| Total population |
|---|
| 2,770,300 [1] (2009 est.) |
| Regions with significant populations |
 Singapore |
| Languages |
|
Predominantly: |
| Religion |
|
Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity and others |
| Related ethnic groups |
Chinese Singaporeans are people of Chinese descent who are born in or immigrated to Singapore and have attained citizenship or permanent residence status. As of 2009, Chinese Singaporeans constitute 74.2% of Singapore's resident population, or approximately three out of four Singaporeans, making them the largest ethnic group in Singapore.
Chinese in Singapore today commonly recognize themselves first as Singaporeans (新加坡人), and then Chinese (Huaren/ 华人/華人). The term Chinese Singaporean or Singaporean Chinese are used interchangeably with no differences in meaning. In terms of racial or ethnic identity, Chinese in Singapore commonly identify themselves as "Huaren 华人/華人". Peranakan Chinese are the offspring of ethnic Chinese who had married indigenous peoples and have developed a culture of their own.
Contents |
Definition
The Singapore Department of Statistics defines 'Chinese' as a 'race' (or 'ethnic group'). Chinese in Singapore refer to persons of Chinese origin such as Hokkiens, Teochews, Cantonese, Hakkas, Hainanese, Hockchias, Foochows, Henghuas, Shanghainese, etc.[2]. Singaporeans of mixed parentage are classified as "Chinese" if their fathers' ethnic group are Chinese.
Ancestry origins or Language groups
In general, the Chinese in Singapore are grouped according to their respective Chinese spoken language, linguistic-cultural or ancestry groups. The ancestral origins of the Chinese Singaporeans are diverse in nature and they are identified by their linguistic differences and place of origin (known as "Zuji 祖籍" or "Jiguan 籍贯"）.
Most of the Chinese in Singapore belong to several linguistic-cultural groups, originating from mainly the southern parts of China, predominantly Fujian and Guangdong provinces. The Hokkien, Teochew and Hainanese jointly form more than three-quarters of the Chinese population. The Cantonese, Hakka and other groups account for most of the remainder. These are generally the descendants of the migrants from southern China during the 19th and early half of 20th century (1st and 2nd wave of migration) and are typically known as "local Singaporean Chinese" (新加坡本地华人）. The 1990s and early 21st century saw Singapore experiencing a 3rd wave of new Chinese migration from different parts of China.
Inter-marriage between different Chinese language/ancestry group is quite common in Singapore, but association of linguistic-cultural group will follow the respective ancestry of the father's side. For instance, if father is of Hokkien ancestry and mother is of Teochew ancestry, the children will tend to associate themselves as Hokkien (i.e. following the roots of the father). Some Chinese Singaporeans also tend to associate themselves with their clans and ancestry origin, as seen in Singapore Chinese Clan Associations.
Hokkien
The Hokkiens (福建人） constitute around 41% of the Chinese Singaporean population. Most originated from the southern parts of the Fujian province (福建省), primarily Xiamen (厦门), Zhangzhou (漳州) and Quanzhou (泉州). They speak the Amoy dialect of Hokkien (厦门话 / 厦门闽南语), a Min-nan (闽南) language, which is 50.4% comprehensible with Teochew (潮州话), and less so with Hainanese(海南话). [1]
The Hokkien language was a lingua franca amongst the various Chinese language groups and was also used by other ethnic groups such as the Malays and Indians to communicate with Chinese before Mandarin came into dominance during 1980s and 1990s.
Early Hokkien migrants settled around Amoy Street and Telok Ayer Street, forming enclaves around the Thian Hock Kheng Temple. They subsequently set up clan headquarters (Hokkien Huey Kuan) there and later expanded to Hokkien St and the vicinity of China Street. The Hokkiens were the most active in early trading that centered along the Singapore River.
As early settlers came from the southern coast of China, they were active in sea trade and worshiped one of the patron-deities of Taoist pantheon, the Heavenly Mother or "Ma Zhu" who supposedly looked out for seafarers. Thian Hock Kheng Temple houses Goddess "Ma Zhu" (妈祖) and is thus also known as Ma Zhor Kheng. Another popular patron group of deities are the Nine Emperor Gods, a commemoration of the Emperors who were said in Taoist folklore to have brought peace and prosperity to the people. Among some Chinese Singaporeans, the supreme Taoist God, the Jade Emperor, is revered and his birthday on the 9th day of Chinese New Year is accorded utmost prominence by them.
