NewspaperSG 12 Fall of Singapore remembered in exhibition. (1985, February 3). Singapore Monitor, p. 4; Under the km Yunnan-Burma Road as well as mass subjective perspectives. 23 – Ismail bin Zain ‘occupation’. (1985, January 13). Singapore Monitor, p. 4. Retrieved from NewspaperSG. movements of British covert forces and anti- This is why oral history has been a lynchpin 13 Hoe, I. (1985, February 16). Timely reminder of hard times 40 years ago. The Straits Times, p. 8. Retrieved Japanese guerrilla groups in Malaya. Former of the NAS’s efforts to document the war and “Every term about two or three songs will from NewspaperSG. British and Australian internees also speak of occupation. In a book review of The Price of Peace: be sent out to the schools and it was our job 14 Japanese Occupation photos and artifacts to go on show. (1984, September 16). Singapore Monitor, p. 4. their traumatic post-war years adjusting back True Accounts of the Japanese Occupation,19 the to ensure that the schools were learning Retrieved from NewspaperSG. to life in their homelands. critic writes: “The most compelling stories here these songs… They were mostly military 15 This figure comprises two wartime oral history projects – Japanese Occupation of Singapore and Prisoners of War. Interviews conducted for other projects may also contain some information about wartime experiences. With access to such a broad range of inter- are the first-hand accounts of wartime resistance war songs, marching songs, Japanese pa- 16 Morrison, J. H. (1994). Japanese Occupation of Singapore: Oral sources. Canadian Oral History Association views, one realises that there is no singularly activities, culled from the Oral History Centre’s triotic songs… Of course, many of us did not Journal, 14, 92–95. (Not available in NLB holdings) defining experience of the war and occupation, collection of interviews with survivors.”20 There know the meanings of those words at that 17 Low, L. L. (Interviewer). (1984, January 26–February 9). Oral history interview with De Souza, Mabel (Mrs) @ but multiple ones. Listening to so many differ- is something riveting about listening to a spoken time… The policy was partly to propagate Mabel Ottzen [Transcript of Accession No. 000393/04 ]. Retrieved from National Archives of Singapore website. 18 Eaton, C. K. (2017, February 2). Email correspondence with author. Eaton contributed a vignette based on the OHC’s ent individuals provides new insights that can first-person account of an event that third-person Japanese culture and propaganda through interview of Mabel de Souza. See Chandler, D. P., Cribb, R., & Li, N. (Eds.). (2016). End of empire. 100 days in 1945 that help clear up preconceptions or myths of the narratives can never hope to capture. the use of songs.” changed Asia and the world.(pp. 130–131). Copenhagen: NIAS Press. (Call no.: RSEA 303.4825052 END; Eaton, C. occupation. The Japanese Occupation scholar Oral history has continued to engage the – Paul Abisheganaden24 (n.d.). Mabel’s life goes on. Retrieved from End of Empire website. 19 Foong C. H. (Ed.). (1997). The price of peace: True accounts of the Japanese Occupation. Singapore: Asiapac. Public notices such as these Clay Keller Eaton expresses it succinctly: public imagination ever since that first exhibition on the Japanese Occupation in 1985. The inter- “Unlike the… the Westerners, like the (Call no.: RSING 959.57 PRI-[HIS]) became commonplace during 20 Ong, S. F. (1997, June 21). Compelling stories of survival. The Straits Times, p. 26. Retrieved from the Japanese Occupation. The “I use a lot of memoirs in my work, but pretive centre, “Memories at Old Ford Factory”, Americans or the British, who would con- NewspaperSG. first is an order for all military with a few notable exceptions the people opened at the Former Ford Factory − the site of ceal any knowledge that they felt should 21 Tan, B. L. (Interviewer). (1984, October 24). Oral history interview with Neoh Teik Hong [Transcript of personnel and European civilians whose memoirs get published in both the British surrender − on Upper Bukit Timah not be imparted to others, other than their Accession No. 000107/04/01, pp. 7–8]. Retrieved from National Archives of Singapore website. to assemble at the Esplanade Japan and Singapore tend to have held Road on 16 February 2006. The exhibition was own people… the Japanese did not mind 22 Wong, M. W. W. (Interviewer). (2010, April 20). Oral history interview with Foong