Lion And Dragon Dance In Singapore


Book Description

Lion dance has been in Singapore since the 1930s and is closely connected with the Chinese clans that organised the first troupes, with some of these clans hailing as far back as the 1800s. Chronicling the history of lion dance, therefore, is akin to chronicling the pioneering years of our nation. However, few books document the history of this art form in Singapore.This book is the first of its kind to introduce the history, culture, sport and performance art that is lion and dragon dance in English. It will cover the types of dances and costumes, symbolisms and values embedded in the lion and dragon dance communities. It will tell the stories of Singaporean lion and dragon dance pioneers which have never before appeared in any English publications. It will also feature interviews with current leaders in the community and share our hopes for the future of the art form in Singapore.







Breaking the Waves


Book Description

Translated from 《大眼鸡 越洋人》, a book shortlisted for 2018 Singapore Literature Prize (creative non-fiction, Chinese) by the Singapore Book Council. This book is dedicated to the Cantonese pioneers who voyaged to Nanyang and contributed to the contemporary Singapore. The term guanghuizhao (广惠肇, referring to Guangzhou 广州, Huizhou 惠州 and Zhaoqing 肇庆) for Cantonese is not only a geographical concept, but also a century-old brand in Singapore. Over generations, Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng and Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital remain immovable in Singapore, and the Yangzheng Foundation continues to serve the people, breaking a stereotypical view of the community, in which ‘the first generation establishes, the second generation preserves, the third generation squanders, and the fourth generation loses everything’. Nowadays, interracial marriages are common in Singapore and marriages between different dialect groups are beyond count. The younger generations have a vague awareness of their origins and many of them could barely communicate in their dialects. One could only wonder what the future will bring for these Chinese associations that were set up by the forefathers of various dialect groups.




50 Years of the Chinese Community in Singapore


Book Description

"Singapore's success story is essentially a "people" story. Singaporeans have good reason to celebrate the nation's golden jubilee with pride. In the short space of five decades the country has moved from Third World to First, and its real GDP has grown by 40 times! For this phenomenal progress, credit must go to its people, the Republic's primary resource. Against all odds and amidst dire predictions, Singaporeans proved that a united and resourceful community could build a nation from scratch. This book is dedicated to one segment of these Singaporeans--the Chinese community. In particular, this collection of essays focuses on the Chinese speaking members of the community whose many contributions are less familiar to those brought up on a strict diet of the English language"--




The Rough Guide to Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei


Book Description

The Rough Guide to Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei is the ultimate travel guide to these three exciting Southeast Asian destinations. Discover this dynamic region; from the turquoise beaches of Thailand, spectacular Gunung Mulu National Park, Mount Kinabalu, historic temples and the Perhentian Islands, to amazing Singaporean cuisine and lively nightlife. Packed with detailed, practical advice, this guide provides up-to-date descriptions of the best hotels in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei and recommended restaurants, shopping and festivals, for all budgets. Fully updated and expanded, coverage includes Taman Negara, Penang and Singapore, and magnificent Ulu Muda Forest Reserve. You’ll find expert background on Malaysian, Singaporean and Brunei history, with full colour features exploring Malay culture and Borneo’s longhouse architecture. Explore all corners of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei with the clearest maps of any guide and practical language tips. Make the most of your holiday with The Rough Guide to Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.




A General History Of The Chinese In Singapore


Book Description

A General History of the Chinese in Singapore documents over 700 years of Chinese history in Singapore, from Chinese presence in the region through the millennium-old Hokkien trading world to the waves of mass migration that came after the establishment of a British settlement, and through to the development and birth of the nation. Across 38 chapters and parts, readers are taken through the complex historical mosaic of Overseas Chinese social, economic and political activity in Singapore and the region, such as the development of maritime junk trade, plantation industries, and coolie labour, the role of different bangs, clan associations and secret societies as well as Chinese leaders, the diverging political allegiances including Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary activities and the National Salvation Movement leading up to the Second World War, the transplanting of traditional Chinese religions, the changing identity of the Overseas Chinese, and the developments in language and education policies, publishing, arts, and more.With 'Pride in our Past, Legacy for our Future' as its key objective, this volume aims to preserve the Singapore Chinese story, history and heritage for future generations, as well as keep our cultures and traditions alive. Therefore, the book aims to serve as a comprehensive guide for Singaporeans, new immigrants and foreigners to have an epitome of the Singapore society. This publication is supported by the National Heritage Board's Heritage Project Grant.Related Link(s)




Singapore-China Relations


Book Description

"Showcasing the substantive and multi-faceted Singapore-China relationship, this book examines the political, economic, socio-cultural, people-to-people and even military exchanges between the two countries. It also highlights flagship projects and other key private sector-led projects that have become hallmarks of bilateral cooperation. The book argues that the current level of cooperation is built on the earlier foundation laid by Lee Kuan Yew and Deng Xiaoping. In a way, the bilateral relationship is a unique one. For one, Deng Xiaoping had singled out Singapore as a model for China's reforms and China today continues to find Singapore's experience relevant. Singapore is also learning from China in the process. The two countries also have a number of bilateral institutional mechanisms that have become more important in reviewing existing cooperation and identifying new ways of working together. Rather than simply provide an overview of bilateral relations, the book highlights the unique or distinguishing features of the Singapore-China relationship in four main areas, which are revealed in the book"--




Sounding the Dance, Moving the Music


Book Description

Performing arts in most parts of Maritime Southeast Asia are seen as an entity, where music and dance, sound and movement, acoustic and tactile elements intermingle and complement each other. Although this fact is widely known and referenced, most scholarly works in the performing arts so far have either focused on "music" or "dance" rather than treating the two in combination. The authors in this book look at both aspects in performance, moreover, they focus explicitly on the interrelation between the two, on both descriptive-analytical and metaphorical levels. The book includes diverse examples of regional performing art genres from Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. All case studies are composed from the perspective of the relatively new approach and field of ethno-choreomusicology. This particular compilation gives an exemplary overview of various phenomena in movement-sound relations, and offers for the first time a thorough study of the phenomenon that is considered essential for the performing arts in Maritime Southeast Asia - the inseparability of movement and sound.




Singapore Ethnic Mosaic, The: Many Cultures, One People


Book Description

Far from being a melting pot, multi-racial Singapore prides itself on the richness of its ethnic communities and cultures. This volume provides an updated account of the heterogeneity within each of the main communities — the Chinese, Malay, Indian, Eurasian and Others. It also documents the ethnic cultures of these communities by discussing their histories, celebrations, cultural symbols, life cycle rituals, cultural icons and attempts to preserve culture. While chapters are written by scholars drawing insight from a variety of sources ranging from academic publications to discussions with community experts, it is written in an accessible way. This volume seeks to increase intercultural understanding through presenting ample insights into the cultural beliefs and practices of the different ethnic communities. While this book is about diversity, a closer examination of the peoples and cultures of Singapore demonstrates the many similarities communities share in this Singaporean space.




Teaching Chinese Language in Singapore


Book Description

This book is cast in a Singaporean context in which Chinese Language is taught as a second language with an emphasis on communicational skills. It showcases ideas on including cultural teaching to enhance second language learning for more effective outcomes. As a collection of chapters relevant to cultural teaching, the book seeks to enthuse Chinese Language educators to incorporate elements of Chinese culture into their lessons. It is practice-oriented and provides examples using Chinese language textbooks, with suggestions for post-lesson activities. It also documents and discusses the needed developments of Singapore's Chinese culture with references to the three popular co-curricular activities of Chinese music, drama (crosstalk), and dance in schools.