An official Taoist practice by a Taoist spiritual medium known as "Tangki 乩童" (a Hokkien term derived from Taiwan) is also popular amongst some Taoist Chinese. In this ceremony, the spiritual medium goes into a trance and is thought to establish a channel of communication between the mortal petitioner and the chosen Deity. It is said that the Taoist Deity transmogrifies the spiritual medium and provides a wide range of help to devotees ranging from religious rituals to health, business, domestic queries and requests like a talisman to protect their loved ones.
Teochew
The Teochew (潮州人） in Singapore constitute about 21% of the Chinese population in Singapore. The Teochew people speak Teochew, another Min-Nan language, which is 50.4% mutually intelligible with Hokkien. The Teochews, like the Hainanese, trace their ancestry to southern Fujian (福建). Their migration from southern Fujian to their new homes in what is now known as the Chaoshan region and Hainan Island respectively were mainly due to overpopulation and famine in the southern Fujian region. [2]. Despite linguistic and cultural similarities, the Teochews and Hokkiens considered themselves distinct and did not get along well during their early settlement in Singapore, especially during the British colonial era. Like the Hokkiens, the Teochews similarly shared the Taoist belief of a Taoist spiritual medium.
The Teochews were the dominant Chinese Language group for a period of time during the 19th century. Mass immigration of Chinese from Fujian later caused the Hokkiens to outnumber the Teochews, especially in the south. The majority of the Chinese living along the banks of the Straits of Johor were largely Teochew until the HDB initiated mass redevelopment from the 1980s onwards.
The majority of the Teochew settled along the banks of the Singapore River in Chinatown during the 19th and early 20th century. Teochews who settled in Chinatown worked in many commercial sectors as well as fishery. Traditional commercial sectors of Chinatown once dominated by Teochews include Circular Road and South Bridge Road.
Others Teochew businessmen set up gambier and pepper plantations in the dense forests of Singapore, parts of northern Singapore as well as Johor Bahru. The Chinese first started their plantations with the approval of the Sultan of Johor from the nineteenth century onwards. This attracted more Teochews to start their plantations in those areas over the years. As such, the "Kangchu" system eventually started to form. The Chinese word "Kang" (江) means river, while "Chu" (厝) means house. However, in this context, "Chu" is the clan's name of the first headman in charge of the plantations in the area. The "Kangchus" gave rise to modern place names such as Choa Chu Kang, Lim Chu Kang and Yio Chu Kang, all of which were largely plantation areas prior to urban redevelopment.
Early Chinese immigrants clustered themselves to form clan and Language associations. These clan associations or Kongsi served as unions for the mostly illiterate Chinese laborers and represented them when dealing with their colonial rulers or employers. One of the more prominent clan associations for the Teochew was the Ngee Ann Kongsi, a Teochew-oriented association formed in 1845 that is still in existence.
The Straits Times highlighted that Hougang has a relatively high concentration of Teochew residents.
Cantonese
The Cantonese （广东人）make up 15% of the Chinese Singaporean population. Unlike the Hokkien, Teochew and the Hainanese, the Cantonese speak a language belonging to the Yue family. The Cantonese community is also further sub-divided into several dialect groups. Yue Hai is considered to be the purest form of Cantonese because of its close proximity with Guangzhou. Other variants include Luoguang, Seiyap and Gouyeung. The Gwainaam variant is largely based in Guangxi and shares close affinity with Pinghua. As with the Hokkiens and Teochews, some Cantonese also share Taoist beliefs.
The Cantonese mainly worked as doctors, politicians, teachers of classical Chinese, goldsmiths, tailors and restaurateurs during the early and mid 20th century, and their businesses predominated the shop houses along Temple Street, Pagoda Street, and Mosque Street.
