Content on Customs and Culture
Learn on the go. Check out our playlists for collections of short videos, and learning packages for articles, that will give you a slice of history and heritage.
Playlist
A collection of short videos or selected podcasts, exploring culture and customs topics among Singapore’s ethnic groups.
Playlist: Chinese Customs and Culture
When Chinese immigrants first left their homelands for Singapore in the 1800s in search of jobs and new opportunities, they brought along with them their culture, traditions, and customs to aid in the transition to a new land. These traditions and customs eventually became the foundations of Singapore’s Chinese culture.
Over the decades, Chinese Singaporeans’ understandings and practice of Chinese culture and customs have evolved along with the cogs of modernisation. While certain practices have vanished with time, some are still practiced today.
Check out the videos below to learn more about various aspects of Singapore’s Chinese culture and customs.
The Many Misconceptions of Chinese Weddings – SOLVED | Real Talk by MOSG (4 mins)
Bling, a newly minted bride, speaks with Mrs Lee, speaks with Mrs Lee, a veteran in the traditional Chinese wedding gifts and goods scene, to find out more about the significance of the various wedding rituals she did on her big day.
Source: The Many Misconceptions of Chinese Weddings – SOLVED (2019, July 22). Real Talk by MOSG. Retrieved 2023, April 14.
Keeping Traditions Alive: We Are Family 保留传统习俗: 清明时节爱加温 | Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre – SCCC (5 mins)
Join two families during the Qingming festival and learn about the festival’s significance, how the rituals are performed, and efforts to keep this tradition going for the next generation.
Source: Keeping Traditions Alive: We Are Family 保留传统习俗： 清明时节爱加温 (2021, April 1). Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre – SCCC. Retrieved 2023, April 14.
Teochew Culture – Documentary | Sarah Choo (13 mins)
This short documentary on Teochew culture was commissioned for Ngee Ann Kongsi. It introduces viewers to uniquely Teochew cultural practices such as the coming-of-age ceremony, and covers how Teochew people observe marriage practices, birth rites as well as ancestral rituals.
Source: Teochew Culture – Documentary (2019, June 2). Sarah Choo. Retrieved 2023, April 14.
Playlist: Malay Customs and Culture
Malays are the original settlers and the second largest ethnic group in Singapore. The Malays and their ancestors mostly arrived from peninsular Malaya, and from various parts of the Indonesian archipelago.
Majority of Malays are Muslims and they celebrate key festivals like Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji.
Check out the videos below to learn more about various aspects of Singapore’s Malay culture and customs.
Malay weddings | by Singapore International Foundation (4 mins)
Introduces the customs and traditions of Malay weddings in Singapore.
Source: Malay weddings (2010, August 10). Malay weddings by Singapore International Foundation. Retrieved 2023, May 11.
Let's Learn About Ramadan and Hari Raya Puasa! | Malay Heritage Centre (21 mins)
Join the Malay dance group ATTRIANS Singapore in this video to learn more about the festival, traditional Malay outfits, common festival dishes and songs.
Source: Let's Learn About Ramadan and Hari Raya Puasa! (2020, April 29). Malay Heritage Centre. Retrieved 2023, May 11.
5 Different Style of Wearing the Samping | Malay Heritage Centre (4 mins)
A demonstration of the different ways of wearing samping, a traditional Malay costume that is like a short sarong worn after wearing Baju Kurung or Baju Melayu and covers from waist to the knees only.
Source: 5 Different Style of Wearing the Samping (2020, June 29). Malay Heritage Centre. Retrieved 2023, May 11.
Learning Package
Chinese Customs and Culture
Chinese immigrants first arrived in Singapore from China in the 1800s in search of jobs and new opportunities. Besides a little money and the clothes on their backs, they also brought along with them the culture, traditions, and customs from their homelands to Singapore.
Chinese Singaporeans’ knowledge and practice of these culture and customs have evolved alongside Singapore’s modernisation over the decades. While certain practices have vanished with time, some are still in practice. These aspects of tangible and intangible Chinese heritage form a significant part of the Chinese identity in Singapore today.
Did you know...
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Check out this set of articles and books to gain a better understanding of Chinese customs and culture in Singapore.
Articles
Chinese New Year customs in Singapore by Tan, Bonny
Learn more about how and why we practice certain Chinese New Year customs in Singapore.
Source: Chinese New Year customs in Singapore(2018).Singapore Infopedia. Retrieved 2023, April 14.
Chinese weddings by Yeo, Teresa Rebecca
Chinese wedding customs and traditions vary slightly according to dialect groups. This article provides a brief overview of the common customary rites that are practiced on the eve of the wedding and wedding day.
Source: Chinese weddings (2016).Singapore Infopedia. Retrieved 2023, April 14.