Fook Kay (Major) (Retired) following the British surrender [CD Recording No. 003506/07/01]. Retrieved from National Archives of Singapore website. on 15 February 1942 (The Syo- positions of power during the occupation. a stark reminder of the horrors of the war and teaching us, so that the people of this land 23 Tan, B. L. (Interviewer). (1985, September 5). Oral history interview with Ismail bin Zain [Transcript of nan Times, 23 February 1942, One of the greatest strengths of [the] occupation. Eleven years later, on 15 February could learn how to maintain a plane, how to Accession No. 000601/05/02, p. 23]. Retrieved from National Archives of Singapore website. p. 4.). The second notice is an ‘Japanese Occupation of Singapore’ oral 2017, a new exhibition, “Surviving the Japanese maintain a ship, how to do certain things...” 24 Chua, J. C. H. (Interviewer). (1994, February 23). Interview with Paul Abisheganaden @ Paul Selvaraj order to purchase rice supplies history project is that it covers a wide cross Occupation: War and its Legacies”, took its place. – Mahmud Awang (translation of interview Abisheganaden [Transcript of Accession No. 001415/48/13, pp. 166–168]. Retrieved from National Archives of in rationed amounts only from Singapore website. section of Singaporean society… some of the Singapore’s wartime survivors will not be 25 licensed retailers (The Syonan in Malay) 25 Mohd Yussoff Ahmad (Interviewer). (1982, October 30). Interview with Mahmud Awang [Transcript of Times, 18 May 1942, p. 5.). interviews I’ve found most valuable were around forever, but their voices will be preserved Accession No. 000224/32/06, pp. 53–54]. Retrieved from National Archives of Singapore website.

58 59 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / NL Notes

In 2015, Abisheganaden donated his collec- He also managed to master the piano accordion On his passion for tion of handwritten scores, notes and books on the without taking any formal lessons. teaching: double bass, guitar ensemble and choral singing When he was 15, Abisheganaden witnessed “Imparting knowledge, to the National Library, Singapore. A total of 158 the fall of Singapore when Japanese forces THE having rapport with people items have since been placed on the shelves of invaded the island on 15 February 1942. The is a great kind of blessing, the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library at Victoria Occupation years were a time of deprivation and I would say. It is a great Street and the Library@Esplanade. hardship for many, but fortunately for Abishega- thing… because I have This article explores the musical genius naden, his family and many other Indians were been able to help a num- of this guitar maestro and previews some of kept relatively out of harm’s way as a result of ber of people along the way the handwritten scores he used to teach during special ties between the Japanese and the Indian through life. And it seems his illustrious career as an educator. With this National Army. to me that this has been my donation, the National Library is hopeful that Abisheganaden’s strong musical skills stood great commitment which future generations of musicians will benefit from him in good stead during the Japanese Occupa- GUITAR MAN I was destined to do. I had studying Abisheganaden’s sizable canon of works. tion years. He found employment by playing the ALEX ABISHEGANADEN been able to touch people’s guitar in an Indian orchestra for the Azad-Hind lives, help them through radio station, which broadcasted pro-Japanese, Early Life and see them progress.”1 anti-British propaganda in support of the Indian Abisheganaden was born into an Indian Lutheran National Army. Because of his adept singing and family of nine children in 1926. His earliest excellent command of the Japanese language, memories of music were those in his home at Abisheganaden was asked by the Japanese Buffalo Road, singing hymns and Christian songs authorities to sing Japanese folk and propaganda with his family. His father played the violin and songs over the radio ukulele, and his similarly talented older brothers, After World War II, Abisheganaden com- Paul, Gerard and Geoffrey, were also musicians. pleted his Senior Cambridge examination and Thanks to these early influences, Abisheganaden embarked on a career in teaching. He taught at cultivated a lifelong passion for music. Rangoon Road Primary School between 1947 and His talents were spotted at a tender age of 1957, and later