Cantonese women from the Samsui district (Chinese: 三水区; pinyin: Sānshǔi Qū), worked in construction sites, and contributed greatly towards the development of Singapore. These Samsui women left their families behind in China and came to Singapore to work in construction sites for a living during the early 20th century. They were noted for their distinctive navy blue outfits and bright red headgear, which were meant for protecting their hair as they worked. The headgear was first worn by Wang Chao Yun (王朝云 字子霞), a concubine of Su Dongpo, in the Hakka Fui Chiu district of Guangdong province and it eventually became the traditional headgear of Hakkas. Cantonese women who worked alongside female Hakka labourers adopted the use of the headgear.
Cantonese women from the Seiyap (Chinese: 四邑) district in Jiangmen prefecture wore black headgear similar to the Samsui women. Seiyap women who wore black headgear mainly worked in shipyards at the old harbour along Singapore river as well as at Keppel Harbour.
Today Chinatown is known among Singaporeans for having a large number of Cantonese people.
Hakka
The Hakka （客家人） constitute 11.4%[3] of the Chinese Singaporean population. Since their language is somewhat similar to Mandarin, albeit strongly influenced by Min-nan and Yue, they were long thought to have migrated from Northern China between the 16th and the 17th century. Recent genetic studies, however, have shown that the Hakkas originate from Southern China, like the other Chinese language groups in Singapore.
Many Hakka women who came to Singapore during the early 20th century worked in construction sites and wore headgear similar to the Samsui women. However, unlike the Samsui women, those Hakka women wore black, rather than red headgear.
Hainanese, Eastern Min and Puxian Min
This group constitutes 5% of the Chinese Singaporean population. Of them, the majority are Hainanese (海南人）, from Hainan, speaking Hainanese.
The others, who included the Hockchew (Fuzhou), Hockchia (福州人） and the Hinghwas （兴化人）, who came from Northeastern Fujian and Southern Zhejiang. They spoke various Eastern Min languages except for the Hinghwa who spoke Puxian Min.
As late-comers to Singapore (late 19th century), most of them worked as shop helpers, chefs, and waiters in the hospitality sector. Hainanese Chicken Rice is a famous dish.
The Singaporean Hainanese were also known for their Western food, as many of the early Hainanese migrants worked as cooks on European ships.
Taiwanese
This group constitutes less than 2% of the Chinese Singaporean population. They are either Singapore Citizens or Permanent residents. In Singapore, due to their small population, the Taiwanese (台湾人） are often sub-categorized into Singapore's larger Chinese language groups such as Hokkien, Hakka or Mandarin. Nevertheless, the Taiwanese Singaporeans form a distinctive group on their own. Most of them speak Mandarin, Hokkien, or Hakka, depending on their respective family language.
Migration of Chinese from Taiwan to Singapore could have begun as early as 1940s . According to verbal accounts by Singaporeans who have lived through the 1940s, many of the "Japanese" soldiers, who were involved in the occupation of Singapore during World War II, were in fact Taiwanese serving in the Imperial Japanese Army. Verbal accounts also indicate that many Chinese teachers teaching the Chinese language in the 1950s and 1960s came from Taiwan. After 1965, due to military ties with Taiwan, some Taiwanese military personnel migrated to Singapore to serve as high ranking officers in Singapore armed force. More immigration from Taiwan began during the 1970s and 1980s as more Taiwanese came to Singapore to invest, work, live or study. Most of them are highly-educated, and employed in professions such as engineering, business, investment, research and education.
Peranakan (Ethnic Group)
The Peranakan, also known as Baba-Nyonya, are early Chinese immigrants from Malacca and Penang, many who later migrated to Singapore. As they are of mixed Chinese and Malays ancestry, the Peranakans are classified as a separate ethnic group from the Han Chinese in Singapore. They embrace a fusion of Malay and Chinese cultures but have their own distinct identity. The men are known as Baba while the women are known as Bibiks or Nyonyas. Peranakans in Singapore were once concentrated around Geylang (where many Malays lived) and Katong (a predominantly Chinese enclave). This is because the Peranakans were often intermediaries for businesses and social groups in colonial Singapore owing to their ability to speak English, Malay and Hokkien.
