Are we patronisers of Singapore History?

The heritage trail has exposed many things for me as a student. Important facts and ideas that I wasn’t exposed to in school was out in the open for me. Through sculptures, paintings, preserved buildings I was not only able to form my own assumptions and justify them but also was able to challenge preconceived notions about Singapore with ease. This trail also made me realise that our education, especially Singapore’s History at Pre-University level, is taught in a very limited and narrow scope. As students we aren’t really exposed to a lot of stuff and we are not allowed to challenge assumptions, specifically that about Singapore’s formation and its survival before 1819.

I definitely learnt a lot more things about Singapore. As a history student however, I was able to put things together and form my own thoughts about the birth of Singapore. One aspect of this trial that I found was exceptionally interesting was the meanings behind the architectural structure

1. Architecture

The architectural structure of the buildings in Singapore gives a glimpse of what life in Pre-1819 Singapore was like. They often had various meanings behind it, unlike today. Take for example; such structures would reflect one’s vocation, wealth and economic status and sometimes even the particular group of dialect or race that the person belongs to.

Certain buildings also show how specific groups of people had allocated areas for them. Take for example, the Chinese on the east and the Indians on the west. On a closer inspection we do see remnants of evidences to show how communication and trade was made possible back then.

Another notion is that such architectural structures are preserved to educate the young about the history of our culture, how Singapore evolved and somehow to justify that was a Singapore before 1819. However, only popular historical sites and buildings are often harped upon for they more clearly represent and portray the formation of Singapore, the maintenance of its legislative system and how it evolved to become the First World Nation that it is today. This shadows other less known places which I feel are more rich in offering an in-depth analysis of what kind of country Singapore was like. Furthermore, it is these places that clearly represent why certain dialect groups and certain races are often linked with specific vocations and even specific streets and places of Singapore. We aren’t really exposed to such interesting facts and notions in our curriculums, rather what is often stressed upon in our education is how Singapore was formed.

We do need a new approach to the teaching of Singapore History. It shouldn’t just be a one sided narration which encourages nothing more than blind acceptance of our history but rather students should be exposed to such interesting aspects of Singapore which allows them to analyse, question and evaluate for themselves whether the stories told by our grandparents is really true and whether Singapore really reflects the slanted narration in our textbooks. History students and teachers shouldn’t just be mere patronisers of our History but rather analysers and critiques of it.


Jasmine

More than just a stupid white statue

Reflections by Izzan

Many times when people ask us about Singapore history, I seem to recall only one name coming up that is of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles. Yet on our way through our heritage trail, we came up upon many people and parts of Singapore history that not many people seem to notice today. While people are familiar with the Merlion and Raffles Landing Statue, not many others are well known. The 6 bridges consisting of Anderson, Cavenagh, Read, Ord, Elgin and Coleman were all named after well-respected officials which all were important figures of Singapore History.

All along the Singapore River, there are many different figurines ranging from the Kucinta Cats to coolies interacting with merchants. While all these people do not seem to have an important part in Singapore history, they represent the life and culture of people during that time. They show a part of Singapore that had come before and after Raffles had landed and are probably the forefathers of most of us today.

One thing that strikes all of us on our trail was how much history there was to this tiny island of nearly 200 years of history from the first time Raffles landed upon the island. I think that present people of our country should learn more about our past and bring it forth to future generations so that not only do we preserve a part of our history in all of us, but we identify with it as well and remembered how it was more than just one man at the right time who gave birth to Singapore

Jace's reflection

On the heritage trail of the Singapore river, I have gained many new insights about Singapore in the past. I was rather amazed by the history of the many bridges that we saw along the way, like that of the Cavenagh bridge, dating back to 1869. I may have walked past this part of Singapore many times but it never crossed my mind to probe the reasons for the infrastructure or its existence.

What I found especially interesting was that Cavenagh Bridge was built with a mistake, that is – its arch was too low and boats could only pass during low tides. In addition, I learnt about the significance to the various sculptures along Singapore River and what it embodies. To the unknown, these sculptures may just be mere pieces of art, but after learning about the history of it, the sculptures took on new significance.