became the principal of several six when he made his debut on stage as a singer in primary schools until 1963. He was subsequently a variety show at Moonlight Hall, on the grounds promoted to Inspector of Schools at the Ministry of New World amusement park in Jalan Besar. of Education, a role he helmed until 1981. Numerous performance opportunities followed and this became an unbroken pattern throughout Family Life his entire musical career. The recognition that Abisheganaden received Abisheganaden met his future wife, Eileen Wong, early on in life affirmed his musical gifts. Besides at the Teachers’ Training College in the 1950s. Both being a naturally gifted singer, Abishenagaden shared a common interest in music and attended also picked up the guitar easily, having taught the same church. Brought up by strict Christian himself to play the instrument at age 15 using Cantonese parents in a traditional household, the textbook, Ellis Through School for Guitar. Eileen was the eldest child and her parents had

(Facing page) Alex Abishega- naden teaching a young boy how to play the guitar (undated). All rights reserved, Eric Foo Chee Meng 1979–2001. Courtesy of National Arts Council. (Left) Alex Abisheganaden is in the second row holding the Alexander S. Abisheganaden, more popularly double bass in this photo taken Hailed as the “Father of the Guitar”, this known as Alex Abisheganaden, is an accomplished in the 1960s. He is with mem- Singaporean musician who was conferred the bers of the Goh Soon Tioe String Orchestra. Goh Soon Tioe is in pioneer musician has spent the last 50 years Cultural Medallion in 1988. The award honours a the second row, first from the championing the classical guitar movement in individuals who have achieved excellence in the left. Goh Soon Tioe Collection, fields of literary arts, performing arts, visual courtesy of National Archives Singapore. Joy Loh charts his illustrious career. arts and film, and have contributed to the city’s of Singapore. cultural environment. Often referred to as the “Father of the Gui- tar”, Abisheganaden is regarded by many in the music circle as Singapore’s first home-grown classical guitarist and double bassist – an affa- Joy Loh is an Associate Librarian with the National Library, Singapore. Her job ble and generous musician who has dedicated entails managing and developing the library’s performing arts collection as well as much of his life educating and popularising the overseeing the MusicSG digital archive. Joy also enjoys making magic in the kitchen. performance of music on the guitar.

60 61 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017 Vol. 13 / Issue 01 / NL Notes

high expectations of her. Marrying outside of Cheung; and “Jingli Nona” (or Jinkli Nona, which Turning Professional References one’s race in those days was uncommon and means “Fair Maiden”), one of the most popular Chan, B. (2008, July 4). Teacher’s pet often frowned upon by society. In 1950, an opportunity came knocking on Portuguese Eurasian folk songs. It was often project. The Straits Times, p. 68. Despite the challenges the couple faced Abisheganaden's door. From his brother Paul, sung and performed at Eurasian weddings, and Retrieved from NewspaperSG during their early courtship days, the determined Abisheganaden found out that the Singapore the dance movements are somewhat similar to Chang, T. L. (2007, March 27). The Abisheganaden was clearly not to be deterred Junior Symphony Orchestra was looking for a the Malay joget. sounds of joyous youth. The Straits Times, p. 49. Retrieved from from marrying Eileen. Unable to receive neither double bass player. In return for the loan of a free Abisheganaden also composed works NewspaperSG his father-in-law’s permission nor blessing, the instrument, Abisheganaden agreed to play for the for the guitar – including original pieces and Chua, C. H. (Interviewer). (1993, March couple sought the help of Eileen’s uncle, Lee Swee orchestra and to pay for his own formal lessons. transcriptions of popular songs – for didactic 9–1993, September 5). Oral history Cheng, a prominent individual in Singapore’s The next few years he spent studying the purpose as a means to train and improve playing interview with Paul Abisheganaden business circles, to give the bride away in place bass under Hungarian cellist Feri Krempl turned techniques of the guitar orchestra. Iconic works [Transcript of recording no. 001415/48/01, p. 7]. Retrieved from of her father. Sixty-one years later, the couple is out to be a major turning point in Abisheganaden’s include the 16-bar long “Katong Blues,” a short National Archives of Singapore still happily married with two children, Jacintha, musical development. From picking up music work composed in 1971 for the TV programme website. 