A Vibrant Community
- Vivien L.
- Jun 28, 2017
- 6 min read
Singapore is just a tiny red dot on the world's map, but it comprises of such a rich diverse mix of population. More than just the typical ethnic races of Chinese, Malays and Indians, we all come with a rich background heritage. Borne and grown up in Singapore (a full breed Singaporean of course), I've never quite understood the significance of the various Malay festivals until I thought it might just be worth the effort to explore deeper...
In case you are wondering what does Salam Aidifitri mean:
Salam is a common greeting in many Arabic-speaking and Muslim countries that simply denotes “peace”. When a Muslim says Salam to you, he/she means for “peace to be unto you”.
Typically in Singapore and neighbouring countries, the act of Salam typically consists of a low bow of the head and body with the hand or fingers touching the forehead.
Aidifitri is the festival of Eid, known in Singapore as Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Hari Raya Puasa, which falls on the first day of Syawal, the 10th month of the Hijri (Islamic) calendar. It is a celebratory occasion following a month of fasting, which is known as Ramadan. The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan. The day of Eid, therefore, falls on the first day of the month of Syawal. The date for the start of any lunar Hijri month varies based on the observation of new moon by local religious authorities, so the exact day of celebration varies by locality
Besides celebration, Muslims believe that Eid presents an opportunity for a fresh start. Salam Aidilfitri. Maaf zahir dan batin is a typical Eid greeting in Singapore and neighbouring countries.
It means “Peaceful Greetings of Aidilfitri. I seek forgiveness from you in both the physical and spiritual sense.”
I'm definitely not a fan of crowds. Because I generally prefer quality to quantity, I can get a little edgy when I need to squeeze through my way to my specific destination. But then again, I just thought it might just be another experience to head to the popular crowded Geylang Serai Ramadhan Bazaar this June. Curiosity got the better out of me to discover its roots...
History of Geylang Serai
Geylang Serai is one of the oldest Malay settlements in Singapore. The significance of early Geylang Serai lies not in its architectural features but in its reputation as the Malay emporium of Singapore.
In the 1840s, some Orang Laut (sea nomads) settled on the bank of the Geylang River. The settlement expanded to the Geylang Serai area in the latter half of the 19th century. At the time, the rich Arab family of the Alsagoffs owned the large Perseverance Estate on which the extensive cultivation and growth of lemongrass plants led the settlement area to be known as Geylang Serai (serai meaning “lemongrass” in Malay). Some suggest that the name Geylang is a corruption of the Malay kilang, which means “press”, “mill” or “factory”.
In the early 1900s, after the failure of the lemongrass industry, the Malays and the Chinese farmers remained on the Alsagoff estate but turned to cultivating coconut, rubber and vegetables, as well as rearing poultry for a living.
By 1910, Singapore’s first tramline service had its eastern terminal at Geylang Serai. The landscape changed during the Japanese Occupation (1942–45) when people started planting tapioca, or ubi in Malay. Part of Geylang Serai then became known as Kampong Ubi.
After the war, Geylang Serai’s population increased and the uninhabited areas were gradually occupied. In the 1950s, when the better-off Chinese moved out of the area, more Malay people moved in and the population of Geylang Serai became predominantly Malay.
In 1965, Geylang Serai’s post-war makeover started with a $3.8 million redevelopment scheme; this was the Housing and Development Board (HDB)’s first project in the eastern side of Singapore.
This scheme produced the much loved Geylang Serai Market and Concourse and its surrounding flats (Blocks 1, 2, 3 and the low shop blocks 4 and 5). These buildings were completed 1963-66.
By the early 1980s, Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats, industrial estates of light industries, and modern shopping complexes had been completed. Along with the modernisation programme, the Singapore government decided to preserve the Malay cultural heritage. To this end, a one-hectare site called the Malay Village (bordering Sims Avenue, Geylang Serai and Geylang Road) was set aside to showcase a replica of a Malay kampong (village) and to promote traditional Malay handicraft and cultural activities.