An example, ‘The River Merchants’ near the Cavenagh Bridge is a reminder of the site of former godowns that Mr Alexander Laurie Johnston once owned. This provides an illustration of how river activities were like last time and it is merely one of the many that we encountered along the way.

Reflections by Ngiap Hui

I initially thought I had known Singapore rather well enough, especially her historical past, but realised I was rather wrong after having gone through this intensive and purposeful Heritage Trail. I did not know that the Singapore River was that long. I did not know the existence of the 6 bridges across the river and also the names they bore which some appeared so foreign to me during the trail (Read and Ord Bridge). It took our group about 5 hrs to complete our trail and surely it was one of the longest walks in my life, but quite fun and enriching given that knowledge and awareness were acquired along the journey (the time capsule and the locations of various interesting statues etc). I appreciate this arrangement for the groups to embark on this learning journey which was tailored but not imposing on the dimensions and possibilities for us to learn. Had it been a classroom-based lesson, I suppose many of us would have been bored to death or switched off before we could absorb everything.

Apart from some fun garnered from the trip, I was also inspired on the future possible History lesson I could conduct for my students. Although it won't be that easy to get them to embark on their own Heritage Trails, this idea is still a possibility requiring some arrangements though. The blogging idea is good also, given that students are given the freedom to present their findings anyway they like and could, and which is accessible to all. Surely not every knowledge could be acquired in the classroom. There are definitely some which may be learned more effectively if we were to bring them out of the 4 walls and boundary to explore the historical wealth that lays beyond.

References

Uniquely Singapore - Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay. (2009). Retrieved February 15, 2009, from http://www.visitsingapore.com/publish/stbportal/en/home/what_to_see/landmarks_and_memorials/esplanade.html

Uniquely Singapore - Merlion Park. (2009). Retrieved February 15, 2009, from http://www.visitsingapore.com/publish/stbportal/en/home/what_to_see/landmarks_and_memorials/merlion_park.html

Asian Civilizations Museum

The gallery on the second floor gave an insightful view on the history of the Singapore River for our group which consisted of Jasmine, Ngiap, Jacelyn and I. The Singapore River is portrayed through photographs of the landscape and people, artefacts of trading goods as well as audio and video clips. It gives the history of the Singapore River dating back to the 1300s.

Make your way to Raffles’ Landing Site and keep an eye open for:

From Chettiars to Financiers- a sculpture depicting the history of loans or money lending in Singapore

The Great Emporium- a sculpture depicting how trading was done in the old days of Singapore history.

Raffles Landing Site

The landing site of Raffles is marked by his statue created by a British sculptor named Thomas Woolner. It is found alongside the Singapore River close to Victoria Concert Hall though it was originally erected at the Padang. The statue symbolizes that Raffles was not only the one who founded Singapore but created it as well. The history of Singapore is seen as a nation who was founded by a colonizer in the 1819s and any other history predating that is deemed unknown or irrelevant.

Cavenagh Bridge

• The bridge was named after Major-General William Orfuer Cavenagh (1859-1867)
  
  
• I think that it should not be named after our local heroes as it is a part of our past and should remain the same to honour its history. However the bridge can also be given another name, rather than be renamed, that of our local heroes such as Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.
  
  
• There is a secret to the bridge and that is, its low arch prevented boats to pass underneath it and only in low tide is that possible

Singapore 2015 Time Capsule

The time capsule which is to be opened in 2015 is located at the grass patch in between Cavenagh Bridge and the Asian Civilisations Museum.

Kucinta Cats

A group of tabby cats seen next to the Cavenagh Bridge. These cats are believed to be indigineous to the region.

First Generation

I think it is to a certian extent that their life were carefree then. Life was hard and tough in those days but as children, they did not have many responsibilities so it was a little carefree for them.

