Culture
The Origin Stories of Keramat Kusu
Pilgrimages to the keramat on Kusu Island have been going on since the mid-19th century.
Singapore’s Stone Tools
Stone tools have been found in and around Singapore since the late 19th century. Much about them remains a mystery.
The Divine Lance: Thaipusam and Murugan Worship in Singapore
Thaipusam speaks of a migratory community that carries its deep-rooted cultural tradition wherever its people go.
Maiden Lim and Her Sisters: Taoist Folk Goddesses of Singapore
The local Taoist pantheon includes goddesses only found in Singapore, such as Lin Guniang, Lei Niangniang and Huang Guniang.
Theemithi’s Full Cycle: A look at the Rituals Behind the Festival of Firewalking
Theemithi is much more than just the firewalking festival. It is a cycle of rituals that involves the re-enactment of events from the Mahabharatam over several months.
Beneath the Glitz and Glamour: The Untold Story of the “Lancing” Girls
These cabaret girls were better known for their risqué stage shows, but some also donated generously to charity. Adeline Foo uncovers these women with hearts of gold.
Malay-Muslim Weddings: Keeping Up with the Times
Customs and traditions change over time. Asrina Tanuri and Nadya Suradi trace how Malay-Muslim weddings in Singapore have evolved since the 1950s.
The Borobudur, Mysterious Gold Plates and Singing Maps
Unsolved historical puzzles from Southeast Asia are key elements of the recently published thriller The Java Enigma by debut novelist Erni Salleh.
A Bite of History: Betel Chewing in Singapore
Fiona Lim and Geoffrey Pakiam look at this time-honoured tradition – once a mainstay in Malay, Indian and Peranakan homes – that has since fallen out of fashion.
In Search of the Seven Sisters Festival
This time-honoured festival has left no tangible trace of its observance in Singapore. Tan Chui Hua pieces together oral history interviews to reconstruct its proper place in Chinese culture.
The Chinese Spirit-Medium: Ancient Rituals and Practices in a Modern World
Margaret Chan examines the fascinating world of tangki worship and explains the symbolism behind its elaborate rituals.
Navaratri Golu: The Hindu Festival of Dolls
Celebrated by Hindus of South Indian origins, the Golu festival is a lively melange of colourful dolls, womenhood and spirituality. Anasuya Soundararajan shares with us its origins.
When Disco Fever Raged
Pulsating music, strobe lights and postage-stamp dance floors packed with shimmying bodies. Tan Chui Hua gives you the lowdown on the history of the disco scene in Singapore.