The Intangible Cultural Heritage Issue
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NO. 41 VOLUME 13 ISSUE 01 THE INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE ISSUE Did you know that people used to dig for remis (clams in Malay) on the shores of the eastern coast using their hands or wooden spatulas? For more stories about the east coast, explore the #BedokHeritageTrail at Roots.sg. FOREWORD ingapore may be a young nation, but the traditional, cultural and PUBLISHER religious practices that represent our diverse society reach deep into antiquity. Tese practices, both communal and individual, are key Selements of our Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). With Singapore having ratifed the UNESCO convention to safeguard ICH in 2018 and having National Heritage Board nominated Hawker Culture to the UNESCO Representative List of ICH, 61 Stamford Road, #03-08, Stamford Court, MUSE SG is launching a two-part series that uncovers the various ICH Singapore 178892 practices in Singapore. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER In this frst issue, the National Heritage Board has partnered with students Chang Hwee Nee from the National University of Singapore’s History Society to jointly explore DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE seven traditions and cultural practices in Singapore. Alvin Tan (Policy & Community) We begin the issue with an introduction that delves into the diferent forms MUSE SG TEAM Director, Education & Community Outreach of ICH and how these cultural expressions have, over time, become part of Wai Yin Pryke our cultural identity as Singaporeans. Moving on to our feature article on Malay dance, we examine the wide-ranging cultural and artistic traditions that Editors this genre encompasses. Having evolved from court and kampong as well as Norsaleen Salleh Stefanie Tam incorporating infuences from across the globe, innovation forms an intrinsic Nicholas Yeo part of this art form. Te theme of plurality is apparent too in our article on Eurasian cuisine, which shows how family, culture and community come DESIGN & LAYOUT together in delicious fashion. Oneplusone Te Workbench LLP Te historical depth and multicultural character of heritage practices in PHOTOGRAPHY Singapore is further underlined in our articles on Ayurveda and Catholic Alex Heng observations of the Easter Triduum. Ayurveda, drawing from the ancient Vedic COPYEDITING tradition, continues to be a holistic philosophy and a health management Alvin Chua, A Distillery option for Singaporeans of diferent ethnicities today. Likewise, during Easter, Catholics in Singapore join the worldwide Catholic community in PRINTING observing liturgical prayers and rituals that are steeped in tradition. Some Hobee Print Pte Ltd commemorations here, however, incorporate practices infuenced by Southeast Asian culture. In articles on the soya sauce industry and efgy-makers in Singapore, we focus on the often overlooked heritage of craft. In an era of mass production and fast-changing tastes, local soya sauce makers rely on the artisanal quality of their products, sustained by traditional methods and family-based brand heritage. Likewise, Say Tian Hng Buddha Shop, the last traditional maker of religious efgies in Singapore, keeps time-honoured craft methods and cultural transmission alive even as they fnd new ways of doing business. Finally, our article on songbird rearing takes a look at the Singaporean characteristics of a practice that has been popular across various eras and cultures All rights reserved. Views of writers and contributors do not necessarily refect the views of the Publisher. No part in world history. In Singapore, songbird rearing has taken its own form, with of this publication may be reproduced in any form or local methods of training and diet, and carefully honed criteria for competition. by any means without prior permission in writing from More than that, it has become a culture that emphasises community, with the Publisher and copyright owner. Whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy of the information in this regular sharing of tips and ideas, whether online or face to face. publication, the Publisher accepts no liability for damages by misinterpretation of information, expressed or implied, within the pages of the magazine. On behalf of the team at MUSE SG, we hope that you will fnd the articles informative and insightful, and we hope this issue may pique your curiosity to If you have any feedback, please email further explore Singapore’s multi-faceted ICH! [email protected] or go to www.nhb.gov.sg ©July 2020 NATIONAL HERITAGE BOARD MUSE SG TEAM ISSN: 2424-7766 1 CONTENTS 01 FOREWORD 04 12 SINGAPORE’S UMAMI INTANGIBLE MAGIC CULTURE HERITAGE Te role of living heritage Te soya sauce in the identity of a tradition in Singapore multicultural nation 20 30 REIMAGINING SONGBIRD MALAY DANCE REARING Community and tradition 38 50 EASTER IN RENEWED SINGAPORE Faith and heritage of the An exploration of Catholic community Eurasian food heritage 58 66 TECHNIQUE AND AYURVEDA TRADITION IN Holistic health EFFIGY-MAKING and healing 73 WRITERS FOR MUSE SG 2 04 12 20 30 38 50 58 66 3 Singapore’s Intangible Culture