Showing posts with label Kampung spirit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kampung spirit. Show all posts

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Why It Matters: The disappearing kampung spirit



The final episode
PHOTO: The final episode "The Disappearing Kampung Spirit" brings us to the early days of Singapore, reminiscing the good old days when the neighbourhood used to be like one big family. The older generation who were familiar with kampung life most certainly would have fond memories of their childhood, living in wooden attap houses, drawing water from wells, catching spiders, chasing after snakes and other creatures.
PHOTO: The Straits Times
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYD1pcQ4Ams5_T7nELhAn09IUeqm0jawuFNAcJoPQNm2cbAxlGC8OGKrPggPEg3TgDClGT0PRMt8p3G6ljIzkyGnK6PyVzRcLgPFmyvbApHqdwqW_2MaDYo9Y85wpeifgPxrhR8yiX3Po8/s1600/20170422_kampung.jpg
http://www.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/640x360/public/original_images/Apr2017/20170422_kampung.jpg?itok=pVysnGls
http://www.asiaone.com/singapore/why-it-matters-disappearing-kampung-spirit
 
Is the kampung spirit dead?

The final episode "The Disappearing Kampung Spirit" brings you to the early days of Singapore, reminiscing the good old days when the neighbourhood used to be like one big family. The older generation who grew up in a kampung most certainly have fond memories of their childhood, living in wooden attap houses, chasing chickens in their backyards, leaving their doors unlocked...


Singapore's last traditional village, Kampong Buangkok
PHOTO: Singapore's last traditional village, Kampong Buangkok
The land in this area is worth millions but some of the landowners are refusing to part ways. Built in 1956, this is the last kampong left. [3]
That was a few years ago, fast forward to present 2017, the bread trees have grown and the empty pathway is covered with jungle vegetation. There is a PCN (Park Connector Network) in front the Kampung, planted with trees on both sides of the track. It is really wonderful to combine our healthy walking lifestyle on the PCN and at the same time has the classical view of the last kampung in Singapore. The kampung is only 400 meters long with about 28 families residing in lush greenery. If we have the steps tracker, it is about 550 foot steps along the PCN.
Picture posted by Belmont Lay, motherShip.sg on 17 June 2014
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HZ5bXFf3qYGMrai9aS60TQHTuB-PYIeGCSfKyLo_qkydgvBp28toYxrlqmthG0DIWgNU1rh2nlt_AcuP_TqrGYYRVubE3Nu7WBXKUYFQdLoNDWBgM7XUJOGkVtfvGmAihT7IN1VIFe39/s1600/kampong-buangkok-1.jpg
http://mothership.sg/wp-content/uploads/aws/mothershipfiles/Unexplored+places+Singapore/kampong-buangkok.jpg
http://mothership.sg/2014/06/11-places-in-spore-you-said-youd-explore-but-didnt-because-excuses/


Map of the Park Connector Network and the location of the kampung at Lorong Buangkok.
PHOTO: Among the first kampung house at the begining of the Punggol PCN leading to Sengang Riverside Park. It has now (May 2017) more banana plants and other fruit trees to its plot of plantation.
Picture posted by Stephanie on 10 August 2010
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8aVPf9M6eYnbWFz8AeqmKdc_blGRQhP9mVVqPPNfaSA5hlp3pUXVxZKa345GG_YamC_57L4Q-TpGu6JF4AWLtVtA3bs2LineV-wN8_V1gp9zNiy7hU_CzWF3qgc00HViluuVzDO8Iozg/s1600/img_8895e.jpg
https://timelessbeauty.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/img_8895e.jpg
PHOTO: Sometime there is aroma of traditional Malay Curry as early as 4:30 am in the morning. We can also have especially strong sweet scent of fresh jackfruits. Several kampung chickens can be seen running around under the trees.
Picture posted by Stephanie on 10 August 2010 [2]
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1E0iUEQRJc5DUds6c8uslJxh0ZMADWaBprGI0afYu4tCVxemNWILlpJLDocHYtFq1mzUB8r31xjeNxY-nXSiOZDo1rVJGV0geusKlXmVNcTm6lLTWOMuyMDmb7OaFLWX33QYskyx81SqI/s1600/img_8894e.jpg
https://timelessbeauty.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/img_8894e.jpg
https://timelessbeauty.wordpress.com/2010/08/10/kampong-lorong-buangkok/