60, and Peter, 57. through experimentation and trial and error, Music Making with the Guitar, which derived its Email correspondence with Balraj Abisheganaden’s children, too, grew up in Abisheganaden rose to become an accomplished name from the east coast district in Singapore, Gopal, Bernard Tan Tiong Gie, Neo Pay Peng, Ng Shu Haan, James an environment filled with music during their virtuoso, taking proficiency exams in various and “Huan Yin-Vanakam”, a double concerto Heng and Jacinta Abisheganaden formative years. His wife was also musically instruments, including the double bass and Abisheganaden composed in 1995 for the sitar, between December 2016 and talented, and often sang and played the piano classical guitar. erhu and guitar orchestra. February 2017. at home. Aisheganaden’s brother, Paul, had In 1960, Abisheganaden became the first “Huan Yin-Vanakam” combines elements Indian boys who speak Hokkien. (2003, established the Singapore Junior Symphony person in Southeast Asia to receive a Licentiate of Indian and Chinese folk music – musical tradi- August 3). The Straits Times, p. 3. Retrieved from NewspaperSG Orchestra (later known as the Singapore Cham- of the Royal Schools of Music for performance tions that Abisheganaden has kept close to his Nanda, A. (2011, October 17). Strings ber Ensemble) in the 1950s, and Jacintha reveals on the double bass. A year later, as he was heart. The concerto blends sinuous Chinese folk of passion. The Straits Times, p. 4. that her home was often used as a rehearsal keen to pursue a college education, the plucky melodies with the rhythmic tempo of songs sung Retrieved from NewspaperSG venue. Jacintha has fond memories of how she Abisheganaden went back to school with the aid by Indian foreign workers that Abisheganaden National Library Board. (2008). Alex Abisheganaden written by often “met fabulous people, listened up close of a grant, despite having to raise a family with remembered from his childhood days. Together Chang, Tou Liang. Retrieved from to the most intrepid classical music and every two young children. with the inclusion of Chinese and Indian musi- Singapore Infopedia. day was a party.”2 He spent a year overseas at the Royal Col- activities and keep them away from the clutches cal instruments as well as Western classical National Library Board. (2008). The Abisheganadens often took their chil- lege of Music in London where he studied voice, of drug peddlers, the Ministry of Education influences, the work has distinguished itself as Jacintha Abisheganaden written dren to watch concerts and movies with a strong bass and the guitar. There, Abisheganaden (MOE) leveraged the mass media as a means to a singularly important example of world music. by Ho, Stephanie. Retrieved from Singapore Infopedia. musical element. While Abisheganaden naturally became truly immersed in his element and was facilitate the teaching of musical instruments “Gela Nexus” is another important work National Library Board. (2008). Alexander had a measurable influence on his children, he fortunate to be mentored by the famous Australian such as the guitar. for the guitar orchestra by Abisheganaden. S. Abishegenaden, Cultural made sure he did not coerce them into pursuing guitarist John Williams. In 1967, Abisheganaden Abisheganaden was commissioned by then Composed in 1995, the title is an amalgama- Medallion Award, 1988, Music . Retrieved from NORA. (Below) Pictured here are the music as a career. Instead, he believed that it started the Singapore Classical Guitar Society and Minister for Education Goh Keng Swee to pro- tion of GENUS, the NUS Guitar Ensemble, and [Interview] National Library Board. (2012). handwritten music scores for: was more important to inculcate in them a deep has championed the classical guitar movement duce 26 episodes of the TV programme, Music Abisheganaden’s first name “Alex”, symbolising Cultural Medallion written by Tan, (clockwise from left) “Huan-Yin appreciation of the art form, and provide them in Singapore ever since. Making with the Guitar, which was broadcast his feelings of pride and achievement with the Isabel. Retrieved from Singapore Vanakam”, “The Pursuit”, “A Song Infopedia. for Teachers’ Day” and “Gela- with opportunities when they showed interest. on MOE’s Educational Television Service for ensemble he founded. “Huan Yin-Vanakam” and Nexus”. Image source: National Jacintha took lessons in classical piano and two years from 1970 to 1971. He also wrote the “Gela Nexus” were first performed in January Phan, M.Y. (1996, January 20). The Birth of a Guitar Maestro Welcome-welcome from the Library Board, Singapore. singing, while Peter learnt the violin. The former two textbooks that accompanied the series. 