The Fullerton Hotel

It was built in 1928 and cost around 4 million dollars. It was the largest building in Singapore. It was built on a former military garrison called Ford Fullerton in 1829 and had house many government agencies and companies such as the General Post Office before turning into a hotel.

Fullerton Square which is the open area outside the hotel was home to many election rallies in the 1980s with speakers like Lee Kuan Yew. The information boards also gives information upon the famous and respected individuals of those times such as Joseph Conrad.

Merlion Park

The Merlion is a statue created by Lim Nang Seng in 1972. It is a statue that has a lion’s head and a body of the fish, standing 8.6 metres in height and weighing 70 tonnes. Initially, it was created as an emblem for the Singapore Tourism Board in 1964.

The lion’s head was to signify the lion that Sang Nila Utama spotted when he came upon Singapore as noted in the Sejarah Melayu (the Malay Annals). The body of the fish on the other hand represents how ancient Singapore was in fact a fishing village and was known as Temasek, meaning sea in Javanese. The Merlion was designed by Mr Fraser Brunner, a curator of the Van Kleef Aquarium.

The Merlion was originally located by the Esplanade Bridge but is now relocated 120m away, adjacent to one Fullerton. The installation ceremony took place in 1975 which was officiated by Senior Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kwan Yew.

A smaller Merlion Statue was also built by Lim Nang Seng, measuring 2 metres in height and weighing 3 tonnes.

The Esplanade

Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay is known more fondly to Singaporeans as the “durians”. This is due to the exterior of a “spiky dome shaped building”. It is situated by the Marina Bay at the mouth of the Singapore River.

The original Esplanade is in fact a park that was built in 1943 along Connaught Drive. A master plan for an arts centre in 1985 revealed that Esplanade was to be the site that the arts centre would be built upon.

Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay was officially 12 October 2002, aimed to position Singapore as a regional hub for the Arts. Singapore’s “world class performance centre” was built at the cost of $600 million, consisting of 1,600-concert seat concert hall, a 2,000 seat theatre and several recital rooms, theatre and rehearsal studios, as well as outdoor performing spaces.

I think that Singapore is taking a step moving towards a cultured society with the Esplanade- theatres on the bay being built but it does not equate Singapore being a cultured society. It merely shows that the government is now recognising the importance of the Arts scene in Singapore. However, I believe that in the long run, it does help educate the masses. The Esplanade has a variety of programmes aimed to cater to a diverse audience. It has programmes of different genre with special emphasis on the Asian culture.

Fullerton Waterboat House

In 1919, the Fullerton Waterboat House was built on the site of the Master Attendent’s office. He was the most senior harbour officer who managed all harbour activities. From 1960 to 1990, it was used by the Port of Singapore Authority to sell fresh water to ships anchored in the harbour. Now, it is conserved and used as restaurants and also has a souvenir shop.

Raffles' Town Plan Information Board

In 1819, before Raffles had left he had given instructions to Farquhar on how land could be allocated in town. However, this was not done and Raffles set up a planning town committee made up of Captain Davis, George Bonham, a civil servant and A. L. Johnston, a leading merchant. The surveyor Lieutenant Philip Jackson was recruited to draw up the first Singapore Town Plan. There was an emphasised on harmony, efficiency and good sanitation the town.

This was done so as to prevent the same scenario, similar to that of Georgetown Penang from reoccurring. They did not want the place to develop separately like in India which eventually resulted in poor living conditions for the people. Adapting the Indian colonial plan, a fort was also built in Singapore which is known to us as Fort Canning Park.

The main purpose of the town plan was aimed at curbing disorderly growth of the settlement. The Singapore River is used as a natural boundary used to divide the ethinic zone. The North Bank was allocated for government use while the South Bank was allocated for finance and commercial use.

The layout for street was clearly stated and design of the buildings was also included. Kampong Glam was allocated the Malays, Bugis, Javanese and Arabs as the Sultan’s palace was allocated there. Intially, Telok Ayer was allocated to the Chinese but due ito the increase in population of the Chinese immigrants, more space had to be allocated to the them like, Kreta Ayer, Tanjong Pagar and Bukit Pasoh. The Indians was allocated to Kampong Chulia and was given more space.

