Chapter 4: How was life different for the various people in colonial Singapore before World War Two?

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Source 11: An ex-Indian convict's experience as a labourer in colonial Singapore in the late 19th century.

Like many other Indian political prisoners who were arrested for resisting the British Raj*, I was sent to Singapore to work as a convict labourer. We were housed in temporary sheds in town where there was little or no prison control over us. The authorities then divided us into six classes and I was tasked to help out in the government's pulic works programmes. After concluding our workday, we were also allowed to work as hired servants for residents in town who paid us liberal** wages. By the time we were old men, I have amassed savings sufficient to purchase land and live out the remainder of my life in comfort.

*British Raj: British rule in the India.

**liberal: generous in amount.

Source Origin: Singapore:A Biography, Mark R. Frost & Yu-Mei Balasingamchow.

Use Record: Holy Innocents' High School, 2015.

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Source 10: A commentary on the Bangsawan by a Malay historian written in 1898.

The Malay opera is, so far as I know, the only kind of dramatic performance for the large section of the community speaking the Malay tongue. Performing for both the Straits Chinese as well as the Malay people and it is no uncommon thing to see the ladies galleries filled by the Straits Chinese women. I think it cannot be denied that even the stage may be utilized for the purposes of educating the people towards higher views of life, domestic happiness and morality. One fault which a European will instantly detect in the Bangsawan* plays is the exhibition of rude and filthy mannerism as well as the use of coarse, if not indecent language. There were multiple calls to keep it civil but it is not unfair to say that some of the plays would lose much of their appeal were these objectionable portions to be left out.

*Bangsawan is also known as the Malay opera

Source Origin: Shaik Othman bin Sallim, The Malay Opera, a study, The Straits Chinese Magazine, Vol.2, Issue 8, December 1898, pp.128-132

Use Record: Anderson Secondary School, 2014

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Source 9: A description of Samsui women, who worked in many construction sites in Singapore during the 1930s

In a typical day, Samsui women began at the break of dawn where they would have a simple meal before gathering to walk over to their respective construction sites. By 8am, they would be hard at work, digging soil and earth, or carrying debris and other construction materials in buckets that hung from shoulder poles. Work usually ended at around 6pm, after which many Samsui women would gather together for a simple meal to end the day.

Source Origin: https://lionraw.com/2015/08/18/the-samsui-women-of-singapore/

Use Record:Pei Hwa Secondary School, 2015

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Source 8: Adapted from a historian’s account on Chinese secret societies in colonial Singapore.

The main function of the Chinese secret societies was to organize the coolie trade. The distribution of coolie immigrants was handled by brokers who were senior secret-society members. They performed many useful social functions. They protected young immigrants, arranged their employment and admitted them to a brotherhood, which provided a sense of belonging in a strange foreign land. They settled disputes among their own people, who found the British justice system unfamiliar, complicated and difficult to understand.

Source Origin: C.M. Turnbull. (2009) A History of Modern Singapore, 1819-2005. Singapore: NUS Press. P.71

Use Record: Nan Chiau High School, 2015

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Source 7: Adapted from a historian’s account of Chinese clan associations in colonial Singapore.

As more immigrants from different parts of China found their way to the thriving port, the number of clan associations increased. The associations were formed by people originating from the same province, or by people with the same surname. These original self-help groups were the lifelines of the many early Chinese immigrants who arrived here without friends and money. Largely ignored by the British colonial government, these sin keh (new immigrants) turned to their fellow clansmen for support and assistance. From helping to secure employment to providing basic accommodation, the clan associations managed temples and cemeteries and, later, schools for the children of the migrant community took root.

Source Origin: Chen, Lian Pang. (2015) 50 Years of the Chinese Community in Singapore. Singapore: World Scientific. P.30

Use Record: Nan Chiau High School, 2017

Page 3 of 5

An ex-Indian convict's experience as a labourer in colonial Singapore in the late 19th century.

A commentary on the Bangsawan by a Malay historian written in 1898.

A description of Samsui women, who worked in many construction sites in Singapore during the 1930s

Adapted from a historian’s account on Chinese secret societies in colonial Singapore.

Adapted from a historian’s account of Chinese clan associations in colonial Singapore.

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