1996 by GENUS, and again in 2007 in Singapore. The Straits (Facing page) Parts of a classi- erhu, sitar and guitar. followed in his footsteps, and is now an accom- The widespread use of recreational drugs The programme not only helped to raise the Additionally, “Gela Nexus” was performed by Times, p. 16. Retrieved from cal guitar. All rights reserved, NewspaperSG Abisheganaden, A. (1970). Music plished actress, entertainer and jazz singer. Peter among Singaporean youths in the early 1970s profile and popularity of the classical guitar, it GENUS in a guitar orchestra competition in Tan, B. L. (Interviewer). (1995, March Making with the Guitar (Vol. 1) is a businessman who currently resides in Kuala was a worrying trend for the government. To also established Abisheganaden as the master Germany in 2007. It became one of the first local Oral history interviews with (p.6). Singapore: ETV Service. Lumpur, Malaysia. divert the attention of teenagers to meaningful of the classical guitar in Singapore. works of this genre to be performed overseas. 9). Alex Abisheganaden [Transcript of In 1981, Abisheganaden founded the recording no. 001461/11/01–06,11]. National University of Singapore Guitar Ensem- Later Years Retrieved from National Archives of ble (GENUS) at the university’s Centre for Singapore website. Musical Activities. Beginning as a guitar class In 2007, Abisheganaden received the Cultural Tsang, S. (1996, September 29). They with fewer than 10 enthusiasts, GENUS has Medallion grant which he used to present popu- strike a chord in each other. The Straits Times, p. 11. Retrieved from now grown into a 50-member strong ensemble lar ASEAN folk songs as well as his original NewspaperSG with a wide repertoire and is recognised as one compositions. During GENUS’s 25th anniversary YMCA joins the attack on drug use of Singapore’s premier guitar ensembles. Its concert – organised as part of the NUS Arts and abuse. (1971, October 12). annual public concerts often feature Abishega- Festival – on 23 March 2007, Abisheganaden’s New Nation, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG naden’s original compositions and music that compositions were performed by an ensemble of he has transcribed for the guitar. more than 50 guitarists from GENUS in honour These works reflect Abisheganaden’s of its founder. In the years that followed, Abishe- personality and musical style: he enjoys taking ganaden continued to score church hymns and a popular ASEAN song, arranging it into a style teach classical guitar at various schools. He suitable for the guitar ensemble, and then teach- even explored teaching the ukulele. ing it to his students. Some notable examples Now in his 90s, Abisheganaden continues include the Tagalog song “Anak” written by to have an unbridled enthusiasm for music Filipino musician Freddie Aguilar; “The Pursuit” and life. His generous spirit and winsome composed by local music legend Dick Lee and personality endear him to many, and his legacy popularised by the late Cantopop singer Leslie and generosity remain etched in the hearts of

62 63 BIBLIOASIA APR – JUN 2017

the numerous lives he has touched, many of Bernard Tan Tiong Gie, a critically acclaimed Notes whom still make the effort to keep in contact Singaporean composer and professor of phys- 1 Tan, B. L. (Interviewer). (1995, March 9). Oral history interview with the legend. Having taught and nurtured ics at NUS describes Abisheganaden as the with Alex Abisheganaden generations of students, his protégés continue ­“quintessential musician's musician – always [Transcript of recording no. to keep the flame of guitar-playing and his love young at heart and ever generous with his 001461/11/01, p. 3]. Retrieved from for music alive. immense talents”.3 National Archives of Singapore website. ONE HUNDRED YEARS’ 2 Telephone correspondence with Jacintha Abisheganaden, daughter of Alex Abisheganaden, on 24 