Qing Ming Jie (All Souls’ Day) By Koh, Qi Rui Vincent
Qing Ming Jie is a festival that falls in early April. During the festival, people visit ancestors’ graves at cemeteries and columbaria with food and other offerings to mark this period of remembrance.
Source: Qing Ming Jie (All Souls’ Day)(2014). Singapore Infopedia. Retrieved 2023, April 14.
Books
Chinese customs and festivals in Singapore
Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations. (1989). Chinese customs and festivals in Singapore. Singapore: Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations. (Call no.: RSING 390.08995105957 CHI)
This handbook was produced by the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations in 1989 in response to the declining interest in Chinese traditional practices among younger Singaporeans. It explains and describes the observation of eight major Chinese festivals, such as Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival, and covers the customs and rituals associated with births, weddings, and funerals. Written in English and Chinese text.
Through the bamboo window: Chinese life & culture in 1950s, Singapore & Malaya
Comber, Leon. (2009). Through the bamboo window: Chinese life & culture in 1950s, Singapore & Malaya. Singapore: Talisman and Singapore Heritage Society. (Call no.: RSING 390.08995105951 COM)
This book was originally written in the late 1950s and aims to provide simple, easy-to-read, accounts about Chinese life and customs in Singapore and Malaya. Topics include Chinese festivals celebrated in Malaya, Chinese superstitions in Malaya, Chinese ancestor worship in Malaya, and Chinese temples in Singapore.
Choi! Touchwood! A walk through Singapore's Chinatown: A journey in Chinese traditions, superstitions, myths and taboos
Liew, Jie Ni and Jesvin Yeo, eds. (2010). Choi! Touchwood! A walk through Singapore’s Chinatown: A journey in Chinese traditions, superstitions, myths and taboos. Singapore: Basheer Graphic Books. (Call no.: RSING 398.41089951 CHO)
A colourfully illustrated Chinatown guidebook littered with tips and trivia on Singapore Chinese customs, superstitions, and cultural beliefs.
Reviving Qixi: Singapore’s forgotten seven sisters festival
Wong, Lynn Yuqing and Lee Kok Leong. (2022). Reviving Qixi: Singapore’s forgotten seven sisters festival. Singapore: Renforest Publishing. (Call no.: RSING 394.2695957 WON)
The Qixi Festival, also known as the Cowherd and Weaving Maid Festival, was an important traditional Chinese festival for girls and women in Singapore. This book explores the origins of the festival, how it was introduced and practiced in Singapore, its eventual disappearance, and efforts to revive it today.
Learning Package
Malay Culture and Customs
Malay Singaporeans are the second largest ethnic group in this multi-ethnic country. The Malays and their ancestors largely arrived from peninsular Malaya, and from various parts of the Indonesian archipelago.
The diversity within the Malay community enriches Singapore's heritage and culture. The cultures, traditions and practices that have passed down from generation to generation, have evolved with time to remain relevant and meaningful.
Did you know...
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Check out this set of articles and books to gain a better understanding of Malay culture and customs in Singapore.
Articles
Orang Laut by Mazelan Anuar
The Orang Laut were nomadic sea gypsies who occupied the maritime zone surrounding the Strait of Melaka. As skilled mariners, they used to play an important role in Malay political history.
Source: Orang Laut (2020)Singapore Infopedia. Retrieved 2023, May 11.
Malay Muslim Marriages by Jaime Koh & Stephanie Ho
This article describes the stages involved in the festive, grand and celebratory Malay wedding, including the dos and don'ts.
Source: Malay Muslim Marriages (2014). Singapore Infopedia. Retrieved 2023, May 11.
Books
Malay culture: customs and beliefs
Education Department, Ministry of Defence. (Comp.). (1993). Malay culture: customs and beliefs. Singapore: Education Department, Ministry of Defence. (Call No.: RCLOS 305.89928 MAL-[LYF])
With the aim of promoting the learning of the Malay language, the Education Department compiled this handy reference with some insight into the Malay cultural background.
Gateway to Malay culture
Asiapac Editorial. (2003). Gateway to Malay culture Singapore: Asiapac. (Call no.: RSING 305.89928 GAT)
Enjoying its 5th reprint in 2010, this book introduces the readers an overall look at the various aspects of the Malay culture. It covers topics such as their lifestyle, religious and cultural activities.
The Singapore ethnic mosaic: many cultures, one people
Mathew Mathews. (Ed.). (2017).. The Singapore ethnic mosaic: many cultures, one people. Singapore: World Scientific. (Call no.: RSING 305.80095957 SIN)
Chapter 4 by Suriani Suratman and Siti Hajar Esa titled Malay Community and Culture in Singapore, introduces the Malay customs and traditions. The chapter also mentions Javanese culture, Baweanese culture and traditions, Minangkabau culture and traditions, Bugis culture and Arab culture.