Many Peranakans and Hokkien Chinese moved out of the congested town of Singapore - now the Central Business District (CBD) - and built seaside mansions and villas along the East Coast in Tanjong Katong ("Turtle Bay" in the Malay language) for their families.
After Singapore's independence in 1965, Peranankan people have moved throughout the island of Singapore. Peranakans in Singapore generally belong to the Hokkien and Teochew language groups and spoke Baba Malay and Chinese dialects as mother tongues. Many of them converted to Roman Catholicism during the 18th-century Portuguese colonisation of South-East Asia when missionaries set up posts in Batavia (Indonesia) and Malaya (Malaysia).
The Peranakans were a transcultural mix of races that blended colonial English style with indigenous Malay languages and Hokkien Chinese customs.
Wu and others
Prior to 1990, Mandarin speakers from Beijing and other Chinese provinces such as Shandong, Sichuan, Hubei etc, and Wu speakers from Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, constitute less than 2% of the Chinese Singaporean population. Most of the current population of native Mandarin speakers immigrated to Singapore much later than the other groups, specifically after the Singapore government relaxed immigration laws in 1989. They can all speak Standard Mandarin, the lingua franca among all the Chinese languages, and may be able to speak their own languages or dialects. Since 1990s, the population of PRC Chinese who come to Singapore to study and work has steadily increased every year. Eventually, many settle down in Singapore permanently and became Singapore permanent residents (PRs) or citizens. This group now constitutes about a fifth of Singapore's population.
The first- and second-generation Chinese Singaporeans who came to Singapore in the 1990s tend to be highly paid white-collar workers in multinational corporations or academia in research and educational institutes. There is also an increasing number of Chinese teachers from the PRC working in primary and Secondary schools and Junior Colleges in Singapore. Immigrants from China during 1990s and early 21st century are typically known as "Xinyimin 新移民". They stand out from the singaporean born chinese and are heavily criticised.
There are also many new Chinese immigrants from the neighbouring countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippine, Vietnam etc., all adding to the diversity of Chinese in Singapore.
Languages spoken by Chinese Singaporeans
Although English is the main language of Singapore, Mandarin is generally spoken as the common language amongst Chinese Singaporeans. Since 2000, the usage of Chinese dialects at home had declined, while Mandarin had become more popular as the predominant home language of Chinese Singaporeans. Although the usage of English has increased over the years, there appears to be a greater tendency to switch from Chinese dialects to Mandarin than to English at home amongst Chinese in Singapore at all education levels.[4]
Traditionally speaking, Chinese Singaporeans tend to speak their respective Chinese dialects (based on the dialect of their ancestry origin). However, after Singapore's independence in 1965, the government in Singapore adopted 2 broad movements to change the linguistic practices of the local populace. There was a move towards Anglicization of schools starting in 1965 to promote English and a "Speak Mandarin Campaign" from 1980 onwards to promote Mandarin. As such, most Chinese Singaporeans under the age of 40 have a working knowledge of both English Language and Mandarin Chinese, while the vast majority of older Chinese Singaporeans are still able to speak other Non-Mandarin Chinese languages such as Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, Hakka, Hainanese etc.
Government policies aimed at narrowing various Chinese language/dialect differences and reducing the language-group based parochialism within the Chinese community were spearheaded by the Speak Mandarin campaign. The ban on Non-Mandarin Chinese languages/dialects in schools and the media since 1980s had resulted in many younger Singaporeans being less familiar with their original root languages. This government policy towards the Non-Mandarin languages/dialects of Singaporean Chinese had resulted in controversy among certain quarters of Chinese Singaporeans who feel that preserving their root languages is important to their cultural identity.
| Language most frequently spoken at home by Chinese Singaporean (%) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | 2000 | 2005 | |
| Mandarin Chinese | 45.1 | 47.2 | |
| Other Chinese languages | 30.7 | 23.9 | |
| English | 23.9 | 28.7 | |
| Others | 0.3 | 0.2 | |
Religion
According the 2000 census, 42.5% of Singapore's Chinese population declared themselves to be Buddhist, 8.5% Taoist, 14.6% Christian and 14.8% non-religious. The Chinese form the vast majority in these four groups, due to their dominance in Singapore.
