Malay Culture And Traditions In Singapore
The three main ethnic groups are religiously and culturally diverse.
Malay culture and traditions in singapore. The centre s museum is a rich showcase of malay heritage and culture in singapore with historical artefacts interactive multimedia and colourful exhibits from singapore s national collection as well as contributions from the community. Most of the people of singapore are descendants of immigrants from the malay peninsula china the indian subcontinent and sri lanka. The original culture of the area stemmed from its indigenous tribes along with the malays who moved there in ancient times. While many malays have ancestors who came from other parts of the malay archipelago singapore does have a native ethnic malay community.
Learn more about kampong gelam as a thriving port town before sir stamford raffles arrival in 1819. The society of malaysia has been described as asia in miniature. Chinese malay indian and western influences are all palpable there making for a mix of traditions and local customs. Singapore is a multi ethnic society where chinese malay and indian traditions coexist beneath the veneer of a western cosmopolitan metropolis.
The malays are the indigenous ethnic group of singapore and not mere immigrants as suggested by this article. Substantial influence exists from the chinese and. While they have gradually acquired a distinct identity as singaporeans many still retain their customs practices and festivals in a mix of the modern and the traditional. Or find out about other malay cultures such as the seafaring bugis people many of whom were traders from the indonesian archipelago.
Traditionally malay houses in the villages kampung are constructed of wood timber and palm leaves attap. At the end of this period a ceremony called berchukor is conducted where the child s head is shaved. Malaysia is a multi ethnic multicultural and multilingual society and the many ethnic groups in malaysia maintain separate cultural identities. It is common in both malaysia and singapore culture.
And the muslim fasting month of ramadan is not in january february at least not every year. It is built on a platform that is raised on stilts. In singapore more than ten different religions are practiced however discrimination is still a prominent issue. The culture in singapore is defined by the different ethnic groups in the city state.