Issue

Oct–Dec 2022

1 October 2022

The firewalking festival and other stories in BiblioAsia Volume 18, Issue 3

Theemithi, the firewalking festival, takes place a week before Deepavali (on a Sunday). In the cover story, read all about the associated cycle of rituals held over a three-month period before the festival.

Magazine cover titled "biblioasia" featuring a colorful statue with a garland and the text "A Closer Look at Theemithi."

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Director's Note

Theemithi’s Full Cycle: A look at the Rituals Behind the Festival of Firewalking
Theemithi is a cycle of rituals that involves the re-enactment of events from the Mahabharatam over several months. Nalina Gopal. (PDF) (opens in new tab)

My Grandfather Was a Rōmusha
Asian labourers known as rōmusha helped to build the Thai-Burma Railway during World War II. Shirlene Noordin. (PDF) (opens in new tab)

From Sarong Island with Love: Singapore’s Original Tourist Isle
Before there was Sentosa, there was Sarong Island. Lim Tin Seng. (PDF) (opens in new tab)

Johor at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair
The full story behind how Johor ended up exhibiting at the Chicago World’s Fair at the end of the 19th century. Faris Joraimi. (PDF) (opens in new tab)

The Early Days of Family Planning in Singapore
Singapore’s family planning programme did not start with the “Stop at Two” policy in 1972. Andrea Kee. (PDF) (opens in new tab)

The Making of the Monetary Authority of Singapore: How the MAS Became Singapore’s Central Bank
MAS took 30 years before it officially became an official central bank. Barbara Quek. (PDF) (opens in new tab)

Union Book Stands Tall At 70
Located in Bras Basah Complex, the Chinese bookstore has played an important role in the development of the Chinese literary scene. Chen Yuxin. (PDF) (opens in new tab)

Cold War Rivalries Fuel Propaganda Battle in Singapore in the 1940s and 1950s
After World War II, Singapore was a battleground for ideological conflict between the Soviet Union and the United States. Chow Chia Yung. (PDF) (opens in new tab)

Loke Wan Tho: The Man Who Built Cathay
Loke Wan Tho was not your typical business tycoon. The film magnate behind Cathay was also an avid photographer of birds. Bonny Tan. (PDF) (opens in new tab)