The River Merchants

This sculpture shows a merchant interacting with local coolies carrying goods on their bullock cart. This man was one of Singapore's earliest merchants, Mr Alexander Laurie Johnston. The sculpture is placed at the site of the former godowns owned by Mr Johnston.

"Bird"

Along the river promenade, a sculpture of a bird by famous South American sculptor, Fernando Botero can be seen. It is associated with peace and serenity. It symbolises the joy of living and power of optimism. The sculpture allows one the pleasure of caressing reality. What the sculptor wants to share is the sensual complicity of his sculpture.

Boat Quay

Once known as the flourishing stop for business for immigrants and travellers, the exchange point for the trading of goods and services, and the stop point for refreshment for overseas travellers Boat Quay accounted for up to 75% of Singapore’s shipping business by the 1860s. However, if one was to walk the streets of Boat Quay today, there would be no reminisce of the trading port that this place formerly used to be, except for the occasional passing by of boats and scattered artworks and sculptures depicting the trading activities that were prominent once.

The starting point for Singapore’s trading port and business hub, Boat Quay is now a hot spot among expatriates for chilling out. The south side of the Boat Quay River which was previously crowded by shop houses and run mainly by small wholesalers, it is now filled with bars, pubs, small scale seafood eateries and waterfront restaurants.

At this station we were supposed to look out for particular units, No 31 and No 45C. Number 31 housed the ‘Dallas Restaurant and Bar’ whereas Number 45C was ‘The Aluminium Corporation’. Little did we know that Number 31 was the previous premise for the Gambier and Pepper Society (monopolised by the Teochews) and that Number 45C used to be the headquarters of the Rubber Trade Association (dominated by the Hokkiens). Both Rubber and Gambier (a plant used to treat diarrhoea and dysentery) were prominent and important commodities of trade in the export market back then.

Did you know?

However my group and I did realise that the shop houses were of different heights. There was a reason to the height difference of the shop houses and the reason was parallel to that of the social and economic status of the owners of the shop houses. The higher the height of the building the wealthier and more profitable the business was. Take for example, unit 45C was a three levelled shop house where as unit 31 was a single level shop house probably an indication that the Rubber trade was more profitable than the Gambier trade at that time.

There was a reason as to why this particular area (the south side of the Boat Quay River) was concentrated with many lighters, shop houses, godowns and wholesalers’ offices. The south side of Boat Quay River resembled the belly of a carp which according to Chinese beliefs was a sign of prosperity and wealth hence accounting for the overcrowding of shop houses along this particular area.

Bum Boat Tours

It was also at this station that we were supposed to look at the bumboats/lighters that are a common sight at Boat Quay. Bumboats, formerly a method of both transportation and communication for traders, it is now merely a favourite tourist ride.

1. The River trade was commonly dominated by the Chulias (Indian Muslims), however they were soon displaced by the Teochews and Hokkiens.
2. The bumboats - small and much lighter in weight compared to other boats are often scrutinised by the foreign tourists for its seaworthiness and safety reasons. However, not many realise that the size of the bumboats are actually a symbol to the depth of the Singapore River. It was because the River wasn’t deep enough for large ships to ferry goods and services, that small bumboats and lighters were made instead.
3. ‘Eye see you’. Though we didn’t notice this feature on the river boats initially we did realise thereafter that ‘eyes’ were painted on the bows of these river boats to individualise itself from rival boats. Take for example the Hokkiens had on their river boats painted ‘green eyes’ whereas the Teochews had ‘red eyes’.
4. While some owners looked at the ‘eyes’ as a decorative purpose a few others who were more superstitious refused to ride without the ‘eyes’ for it both helped them and the boat to ‘see’ where they were headed towards.
5. It was also an indicator of the overloading of goods. Back then, if the water level was higher than and covering the ‘eye’ the owner would take it as a sign of overload of goods.
6. It is on this bumboat ride, that one can see many artwork statues mounted along the sideways of Boat Quay – each representing a different trade and each having a story to tell.
7. Most of these bumboats and lighters were removed by 1983 due to the government’s efforts to clean up the Singapore River.

