Singapore: Facts & Stats

CULTURE

Traditions:

As Singapore is a small and relatively modern amalgam of Chinese, Malay, Indian and European immigrants, the culture of Singapore expresses the diversity of the population as the various ethnic groups continue to celebrate their own cultures while they intermingle with one another.

Singapore has achieved a significant degree of cultural diffusion with its unique combination of these ethnic groups, and has given Singapore a rich mixture of diversity for its young age. Singapore has several distinct ethnic neighborhoods, including Little India, Chinatown and Kampong Glam, formed by the Raffles Plan of Singapore in the early 19th century to segregate the new immigrants into specific areas. Although the population are no longer segregated in distribution, mainly due to the policies of the Housing Development Board and the ruling People's Action Party, these ethnic neighborhoods retain unique elements of their specific culture. The usage of such neighborhoods is mostly commercial or for cottage industry specific to the culture of its ethnic neighborhood and no longer plays a large part in housing the population, although it was once used for that purpose. Hence, these neighborhoods have patronage of all races who wish to either eat or buy something specific to that culture.

The policies of the Housing Development Board are designed to encourage a mix of all races within each housing district, with a quota system in place to achieve a minimum of minorities in each block. This effect can be observed in all parts of the country; for example a store devoted to selling Malay food might be right next to stores selling Chinese or Indian goods.

Celebrations:

Celebrations: Singapore is a multi cultural country having miscellaneous religious and cultural practices.

All the ethnic groups commemorate their respective festivals and therefore throughout the year Singapore remains bright and colorful due to the celebration of different kinds of festivals. Some of these festivals are public holidays.

CHINESE NEW YEAR is celebrated on the first day of the Chinese Lunar Calendar and this is the most important annual festival for the Chinese community. Each year is named after one of the 12 animals according to the Chinese Zodiac.

Houses are cleaned and decorated to prepare for the big day. On this day, prayers and offerings are made, new clothes are bought and different kinds of food are prepared.

New Year cards are exchanged between friends and relatives. Lion dances and small fireworks are also arranged. Ang-Pow or red packet containing money is given out to children and elderly.

HARI RAYA HAJI is celebrated by the Muslims on the tenth day of the last month of the Muslim calendar.

This is an occasion celebrated marking the conclusion of the annual Hajj - the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, when the pilgrims are given the name of Haji for men and Hajjah for women.

Thanksgiving prayers are offered in the mosques. An animal is sacrificed whose meat is distributed among the relatives and the poor.

WESAK DAY is celebrated by Buddhists which marks three momentous events in Buddha's life - his birthday, enlightenment, and achievement of Nirvana.

The celebration begins at dawn when devotees gathering at the temples to meditate on the Eight Precepts.

MOON CAKE - LANTERN FESTIVAL is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth Chinese Lunar Calendar. This is a historical Singaporean Festivals rather than a religious one. It marks the successful rebellion against the Mongol ruler dated back in 14th century China.

DRAGON BOAT Singaporean Festivals falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month (in June) to commemorate the death of Qu Yuan, a Chinese poet and statesman of the 4th century BC, who drowned himself in protest against political corruption.

HUNGRY GHOSTS FESTIVAL is celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month by Buddhists and Taoists. Bundle of joss sticks, paper hell money, and food placed on the street corner and roadsides are burnt to appease the dead spirit from entering their home and cause disturbance in their household.

DEEPAVALI celebrates the victory of good over evil, symbolized by the legendary homicide of the oppressive Narakasura by Lord Krishna. It marks the beginning of the Indian New Year, and for the business community it is a time for settling debts.

It is also believed that the souls of departed relatives descend to earth during this festival, and oil lamps are lit to guide them.

Alcohol:

18 years is the minimum age limit for consuming alcohol, even though some clubs won’t let in anyone under 23 years of age.

Sports and Hobbies:

Singaporeans participate in a wide variety of sports and recreational activities. Favorite sports include football, cricket, tennis, swimming, badminton, basketball, rugby union, volleyball and table tennis. Most people live in public residential areas that often provide amenities such as swimming pools, outdoor basketball courts and indoor sport complexes. As might be expected on an island, water sports are popular, including sailing, kayaking and water skiing. Scuba diving is another recreation, particularly around the southern island of Pulau Hantu which is known for its rich coral reefs.

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