Arts & Culture: The Malay Village,
Geylang Serai, Singapore
Most likely that you see skyscrapers, subways and modern
architectures in the Lion City of Singapore, and yet there is still a part of
it that is untouched by the urbanization. Geylang
Serai is located in the East Coast offers Singapore’s recap of the past
with its traditional lifestyle and buildings.
Geylang Serai is the
true home of Malay community in Singapore. During significant festivals such as
the month of Ramadhan(fasting month) and Eid Fitri, you will see this district
comes alive with dazzling lights and celebrations. You can find most of Malays
and Middle East products at Geylang Serai. In the Malay Village you will get to
see the ‘50s and ‘60s insights of Malay arts and crafts, and local coffee
shops.
Geylang Serai in
Singapore, is a throwback to good old days of Singapore.
In the year 1800, the
Malays and the Arabs got settled at this place and the families or the section
of people who dominated this place were the Aljunied, Alsahgoff and the Alkaff
families.
In the year 1930, a few of the Malay districts got established
and Kampong Malayu that is the Malay Village is one of them. It is this Kampong
Melayu that later emerged or came to be known as the Geylang Serai. It was
established with the intention of making it represent the age-old culture and
the traditions of the early Malay community.
There are Kampung
Museum, Art Gallery, Hall of Fame, banquet facilities in the Malay village. Geylang Serai in Singapore sees the throngs of locals and
travelers coming in especially on the weekends, when the market place is
jam-packed. There are wide-variety of fabrics from decorative materials like
handicrafts, paintings and artifacts; rugs and fabrics, modern wear clothes,
trinkets, wooden crafted materials and much more. A purchase from Geylang Serai
is a perfect souvenir to keep the essence of Singapore alive and feel great
that you partake in Singapore shopping, which is a true reflection of the
vibrancy of Singapore.
At the Cultural Museum, an interesting collection of artefacts on Malay culture, from weaving tools, accessories, traditional krises, weapons, musical instruments to replicas of wedding ceremonial setting are splendidly displayed.
Cultural performances along
the floating restaurants stands as the main highlight in geylang serai. Want to
know the life of Malay people during the 1950's as well as the 1960's?Tthen
this is the right place to be and at this place you would get a view of the
Malay crafts such as kite making and batik painting. The Geylang Serai also
displays artifacts, such as musical instruments, weaving tools and a trip to
this place would remain incomplete without a visit to the Geylang Serai Corner
and the Hall of Fame. At the Cultural Museum, an interesting collection of artefacts on Malay culture, from weaving tools, accessories, traditional krises, weapons, musical instruments to replicas of wedding ceremonial setting are splendidly displayed.
The wet market area is 'mistress of spices' and is rejuvenating with the smells of cloves, cinnamon, pepper, cardamom and nutmeg. Feel the pulse of Singapore by picking up CDs of both traditional and modern Malay “keroncong” music and serenade in its melody. For those who are extremely fond of clothes can hunt array of clothes, textiles, fabrics and jewelery in Joo Chiat Complex. If you are interested in buying products belonging depicting the handicrafts heritage of the Malay population staying here, then head straight to Geylang Serai for its unique shops specializing in the theme. There is also a supermarket called "Goodluck supermarket with a tentage in front selling huge amount of fruits in preparation for Hari Raya Adifitri when it is the fasting month.
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References:
http://www.travel-singapore-with-me.com/geylang-singapore.html
http://www.myonlinetour.com/poi/malayvillage/index.htm
http://travel.701panduan.com/art-culture.php?title=Geylang+Serai+and+Katong
http://www.focussingapore.com/singapore-tourism/geylang-serai.html
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