The majority of the Chinese in Singapore register themselves as Buddhist, and a smaller number claimed to be Taoist. Many Chinese have retained to a certain extent the Taoist belief and practice which is an age-old Chinese tradition. Taoism was once the dominant belief system, but younger generations have either switched to Buddhism or have become non-religious. In Singapore, Chinese folks religious practice such as worship of certain folks deities is often classified under Taoist practice.
Taoism
Taoism is practiced by 8.5% of Singapore's population, which amounts to more than 200,000 individuals. As a backbone of Chinese culture, Taoism was once a popular belief held by many Chinese, but Taoist beliefs has witnessed a sharp decline from the 1990s onwards, as most of the younger-generation, Chinese Singaporeans perceive the religion as demoded and draconian.
Taoists in Singapore are generally polytheistic, and worship similar Deities. Many of these Deities are incarnated and thus ancestral and are subject to a complex Taoist hierarchy of veneration. The Chinese also worship some Deities of common origins, notably the Jade Emperor, the Northern Emperor or Xiong Tae Gong, Emperor Guan Yu or Guan Tae, and the Heavenly Empress or Matsu. Other Deities that were venerated and frequently taken as auspicious images include Prosperity (Hock in Teochew/Hokkien, Fok in Cantonese, Fu 福 in Mandarin), Wealth (Lock in Teochew/Hokkien, Luk in Cantonese, Lu 禄 in Mandarin), and Longevity (Siew in Teochew/Hokkien, Sao in Cantonese, Shou 寿 in Mandarin) (see Fu Lu Shou). This includes ancestral Gods such as Guan Yu. The God of Fortune is also venerated by many Chinese businessmen all over Singapore as well as Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China. Minor Deities, especially ancestral, worshipped by different language groups may not share a common origin with other Chinese languages groups.
The Hakka are an exception in this case. Unlike other Chinese language groups, some Deities worshipped by Hakka are not depicted in the form of statues. Usually a stone or tablet is used to represent the Deity instead, and this is particularly true side-temple Deities that are not placed in the main altar.
Adherents of Taoism would place house altars in their living room. This is more frequently seen among Chinese families, rather than individuals. The family God or Deity would be placed on the top altar, and a spiritual tablet would be placed at the bottom altar, although ancestral tablets are at times incorrectly placed at the top altar as well. Often, urns, usually placed with some joss sticks, are placed in front of the Deity. Oil lamps may also be placed at the sides, and fruit offerings are also placed in front of the Deity as offerings to the Deity.
A brazier, often painted red, may also be seen. They are meant for burning joss papers. They also hang a small altar, painted red, with the words "Heaven Bestows Wealth" (天宮賜福) painted on it outside the house or simply a small urn filled with ash where joss sticks are placed. The smoke emitted from burning joss sticks is believed to transmit their devotion and at times requests to the Gods in heaven.
Traditional Chinese funeral customs is largely Taoist, although nowadays Buddhist monks are often invited to initiate the rituals. Therefore, either Taoist priests or Buddhist monks are called in to chant mantras and prayers. Funerals are usually conducted under the void deck of an HDB flat, condominium, or within the living premises of the deceased's private house. Funeral rituals usually last three to five days. Due to land spatial constraints, families of deceased members would have the deceased cremated in crematoriums and temples inlieu of their custom of a burial.
Taoists in Singapore are influenced by Buddhism and vice versa. There is definitely a unique culture and practice that has developed locally that gave rise to the localized religious flavor in Singapore. Most who declared themselves as Buddhist are also often seen honoring and revering Taoist Gods and Deities; and most Taoists, on the other hand, are also ready to honor Lord Buddha. In fact, the demarcation between Buddhism and Taoism has obscured and to adherents of either religion, Taoism and Buddhism are actually viewed as a single entity.
The afore-stated reason probably accounted for the steep decline in the number of adherents of Taoism, from 30% in 1980 to 22.4% in 1990, and then down to 8.5% in 2000 whilst Buddhism rise from 31.2% in 1990 to 42.5% in 2000. Proposition that economic affluence and changes in lifestyles have led younger-generation Chinese Singaporeans to embrace evangelical Christianity may well be overstated as the percentage rise in Christianity between 1990 (12.7%) to 2000 (14.6%) is merely less than 2%.