Timeless beauty.
PHOTO: Timeless beauty. This type of environment never fail to attract the same fond feelings of our earlier days at Lorong Renjong. We can almost hear the early morning call of the rooster and the prayer of the Muslim mosque.
Picture posted by Stephanie on 10 August 2010 [2]
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkLbRnn3QmJ91cUr0ePPPDRI6N9wt8xFrYP86SPybmr80_aWDHRKX3wM3EluSr5KDqZDE3mpolOt8r461KNijXerhPlGtxmnGgZzjv7Vmf57ySnBq5fJ-2ff0R9C2PuVdnH-HwWp72yGa/s1600/img_8786e.jpg
https://timelessbeauty.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/img_8786e.jpg
https://timelessbeauty.wordpress.com/2010/08/10/kampong-lorong-buangkok/

Nowadays, most people live in great proximity with their neighbours but very few enjoy the same kind of close bonds that once ran deep in the kampungs.

How can Singaporeans revive the kampung spirit? Watch the 2 minutes animation to understand why it matters.

About "Why It Matters":

"Why It Matters"（关我什么事 Guān wǒ shén me shì） is one of 10 SPH-produced short form digital video series as part of a pilot Public Service Broadcast initiative. This 8-part animation series focuses on the sights and sounds that are gradually disappearing from this world, including languages, cultures, flora and fauna.

This series is also available on the zaobao.sg website and mobile app.


A lovely patio that overlooks a vast of lush greenery
PHOTO: A lovely patio (a paved outdoor area adjoining a house) that overlooks a vast of lush greenery
This was the type of path which we took to go to school and back home, with no lamp post. Then, we did not know how to appreciate the beauty of the vast greenery, which we had taken for granted to be everywhere.
Picture posted by Stephanie on 10 August 2010 [2]
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7duIOqg0U30anQEvEb_XKLK0DRQibO4IVsHGAD2nsX4frs1ClOHvWzJqdufZ1-JpgqrQ1a3cZ_scSAtuv6QYVCR4oZeSORxA-GfnS8kcPE9zVC8Pf43EaEyqcGC21yKHgN2uYG3XquZQd/s1600/img_8790e.jpg
https://timelessbeauty.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/img_8790e.jpg
https://timelessbeauty.wordpress.com/2010/08/10/kampong-lorong-buangkok/


There is not much cement concrete but full of plants, fruit trees, sugarcane and topioca plants, and grasses.
PHOTO: There is not much cement concrete but full of plants, fruit trees, sugarcane and topioca plants, and grasses. All the undisturbed greenery, quiet and peaceful environment, and so nice to stay. The domestic animals will perform guard duties while we do farming activities after back from school. There is a real setback - no TV, radio or Internet but full of mosquitoes.
Picture posted by Stephanie on 10 August 2010 [2]
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQQ1j2yNA7jRawOpBoEBAL_p_EmvwQlOWr8p_a_eksCQBrfFL7pC2leCug2cSj1i7CgcsirxskKtqJsQyCfBVWzZ-wH-6Gusu3CHsHjXd17seTlBY7en8d9Kg6C9gkARF3teFN7fVWatg/s1600/img_8854e.jpg
https://timelessbeauty.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/img_8854e.jpg
https://timelessbeauty.wordpress.com/2010/08/10/kampong-lorong-buangkok/