The first major makeover from the 1960s to 1970s In the 1960s, Geylang Serai’s post-war makeover started with a $3.8 million redevelopment scheme; this was the Housing and Development Board (HDB)’s first project in the eastern side of Singapore. This scheme produced the much loved Geylang Serai Market and Concourse and its surrounding flats (Blocks 1, 2, 3 and the low shop blocks 4 and 5). These buildings were completed 1963-66.
In the 1970s, the State announced further plans to clear the suburban settlement of Geylang Serai. Following on quickly from this announcement, in 1975 came the last straw on the camel’s back — the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) was built, cutting the area in half and severing the internal street and road network of Geylang Serai.
On the land thus acquired, the authorities built very low-rise light industries workshop blocks in the 1980s. This sprawling area of one-storey workshop blocks, where once a large residential area was found, can still be seen today.
The bustle of Geylang Serai was in part also the result of its role as the transport hub serving the eastern half of the (colonial-era) urban planning district of Geylang; it also served another district indicated simply as ‘Malay Settlement’ (that is, the next-door neighbourhoods of Jalan Eunos and Kaki Bukit!).
And well, it's worth every effort and time. I simply love the interaction between people from all walks of life.
Even the traffic police needed to be present to direct traffic
What's so special and unique about Geylang Serai Bazaar?
Geylang Serai Bazaar is a perennial iconic feature in the month of Ramadhan.
The bazaar first started in Geylang, and now Ramadhan bazaars are commonly found in other areas of Singapore such as Woodlands and Tampines.
The bazaar has indeed evolved throughout the years so as to cater to the different crowds.
Demographics of Geylang Serai Bazaar: A growing diverse crowd
Muslim visitors throng the Geylang bazaar mainly to shop for clothes, cookies and home accessories in preparation for Eid. Visitors generally swing by to soak up the festive atmosphere and try the variety of unique food items.
Its popularity has also grown beyond the shores of Singapore and is patronised by Malay tourists from Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
Geylang Serai Bazaar 2017
The Geylang Serai Bazaar took place from 25 May to 25 June 2017.
The 2017 edition of the pasar malam ran during the month of Ramadan. The bazaar featured over 1,000 stores selling new snacks including candy floss burritos, “poke bowls” and “rainbow planet” ice cream buns. It was definitely bigger and had a greater variety of interesting food than last year’s. Colourful concoctions, rainbow, unicorn, cheese and Thai tea seem to be the dominant themes at the latest Bazaar Ramadan @ Geylang Serai. The traditional Malay local street food is still available aplenty..
What is a Bazaar without food, especially in a food-paradise nation?
A recent phenomenon has swept through the Geylang Serai Ramadan bazaar in recent years: hipster food creations sharing space side-by-side next to traditional Malay culture.
While this has injected new life and buzz in the bazaars, something peculiar is happening: many patrons queuing up eagerly to sample these treats for Instagram moments, and ignoring what makes the Ramadan bazaar different from others – an introduction into Malay culture.
And the Kebab!
The craze for Thai Milk Tea
Mehndi or "Mehendi" is a form of body art from Ancient India, in which decorative designs are created on a person's body, using a paste, created from the powdered dry leaves of the henna plant (Lawsonia inermis). There are many variations and types in mehndi designs which are categorized, such as Arabic mehndi designs, Indian mehndi designs,and Pakistani mehndi designs.
The beauty of various accessories...
The bazaar also included games entertainment!
And of course, new clothes!
Location of Geylang Serai Hari Raya Bazaar 2017
Stalls lined both sides of Geylang Road and Changi Road, from the Joo Chiat Road junction to the Tanjong Katong Road junction, as well as stretches of Sims Avenue and a few of the side lanes. The stalls continued, even outside some malls - One KM Mall, Tanjong Katong Complex and even City Plaza.
What's the future of Geylang Serai?
A new civic centre with a working name“Wisma Geylang Serai” will become a key attraction for nearby residents andvisitors. Sited next to the Geylang Serai Market, the civic centre will house theGeylang Serai Community Club, theSouth East Community DevelopmentCouncil, a Malay Heritage Gallery andMalay arts groups that will engage the Malay community, as well as other races in Singapore. To provide a vibrant staging ground for both cultural and community events, there will be a2,000 sqm civic plaza in front of the civic centre.
Comments