Buddhism
Buddhism is practiced by 42.5% of Singapore's population, or more than half of the Chinese in Singapore. The growth of Buddhism and Buddhist teachings in Singapore is not a recent development. Overseas missionaries from Taiwan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Japan and to a lesser extent, Tibet, have introduced Theravada, Mahayana Buddhism and Vajrayana Buddhism to Singaporeans. The Buddhists in Singapore are not exclusively ethnic Chinese, they include Japanese expatriates, Europeans, Americans, and Eurasians who have converted from Christianity.
All the three mainstream Buddhist traditions, namely Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana are well represented in Singapore and they unanimously celebrate the festival Vesak. Vesak Day is a festive that commemorates the birth, Enlightenment and the Nirvana of Lord Buddha Gautama.
In recent decades, atop of the inherent Buddhist-Taoist culture, Buddhist missionaries from other parts of Asia have cause large number of converts throughout the region. Valued and learned writings translated into books are one of many factors responsible for the success of Buddhism. Other factors include Singaporeans' relations with Buddhist organizations overseas.
Buddhists in Singapore normally pay frequent visits to Temples for prayers, Dharma Centers of Monasteries for dharma activities like Dharma Talks or discussions, Meditation, Chanting as well as many other activities especially for the youth.
Christianity
Christianity is practiced by 14.6% of Singapore's population, the great majority of whom are ethnic Chinese. Most Christians in Singapore are either Roman Catholic or Protestant, with Orthodox Christians forming a minuscule minority.
Protestants in Singapore include Anglicans, Methodists, Presbyterians and Baptists. Non-sectarian Churches such as Pentecostals, Charismatics have made large numbers of converts in the recent years, notably among youths. However, Catholicism (Roman) still remains the largest denomination locally.
Ancestor worship is not permitted among Catholics and Protestants. However, dead ancestors are often prayed for during Mass and various prayer services. But this is considered taboo among Protestant denominations. However, the continuation of ancestor worship persists according to individuals, especially during the Cheng Meng festival.
Christian church services are mainly held in English, though some churches have services in different languages, notably Mandarin, Tamil, Tagalog and even in different Chinese languages. Latin services are occasionally conducted in Catholic churches.
The Christian population in Singapore grew from 10% in the 1980s to 18% in 1988 before taking a dip to 14.6% as recently.
Other
Another 13% of the Chinese Singaporean are non-religious adherents and they call themselves "free thinkers". In Singapore, this term simply means that the person does not adhere to any single religion. However, most perpetuate the Chinese traditions and practices.
A small minority of the Chinese in Singapore follow Islam and Hinduism. Most are converts who have married Malay Muslims or Indian Hindus. Some may also have been raised by Malays or Indians while some may have converted as a matter of personal choice.
Food
Many of the Singaporean Chinese dishes were adapted by early Chinese immigrants to suit local circumstances (such as available ingredients) and cannot strictly be considered mainstream Chinese cuisine. Nevertheless, they exhibited local Singaporean Chinese flavor and tastes. Most of the local Singaporean Chinese dishes such as Bak kut teh, Mee pok, Ban mian, Char kway teow, Chee cheong fun, Hokkien mee, Hainanese chicken rice, Wan ton mee, Popiah etc. can be easily found in hawker centers or food courts across Singapore. Some Singaporean Chinese are vegetarian, as they maybe devoted followers of Buddhism, while some do not consume beef, esp. those who worship the Goddess Of Mercy (Guan Yin).
Culture differences
Since most of the Singaporean Chinese had ancestry originating from southern China, the Singaporean Chinese culture generally has a closer affinity with the southern Chinese culture (predominantly that of Fujian, Guangdong and Hainan province) instead of northern Chinese culture.
Though the Singaporean Chinese are ethnically related to mainland Chinese, they differ in terms of mindset, culture and languages. While the mainland Chinese are largely sino-centric in their outlook of the world, Singaporean Chinese are educated in English medium schools (but taught Chinese language throughout their education) and are exposed to western influences. As such, the local Singaporean Chinese culture is a blend and mix of southern Chinese culture, local Singaporean culture (with various influences from cultures of other ethnicities) and western culture.
