Really Five Foot Way and Food Glorious Food !

Sneak peak into the tomb at Sultan Mosque

Halal perfume shop

Tao Jing's Reflections

It was an eye opener for me during this Heritage trail to Kampong Glam and I truly enjoyed the trip. Firstly, though I hang out often with my friends at Arab Street, Haji Lane, I was not aware of the rich historical meaning of the area. The shop houses selling artifacts, carpets, the tea I sipped and the sheesha available in most cafes are deeply influenced by the Middle East culture (The Arabs) but are mainly of a commercial value now.
When I start noticing the surroundings, I now see the information boards explaining the historical background and the Sultan Mosque that is standing tall in the area. I think it’s critical that we continue to spread this interest in the history and heritage of our country to the people around us. As such, at the first instance, I shared with my “Arab Street” buddies on how we were visiting a heritage site every weekend. I am certain that all these heritage meanings will be lost if we do not promote them.
I always wonder when we go to the movies, beaches and popular restaurants at the weekends, why can’t we bring out families and friends to the heritage places. There bound to be authentic food and “exotic” sights to look out for too.
Secondly, in this time that our focus is on the “Singaporean” identity; our shared History, we neglect the notion that the effort to understand the culture of different races may be the key to appreciate our multi racial society. Hence, I am grateful for this opportunity to appreciate my fellow Malay friends at a deeper level.

Tao Jing

Caleb's Reflections

We had to go back to the Kampong Glam area twice. Here is the story.
When I tried opening up the pictures after our first trail, the computer screen showed a blank. I reinserted the memory card that contained all the pictures but out came a ‘memory card error’ message. How eventful. I travelled all the way back to sim lim where I purchased the card and sought help from the shop from which I bought the memory card. Nonchalantly they just gave me an ‘I don’t know what to do face, you’re just one in a million’ face.
Thankfully my group mates (don, tao jing and Jason) were willing to go back again with me. Hence our double take. Putting things in perspective the second trail to the very same places got me more familiarized with the district and its history. In fact we took more pictures and ‘explored’ the area further. We even had a chance to speak to a helper from the Sultan Mosque who presented us with information we couldn’t find during our first trip.
While the National Heritage Centre has been instrumental in preserving the history of historical places like Kampong Glam, it can do more in maintaining the tidiness, to a certain extent, of certain areas. For instance, the Kubor cemetery is rather unkempt, and the ‘tombs of the Malayan princes’ should be maintained also. The pictures show that it is quite uncombed, and some of the tombs are half sunken.

Caleb

Jason's Reflections

The Heritage Trail has been an insightful trip. Our group was assigned to Kampong Glam, an area in Singapore I’ve never been to in my 22 years! It was heartwarming to be greeted with rows of shop houses and the tall standing Sultan Mosque upon our arrival. Really, it was as if we had taken a step back into the past, where our pace of life was not as hectic. Kampong Glam was given conservation status on 7 July 1989. The shop houses and particularly The Istana Kampong Glam were kept in pristine condition.

The Malay Heritage Centre provided me with the background knowledge of Kampong Glam. It was worth every cent of the ticket. We also met a group of primary school students on their history trip and I envisioned myself bringing my class here next time. As we walked down the streets of Kampong Glam, I had a glimpse of the traditional shops of Malay heritage selling textiles and perfume oils. Though I won’t be buying these in the near future, it was interesting to know more about the materials used by our Malay friends.

The 4 hours spent at Kampong Glam was enriching for me. I will definitely go back with my family and friends and share with them what I have learnt on my heritage trail. I feel that the National Heritage Board has done a good job in preserving these areas. Future generations should be exposed to the rich heritage of the 3 major races in Singapore, and to appreciate the humble place where our ancestors made a living and toll their lives. Anyone up for a trip to Chinatown and Little India?

Jason Chen

Don's Reflections

After having walked through Kampong Glam for the third time in my life, I am pretty glad that many aspects of early Singapore have been preserved. If it was not for the 1989 conservation plan, Kampong Glam could have been dug up and transformed into a urbanized area just like any other urbanized land. It was through this plan that heritage sites like the former Istana, Sultan Mosque and shophouses have been preserved.

I especially thought well of the idea to fusion traditional with modern trade. This was done by restoring the shophouses which used to exist as living quarters and converting them for commercial use. Many of these restored shophouses were turned into contemporary diners and fashion boutiques. At the same time, the traditional trade such as the selling of textiles and haj items was also preserved.

However, what I was disappointed with was that I could not find the Pondok Java! How was it possible that it was torn down in 2004 when there was a conservation plan in 1989? If it was not for a map that I had managed to find at Bussorah Street, I would have never known that such a place ever existed.

This made me realise how delicate history is. It could be there today and gone the next without anyone knowing. And if no proper documentation, archival or dissemination was done, history can just fade away with time. Therefore, it is important to leave traces behind for the generations to come. Otherwise, they will be left with untraceable roots and have little knowledge of their origins.

This reflection leads me to a suggestion. Which is to hang up plaques to commemorate or describe places that use to have historical significance. These plaques could also be opened up for citizens to purchase upon donating a sum of money to remind their generations to come of where did their ancestors used to live.

Our heritage is so prone to dissolve in the quick-to-evolve society of Singapore and it is time that we leave some traces behind for our future generations.

North Bridge Road

Jackson's 1822 Town Plan

North Bridge Road is one of the oldest roads that has existed in Singapore. It was one of the first three streets - High Street, Hill Street, North Bridge Road - which was paved by convict labourers. Although it was the roads were only officially built in 1833, proof from Lt. Phillip Jackson's Town plan shows that North Bridge Road existed as a track-path then. Given that it was one of the few roads which linked the suburbs to the town centre, North Bridge Road was considered as a major road in early Singapore. Basically, it stretches from modern day Singapore's Crawford Street to the Singapore River where it continues as South Bridge Road. Lined up along this street are prominent landmarks such as the Sultan Mosque, Chijmes and St. Andrew's Cathedral (known as St. Andrew's Church back then).


Other than towering skyscrapers in the background of today's North Bridge Roads everything else seems to have remained intact. The architecture of the shophouses are well preserved and many traditional trade such as aromatic oil and textiles are still being sold.

Textiles Trade

References:
http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_880_2004-12-28.html