By Lianhe Zaobao, 23 April 2017



Reference
[1] Lianhe Zaobao, Why It Matters: The disappearing kampung spirit, posted on 23 April 2017, http://www.asiaone.com/singapore/why-it-matters-disappearing-kampung-spirit

[2] Stephanie, The girl at the traffic light junction (la vita e bella – life is beautiful), kampong lorong buangkok, Posted on 10 August 2010, https://timelessbeauty.wordpress.com/2010/08/10/kampong-lorong-buangkok/
Note: The National Library Board (NLB) invited her to pledge her blog to the Singapore Memory Project as part of efforts to collect memories, preserve and provide access to Singapore’s knowledge materials. Spearheaded by NLB, the SMP aims to build a national collection of content in diverse formats (including print, audio and video), to preserve them in digital form, and make them available for discovery and research.
For more, see responses to “About The Girl”, https://timelessbeauty.wordpress.com/2012-in-summary/

[3] Belmont Lay, Mothership.SG, 11 places in S’pore you said you’d explore but didn’t because excuses, posted on 17 June 2014, http://mothership.sg/2014/06/11-places-in-spore-you-said-youd-explore-but-didnt-because-excuses/

LINKS
Map - https://www.google.com.sg/maps/place/Gerald+Dr/@1.3842192,103.8751618,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!
zaobao.sg - http://zaobao.sg/

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Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Weekend spot for many, home to a few

My Paper, Tuesday, October 21, 2014, Page A8, Top Stories
From http://epaper.mypaper.sg/emnd/fvxen/fvxp/fvxpress.php?param=2014-10-21
Source Website: http://mypaper.sg/top-stories/weekend-spot-many-home-few-20141021
By Goh Wei Hao, mypaper, myp@sph.com.sg, Published on Oct 21, 2014


QUIET SPOT:
PHOTO: QUIET SPOT: Pulau Ubin, located off the north-eastern coast of Singapore, housed 2,000 villagers during its heyday. Now, just over 30 remain.
PHOTOS: LAWRENCE CHONG
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1iKqWi4w-NCYhQfmB2m0_eOFrE2EMRxzUnD0pMid9M2uWtpJI7JaBme5qLTvk5w_z7fSguPJvdTQSi2A50LnjX2kZvpmVWWBN0O4XVLk5DBvsDkX4f-gckHbGBAtAaCrKfUXM6AcQolA/s1600/MY_20141021_UBIN_P1_755343-1.jpg
http://mypaper.sg/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/20141021/MY_20141021_UBIN_P1_755343.jpg
http://mypaper.sg/top-stories/weekend-spot-many-home-few-20141021


TODAY, just over 30 villagers remain on the once bustling island - all of whom are elderly.

Pulau Ubin, located off the north-eastern coast of Singapore, housed 2,000 villagers during its heyday.

"People started leaving for Singapore and Malaysia to look for jobs when the ubin (Malay for granite) quarry closed," said Madam Tan, the daughter-in-law of the dead village chief.

These days, Madam Tan can be found sitting on the front porch of her two-storey home, where she lives alone. She spends most of her time planting crops, cleaning the house and playing with her dog.

On weekends, her three sons and two daughters come to visit.

"Whenever my children come, they will keep asking me to move in with them," she said.

She has resisted their overtures (suggestions).

"I like it here because it is less crowded," she explained. "The air is also fresher after the quarry closed and people stopped practising slash-and-burn farming."

Madam Tan, 76, married the village chief's eldest son when she was 15.

"My husband had eight brothers, so I had to take care of 10 people," she said. "I also had to rear the pigs and chickens, and help to tend my father-in-law's provision shop."

However, she was very contented. "If I was unhappy, I would have left ages ago!" quipped Madam Tan.

According to her, the main source of income for the villagers used to be from the quarries, rubber plantations and farming.

"I started working at a very young age, helping my father tap rubber sap and my mother push carts in the quarry," she said.

Today, these industries are obsolete. Instead, the main village is filled with bicycle rental shops and seafood restaurants, all vying for the patronage of visitors to the island.