There exist differences in the Singaporean Chinese culture compared to that of China. Some traditional Chinese religious and folks custom are preserved by the Chinese community in Singapore, but are no longer practised or seen in China after the Chinese Cultural Revolution. This is especially true of regional rites and rituals practiced by Singaporean descendants of the peasant immigrants from southern China.
There are also distinctive recognizable differences between Singaporean Mandarin accent and PRC's Mandarin accent. Colloquially , many Chinese Singaporeans also speak a mixed language, juggling between Singlish or Singdarin. Many of the local Chinese dialects in Singapore such as Hokkien, Teochew or Cantonese have also been largely acculturated and differ from what is spoken in China.
History
There are records of the Chinese presence in Singapore as early as the 14th-century. Imperial Chinese sources state that there was a significant amount of Chinese inhabitants in the region. According to the Chinese explorer Wang Dayuan, the Chinese inhabitants of Singapore were dressed in local traditional costume and were largely intermarried with the local South-East Asian women, following an amalgam of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism. These were the earliest Peranakans of Singapore.
After Singapore became the capital of the British Straits Settlements in 1832, the free trade policy attracted many Chinese from Mainland China to trade, and many settled down in Singapore. The large influx of Chinese to Singapore led to the establishment of a large number of Chinese associations, schools, and temples in Singapore and within a century, the Chinese immigrants exceeded the population of the Malays. During this period, Christian missionaries from Europe began to evangelize the Asians, especially the Chinese. By 1849, the Chinese formed half of Singapore's population.
During WWII
The Second Sino-Japanese War, started in 1937, revived a perceived sense of patriotism in the local Chinese to China and soon the Singaporean Chinese imposed an embargo against Japanese goods and products in Singapore. During the war, fearing for the safety of their relatives in China, some of the immigrants returned to China to fight the Japanese, while established entrepreneurs sent economic aid or military equipment to China. After the Japanese took Singapore in 1942, the Kempeitai tracked down many Chinese who aided the Chinese war effort against Japan. However, the Kempeitai's Sook Ching Operation was simply a massacre designed to drive fear into the local populace, so the Kempeitai simply picked out people based on accounts of masked informers, which in many cases are false accounts based on personal vendettas. There were also active anti-Japanese resistance during the war, such as Force 136, headed by Lim Bo Seng and Force 666, headed by Wong Wai Lit.
Racial tensions
Race riots were common during the early post-war period, predominantly the period between self-governance and independence in 1965. One major riot took place during birthday celebrations in honour of Muhammad, on 21 July 1964. There were records of high casualties (23 killed and 454 injured). There were claims that the riot was politically motivated to oust then Prime Minister (Lee Kuan Yew) and his cabinet, who wanted to prevent the ideology of a Malaysian Malaysia to spread north towards Peninsular Malaysia.
Notes
References
- Statistics of adherents of different religions in Singapore
- http://weecheng.com/singapore/9eg/index.htm
- The Straits Times, April 28, 2006, pg 15, Prime section
- Profile of the Singapore Chinese Dialect Groups
- 新加坡华文知识分子角色的演变 (Changing role of the Chinese Intellectuals in Singapore), Lianhe Zaobao, 14 March 1999
See also
- Overseas Chinese
- British Chinese
- Buddhism in Singapore
- Taoism in Singapore
- Singlish
- Malaysian Chinese
- Jook-sing
- List of common Chinese surnames in Singapore
- Chinese language romanisation in Singapore
External links
- Thai Theravada Buddhist Shop in Singapore
The Peranakan Resource Library - A resource website for all things Peranakan--> deadlink. poor WOT rating.The Online Peranakan Antiques Boutique - An online exclusive boutique to buy exquisite & rare Peranakan antiques--> deadlink. poor WOT rating.Peranakan For Kids - A Peranakan educational site for both kids & teens--> deadlink. poor WOT rating.- Festival of the Nine Emperor Gods
- 2003 speech by Lee Hsien Loong on Teochews
Spoken Cantonese in Singapore--> dead link
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