the abisheganaden collection highlights January 2017. Among the items Alex Abisheganaden donated rearranged for the guitar orchestra by Alex 3 Email correspondence with Bernard Tan Tiong Gie, a prolific to the National Library are his handwritten Abisheganaden, and performed at “ASEAN Ser- HISTORY OF THE and acclaimed local composer and scores, pedagogical notes on teaching the enade: An Evening of Music, Song, Dance and a friend of Alex Abisheganaden, on guitar as well as his private collection of Poetry” concert held at the Esplanade in July 19 January 2017. books on the double bass, guitar ensemble 2008. The piece was a collaboration between and choral singing. In view of copyright re- GENUS and the NUS Thai Music Ensemble. strictions, only the handwritten materials CHINESE have been digitised and made accessible on Teachers Day Song: Our Teachers, Our MusicSG – Singapore’s premier digital music ­Mentors, Our Friends (undated) archive (http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/music). (Call no.: RCLOS 782.0095957 ABI-[AA]) His other donated materials are available for This song was written by Alex Abisheganaden reference at the Lee Kong Chian Reference for the Ministry of Education to celebrate IN SINGAPORE Library and the Library@Esplanade. Teachers’ Day in schools throughout Singa- Here is a selection of original handwrit- pore. Sung to the tune of “Tennessee Waltz” ten scores donated by Abisheganaden. by Pee Wee King, the title encapsulates the deep relationship between students and THE ANNOTATED edition Afternoon with Alex Abisheganaden (2010) their teachers. (Call no.: RCLOS 787.870922 AFT-[AA]) This is a bound publication of handwritten The Life of Christ: Aframerican Folk Song pedagogy notes that Alex Abisheganaden Cycle (undated) (Call no.: RCLOS 787.87 used to train guitarists for Christian worship HAY-[AA]) ministry. It contains photocopies of certificates This is an excerpt from “The Life of Christ”, of proficiency that Abisheganaden received in an Aframerican folk song compiled by Roland guitar, voice and bass training. Hayes and arranged for solo classical guitar by Alex Abisheganaden. Eleven September Two Thousand and One SONG ONG SIANG (2002)(Call no.: RCLOS 781.095957 ELE-[AA]) Three Cities Suite: Johor – S’pore – Batam Conceptualised and arranged by Alex Abishe- (undated) (Call no.: RCLOS 784.1858 THR-[AA]) ganaden, this work was inspired by the after- Alex Abisheganaden composed this piece of math of the 2011 terrorist attacks. It includes music, which was inspired by the Japanese two sets of draft summary text on Singapore’s Occupation of Singapore (1942–45). It is a re- history and development since 1819. The work flective piece on the incursion by the Japanese comprises arrangements for “Sumatera”, military as they advanced into Southeast Asia “Singapore”, “God Save the King”, “Negara in the early 1940s. It begins with a nostalgic Ku”, “Count on Me Singapore” and “Let There feeling of loss and despair that gradually builds be Peace on Earth”. The piece was performed up into a frenzy before ending on a patriotic by GENUS in a concert in 2002. high inspired by the National Day song, “Count on Me Singapore”. Announcing a new publication by the National Library Board that takes the Friends (1983) (Call no.: RCLOS 787.87 ABI-[AA]) Alex Abisheganaden wrote “Friends” in 1983, Yaaka Hula Hickey Dula Prime Ensemble classic 1923 text and updates it with annotations and recent research on the in memory of a dear friend who had passed Version with Steel Guitar Percussion & Etc lives and times of various Chinese personalities in early Singapore. away. The music is based on the popular ballad (undated) (Call no.: RCLOS 787.87 GOE-[AA]) “Danny Boy” (sung to the tune of “Londonderry Composed by Ray Goetz, Joe Young and Pete http://bit.ly/2jzQiGo Air”) that he had rearranged. “Friends” was Wendling, this arrangement by Alex Abishe- Visit BookSG at to read the digital copy. performed at a GENUS concert in the 1990s ganaden features the steel-pedal guitar for a with a narrative by Abisheganaden. Hawaiian-like effect. It was an encore piece for the 1995 GENUS concert. Loy Krathong: Thai Ethnic Traditional ­Arrangement for ASEAN Selector II (1999) (Call no.: RCLOS 787.87 LOY-[AA]) We invite the public to participate and enrich this book by contributing relevant The popular Thai Song “Loy Krathong” was information and photographs on the Citizen Archivist website at: www.nas.gov.sg/citizenarchivist 64