FIRST STOP !!

TAMAN WARISAN MELAYU

(MALAY HERITAGE CENTRE)

The first stop of our trail was the Malay Heritage Centre located at 85 Sultan Gate. It’s hard to believe that the centre was once a palace where the Sultan Hussein and Sultan Ali had resided in the 1800s. The two storey building presently is a culture centre showcasing the heritage, culture and history of Malay Singaporeans.

Close to the building , was a showcase of the Bugis Perahu amidst several Gelam trees. The Bugis people were one of the indigenous people residing in early Singapore, most of them fishermen making a living out in the sea. The Perahu, a small boat was an important vehicle for these people to fish out at the stormy seas. In the building, we saw magnificent authentic evidences from the past, including the actual treaty which was signed between Raffles and the Temenggong. The heritage centre had lots of things replicated to bring us the most authentic experience of the past. Some of the things which were replicated were the interior of a kampong house, a HDB home during the 1960-70s and even a mamak shop selling items which cannot be found presently!

GLAM TREES

The Gelam trees, also known as Kayu Putih (WhiteBarked) trees were abundant during the 1800s. Only a few of them can be seen presently around areas in Chek Jawa. The tree was known for its medicinal properties to treat diseases such as ghout and rheumatism and its pinkish-brown timber has a uniform texture and is popular for the use of boat making.

The signs around the area made it easier for us to learn more about the history of Kampong Glam.

We were lucky enough to have a tour guide to bring us around the place and explain to us certain aspects of the Malay culture such as the costume, tradition and even an interior of a kampong house back in the early days. We definitely learnt a lot and about the Malay culture, even Irwan and Farah learnt something new about their own heritage.

THE MALAYS AND OTHER INDEGINOUS GROUPS

The Malay group is largest group of indigenous people. They come from different states in the Malay Archipelago. Other than the Malays, many different groups also resided in Kampong Glam. They are the Baweanese ( Boyanese), the Bugis, the Mingakabus, the Banar and Batak people. These group of people mostly came from the Southern parts of Indonesia. Irwan, as we all found out, came from Bugis origin ! The Bugis people back then were accomplished sailors and sea traders. They have also been known for their military prowess.

ISTANA KAMPONG GLAM

Istana Kampong Gelam was firstly built by Sultan Hussein Shah of Johor in 1819. He had resided there till his death in 1835. The concrete white structure which stands today was commissioned by his eldest son, Sultan Ali Iskandar Shah of Johor-Riau shortly after his death.

The palace is believed to have been designed by colonial architect, George Drumgoole Coleman, the same man who was responsible for the design of the Old Parliament and the Armenian Church. Some of the architectural features of the palace is similar to that of the two buildings which Coleman had designed. Istana Kampong Glam was designed with a combination of the Palladan style, a style which was popular in England back then infused with Malay motifs. Little kampong-styled houses were built around the exterior of the palace to place the Sultans, servants, kins and artisans.