Singapore was once ruled by the Sultanate of Johor and part of the British Malaya for many centuries. In 1819, the British came to the Island and set up a port and coloney. The British ruled Singapore for over 2 centuries and the port in Singapore attracted many migrants to Singapore. After World War 2, Singapore beacme an independent nation and a republic which it is today. And hence, many of the migrants that came to Singapore, they settle down and bring along their culture from their own countries to Singapore.
The first culture I would like to bring to you is the Indian culture. One site to visit that can let you experience the Indian culture is the Little India. It is located on the east of the Singapore River, across Chinatown and can be easily accessible Via MRT( Mass Rapid Trasit). In the past the Tamil immigrants is located in Chulia Kampong, however the Tamils is moved to the now Little India due to overcrowding. Since the start of the 20th century, the area began to look like a Tamil ethnic neighborhood.
This neighborhood has the patronage of the people of all races who wish to eat or buy something specific to Tamils culture, such as curry or Tamil clothing. One of the more prominent examples of cross-culture patronage besides those regarding food is that many Chinese parents go to shops in Little India to grind rice to make congee for babies. In such cases, the shops have machinery primarily meant to grind spices into powder for use inTamil Cusine
During the Deepavali festival, it is the best period of time to visit Little India. As the streets in Little India will be lighted up, people will be visiting the temples. This is a good experience to get to be involved in the Tamil culture. What better way to learn about it then to be part of it.
The second culture is the Chinese culture. The site that I would like to introduce is Ghinatown. Shinatown is located within the larger district of Outram and can be easily accessible via MRT(Mass Rapid Transit). As the largest ethnic group in Singapore is Chinese, Chinatown is considerably less of an enclave that it once was. However, the district does retain significant historical site officially designated for conservation by the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
Under the Raffles Plan of Singapore, the area originally was a division of colonial Singapore where Chinese immigrants tended to reside. Although as Singapore grew, Chinese immigrants settled in other areas of the island-city, Chinatown became overcrowded withindecades of Singapore's founding in 1819 and reamained such until many residents were relocated at the imitiation of Singapore's govermental Housing Development Board in the 1960's.
The effects of diversity of Chinatown are still present. The Hokkiens are associated with Havelock Road, Telok Ayer Street, China Street and Chulia Street and the Teochew merchants mostly in Circular Road, River Valley Road, Boat Quay and South Bridge Road. The ubiquitous Cantonese are scattered around South Bridge Road, Upper Cross Street, New Bridge Road and Bukit Pasoh Road. These days, the Hokkiens and Teochews have largely scattered to other parts of the island, leaving the Catonese as the dominant dialect group in Chinatown.
So by visiting Chinatown, you will be able to ecperience types of peopl like the Hokkiens and Teochews and learn their history and culture.
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