Heritage: The role of living heritage in the identity of a multicultural nation Text by Nicholas Yeo 01 Audiences enjoying a traditional drum performance as part of the 2017 Singapore Heritage Festival at Bukit Pasoh. Courtesy of National Heritage Board hat are the ties that bind Singapore, a metropolis and a young nation, with cultural traditions thousands of years old? HowW do Singaporeans, a people always primed for the future, connect with and continually redefne the practices of venerable religions and cultures brought from far-fung shores? Te answers lie in the humble prayers ofered up during Ramadan, Deepavali and other celebrations of faith, the eforts of ordinary families during the tomb-cleaning of Qing Ming, the deep dedication to craft and the arts inherent within dikir barat, as well as the making of heritage cuisines and other cultural practices. All of the above, and many other practices, are part of Singapore’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). ICH is the living, everyday heritage practised across the island by the varied communities in Singapore. Over the years, these forms of shared cultural expressions have evolved and adapted to our changing environment and have grown to be part of our cultural identity as Singaporeans, whether at a personal, communal or national level. How do we defne ICH? Who are the people and communities behind it, and what can be done to ensure these rich traditions of ours continue to be around for generations to come? Tis article, and this issue, will explore some of these ICH narratives, as well as the heritage practices that have helped defne us as a people. Understanding Intangible Cultural Heritage ICH was formally defned when UNESCO adopted the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2003. According to UNESCO, 01 ICH is defned as: The six categories of ICH in Singapore 02 03 Social Practices, Rituals Traditional Craftsmanship and Festive Events Traditional skills and knowledge involved in the Practices that help reafrm and strengthen the identity crafting of products that range from clothing and of those who practise them as a group, community, decorative art, to musical instruments and household or society at large. Often, these elements are closely objects. Examples in Singapore include the making of associated with important social, cultural or religious gold jewellery by Indian goldsmiths and the making events and may be practised or performed in private or of wood-fred pottery. in public. Examples in Singapore include Pongal and Hari Raya Haji. Knowledge and Practices Concerning Nature and the Universe Performing Arts Te knowledge, skills, practices and representations Forms of traditional creative activities and expressions that are derived from communities interacting with that include dance, theatre and instrumental music. the natural environment and the universe. Examples Examples in Singapore include various Indian dance in Singapore include Ayurveda and traditional forms and nanyin. Malay medicine. 6 “the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills – as well as the instruments, objects, artefacts and cultural spaces associated therewith – that communities, groups and individuals recognise as part of their cultural heritage”. It is “transmitted from generation to generation, is constantly recreated by communities and groups in response to their environment, their interaction with nature and their history, and provides them with a sense of identity and continuity, thus promoting respect for cultural diversity and human creativity”.1 On 22 February 2018, Singapore announced that it had ratifed the UNESCO 2003 convention and became a Member State to the convention. In doing so, Singapore committed itself to the safeguarding and promotion of its ICH for future generations. Since then, the nation has been on 02 From religious-based 03 Hari Raya Puasa sees a journey to raise awareness of our ICH through festivals like the Nine Muslim households various new initiatives, including the launch Emperor Gods festival coming together to 2 (top) to performing arts celebrate the end of Singapore’s ICH Inventory. Most recently, like wayang Peranakan of the fasting month (bottom), Singapore is of Ramadan. Some we nominated Hawker Culture in Singapore as home to a wide array households invite friends the nation’s frst item for inscription onto the of diverse and colourful or family of different ICH practices. ethnicities to partake UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Courtesy of National in the festivities. 3 Heritage Board Courtesy of National Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Heritage Board Currently, there are six categories of ICH in Singapore. Five categories followed the UNESCO convention’s defnitions, while Food Heritage was included as an additional category. Tis was added after a nationwide poll of over 3,000 respondents in 2018 named it as the most important aspect of Singapore’s ICH, a refection Oral Traditions and Expressions of our love of diverse cuisines. Traditions such as songs, folk tales and storytelling that use language to transmit knowledge and Adapting to challenges faced by ICH expresses one’s cultural values.