Elgin Bridge

A short walk further down led us to the Elgin Bridge. , Formerly serving as the only bridge that one could use to cross over to the Singapore River, it is now one of the many bridges along the Singapore River. This bridge was named after Lord James Bruce Elgin, a former viceroy and the Governor-General of India (1862-1863), the 8th Earl of Elgin specially for having imported the iron bridge from Calcutta.

At the end of the bridge one can see a cast iron lamp bearing a lion with the signature that reads, ‘Rodolpho Nolli’. Nolli is a renowned Italian sculptor whose artworks are prominent in City Hall and Tanjong Pagar Railway Station as well.


Did you know?

• This bridge acted as a path way which helped link the Chinese society who was populated at the South side of the river to the Indian society (mainly merchants) who were living at the high street of the North side of the river.
• The current structure was the Fifth structure, its name the Fifth name and its material the Third material and its construction the Ninth construction of this bridge.
• Firstly, it was a wooden footbridge that was initially named Presentment Bridge also known as Monkey Bridge for people required acuteness to get across the bridge due to its narrow nature. (1822-1842)
• It was also called the Jackson Bridge after Lieutenant P. Jackson built the bridge.
• Secondly, after the abolishment in 1842, a replacement wooden footbridge was built in 1844 designed by J.T Thomson and was thus named the Thomson Bridge. In 1845, it was widened in order to take in carriages.
• Thirdly, in 1862, the Thompson Bridge was replaced by the iron bridge imported form Calcutta. This bridge was now named after the Governor-General of India, Lord James Bruce Elgin as the Elgin Bridge.
• Fourthly, Due to the increasing business between the Chinese from the South side of the river and the Indians from the North side of the river, the bridge was widened yet again in the 1870s.
• In the 1880s, it was strengthened in order to make room for steam tramways.
  The first Elgin Bridge was demolished on 24 December 1926.

The New Parliament House

The Old Parliament House (National Monument)

Situated right behind the new Parliament House building and very near the Ancient Civilisations is the Old Parliament House. It is better known as the Arts House today, which nurtures and recognises upcoming talents by holding concerts, plays and art exhibitions continuing to contribute to the cutting edge cultural arts sector of Singapore.

Upon entering The Old Parliament house, my group mates and I were welcomed by an elephant structure below which there was an information board which explained its origination. This elephant structure was a gift from King Chulalongkorn of Siam (Thailand) to Singapore when he came down to visit in 1871. We were asked to check out the Corridors of Time on the 2nd floor of the Arts House, which we decide to give a miss. However, after asking around, we realised that the Corridors of Time as the name suggest was actually a walk down memory lane reliving the metamorphosis of The Arts House from a local chief’s house/mansion to a courthouse to a Parliament house and finally to an Arts House. It also pays tribute to Singapore’s prominent figures especially those who gave hand to the birth of our independent legislative system and constitution.

Did you know?

It was built by George Coleman in 1827 as a colonial mansion.

It is Singapore’s Oldest Historical Building, for it used to house the Temenggong’s home in 1827.

It was renamed and re-launched as The Arts House.

Coleman Bridge

Coleman Bridge was designed by George Drumgold Coleman (1795-1844), an Irish architect and also Singapore’s first architect and hence the bridge was named to commemorate him. The original bridge was completed in 1840 and was rebuilt several times using brick before the concrete bridge was completed in 1986. The Coleman Bridge was the second bridge built across the Singapore River and the first built in masonry.