One such store can be found deep within the island: a food and beverage store opened by Mr Ahmad, 78, and Ms Saipiah, 75 who have been together for more than 50 years.

The couple enjoy spending time at the five-year-old store - selling coconuts, drinks and Malay snacks - because they get to interact with visitors. Their other pastimes include watching TV and listening to the radio.

On Fridays, the couple travel to a mosque in Bugis or Geylang for their prayers.

Even though the number of villagers has dwindled, the "kampung spirit" is still alive and well on the island.


GOOD OLD DAYS: PHOTO: GOOD OLD DAYS: Even though the number of villagers has dwindled, the "kampung spirit" is still alive and well on the island.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oJLcDkyx6wWKPKngtHQlQ7riyHeZ_DV_jDh_PjtKmK4RzTxXKI8JpbUoP12nzw18Hse0BMFS9ptYMY65zEINros_qj6JmeGljiBeLWdCdKlFCdKlL93zQT-QdXOu0GcLnPKOyZIzwfg/s1600/MY_20141021_UBIN_P3_755345-1.jpg
http://mypaper.sg/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/20141021/MY_20141021_UBIN_P3_755345.jpg
http://mypaper.sg/top-stories/weekend-spot-many-home-few-20141021


Ms Juhaini, a 46-year-old production operator, is a prime example of this. Even though her parents have died, she returns to the island to help her neighbours on weekends, especially with translations.

The other big draw is that living expenses on the island are closer to those during the 60s. Ms Lee, an illustrator in her 30s, said both her parents spend less than $1,000 a month, with the bulk of it going to groceries and phone bills, as the rent is just over $100.

The island's tranquil pace of life makes it easy to see why it is still a draw with visitors, who come during weekends or holidays to fish and cycle.

"The visitors are normally from the Philippines, Indonesia and China," said Mr Heng, 69. "Singaporeans normally only come to cycle during the weekends or during Qing Ming Festival to sweep their ancestors' tombs."

Mr Heng, who lives in Hougang, visits the island every few months to stay at his friend's house - located a stone's throw from the jetty.

"When I am here, I like to fish, cut the grass, clean the house or just sit here (outside the house)," he said.

"Sometimes, I bring my brother or my kids."

According to him, the villagers - although greying - are still very healthy and mobile.


STILL GOING STRONG:
PHOTO: STILL GOING STRONG: The villagers - although greying - are still very healthy and mobile, says a visitor, adding that those who are ill have all left the island.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6IrSXQp4gOzJxSdg1jAIVOlLyU6uunTeTxsdsaZ6G3XIjxzqZ3d0H9pgYhPn19iC5D1QeBV7mX4YrD0zsgHgNbvXJ6pmY0PEr1I_wVdxsMjEBH-4a7Ly2h5jmjh2a4ahg8eqJay55mQ/s1600/MY_20141021_UBIN_P2_755347-1.jpg
http://mypaper.sg/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/20141021/MY_20141021_UBIN_P2_755347.jpg
http://mypaper.sg/top-stories/weekend-spot-many-home-few-20141021


"You will be surprised because many of the villagers in their 90s can still walk faster than me," he said.

He added: "The villagers who are ill have all left the island."

So have the children of the villagers, who have moved to the mainland.

One such person is Ms Lee, who left because "it was too troublesome to keep travelling to and fro".

According to her, she belongs to the "last generation of Ubin-born children".

The Lasalle School of the Arts graduate added: "During my time, there were only around 10 children left."

When she visits her parents with her older brother and sister on weekends, Ms Lee makes sketches of the island in her black notebook.

She still holds many fond memories from her childhood, especially of cycling and exploring the island with her neighbours. "I like that it is less congested and the air is much fresher. I might retire here one day," she said.
By Goh Wei Hao, mypaper, myp@sph.com.sg, Published on Oct 21, 2014



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