The function of the bridge was to serve as a vehicular bridge that connects Hill Street and New Bridge Road and it was also being referred to as being the New Bridge, owing the name to New Bridge Road. In 1865, a timber bridge replaced the brick bridge but because of the poor construction, an iron bridge replaced the wood bridge in 1886. In 1986, a concrete bridge eventually replaced the iron bridge but several features of the iron bridge such as the decorative lamp posts and iron railings were incorporated into the current structure, in recognition of its historical significance.

Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts

The present day MICA used to be a police station built in 1934 and was considered as the latest government building at that time. It was known as the Old Hill Street Police Station (OHSPS). It was gazetted as a national monument in 1998 and transformed into comfortable and lively premises for MICA. MICA moved from PSA Building to MICA Building in 2000. The building also houses National Arts Council, National Heritage Board, Media Development Authority and Singapore Kindness Movement. Here are some interesting facts about MICA.

1. Between 1845 and 1856, the Assembly Rooms - a space for public functions and a building that housed a theatre and a school - occupied this site.
   
   
2. Upon its completion in 1934, it was the largest government building and regarded as a modern skyscraper.
   
   
   
3. To provide vehicular access behind the building, the steep slopes of Fort Canning had to be cut back and shored up.
   
   
4. There are 911 windows of various colours like yellow, red, green and blue. 911 coincide with the emergency number in the US.

Source: Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts homepage

At the Heritage Gallery, we saw a mini exhibit displaying paints, art works and even a painter servicing the public with his on site portrait. It was the first visit to the MICA building for all members of our group and it was quite a unique experience. It was a monument bearing so much of our History, yet modern architecture concealed its age.

Clarke Quay

Clarke Quay used to be a fresh water distribution point in the first half of the 19th century, and it is located between Boat Quay and Robertson Quay. It was named after Sir Andrew Clarke who was the Governor of the Straits Settlement from 1873-1875. This place used to have godowns and warehouses where coolies carried heavy loads of cargo from the bumboats into those godowns.

Eventually, Clarke Quay became the warehouse centre of Singapore’s entrepot trade. Today, the structure of the low buildings remains and the area was converted into Singapore’s fame night spot where wining, dining and partying took form. Just a century and more ago, this was where our forefathers toiled and fought for survival. The function of the area may have changed, but the history remains embedded.

We went on the search for The Cannery, River House and Whampoa’s Ice House and found the landmarks respectively.

The Cannery

It was named after the large number of pineapple factories that operated in Clarke Quay in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Now, it was converted into a collection of dining places like Fashion Bar, The Clinic, Yellow Jello Retro Bar etc.

River House

It used to be an elegant Chinese mansion which was built by gambier and pepper trader, Tan Yeok Nee in the 1880s. It bore the Southern China architectural style that was used to construct Chinese businessmen’s residences then. Today, it was converted into a club called Indo Chine.

Whampoa’s Ice House

This was a godown built by Whampoa and his business partner Gilbert Angus in 1854 and was used to store ice imported from Boston, USA. The building was eventually demolished due to the failure in the venture caused by insufficient demand of ice then. What replaced the site today was a bar called Bungy Bar, which is situated next to the G Max Ultimate Bungy.

Read Bridge

The area around Read Bridge used to be an entertainment spot for Chinese labourers who would gather on the bridge to listen to storytellers hence people often associated the unique name the bridge got itself to the reading of stories by storytellers in the past. However, coincidence it may be, the bridge was actually named after a prominent English merchant in the 1880s named William Henry Mcleod Read.

The Read Bridge was built in replacement of Merchant Bridge in 1889 as the latter was not built high enough to allow the passage of boats during high tide. As the area in the past was called Kampong Melaka, the Read Bridge was also known as the Melaka Bridge. This was because Kampong Melaka was a fuel hub where trading of firewood, charcoal and oil supplied from Melaka took place.

We tried to look for the oldest mosque in Singapore called Masjid Omar Kampong Melaka, which was built in 1820, but missed it due to time constraint. However, we do know that the mosque was named after Syed Omar bin Aljunied, an Arab merchant who used to live there. He became very successful during his time because of his shrewd business tactics and hence Aljunied was named after him.