Yan Kai's Reflection

Yan Kai's Reflection

What was your impression of Singapore history and cultural heritage before going on the trail?

My initial feeling when i headed for the tour is much of anticipation and excitement. It was rather exciting as it was my first time to go on a heritage tour at Joo Chiat. I never took a liking to heritage tour as it has always been the same places (Kampung Glam) back in primary school. There were no opportunities of sorts when i was in Secondary School. Hence, i was really looking forward to the trip.

Before going to the trail, i was expecting a variety of well preserved, possibly left untouched, architecture along Joo Chiat road and in Katong. I would expect a substantial amount of historical sites which we can explore, as well as in depth explanation and education through the heritage boards along the way. Nonetheless, my impression of Singapore History would be one plagued by difficulties and resistance, which Singapore would have overcome, or a mistake of the past which Singapore ought to learn from.   

How has your experience of the trail changed your perception of Singapore history and her cultural heritage? AND Share some insights about Singapore’s past and the way it is represented (symbolically and physically) that you have gained from the trail.

Upon the trail, we managed to see the rich, multicultural side of Singapore which is enriching for us all. Through the walk, we managed to see the interchanging cultures within one area itself. it did not dawn upon me till i realised that the area alone comprised of four different religious worship grounds. This is truly what makes us, physically, an intercultural country. This is something i thought singaporeans ought to be proud of. Despite our differences, all these different religious buildings can exist side by side, not more than two or three streets apart. This is a great acheivement compared to countries plagued by racial and religious segregation. This is possibly why racial and religious harmony, or multiculturalism, is highly valued. This is evident in the preservation of religious sites with historical values as well.

Moreover, most of the narratives shown during the trail, through the heritage board, has depicted a very strong and prosperous Singapore since the colonial days. This was not what i expected as the narratives seem to undermine the major struggles of those days. As such, many areas targeted for preservation seem to depict the 'positive' side of Singapore history, which ought to be "half the story" that is supposed to be told. But then again, there are possible reasons why these buildings were targeted and why only certain narratives were portrayed in those heritage boards.

As i continued on the trail, the more i come to realise a common trend among the narratives. There tends to be little or no history (be it online or through the heritage boards) on the issues or struggles of Joo Chiat. For instance, regarding the heritage board found outside of the i12 Katong Mall, the narrative places alot of focus on the prosperity of Singapore and the attractiveness of Singapore during the colonial and postcolonial days.

It would seem that the narratives ought to direct Singaporeans, or even to a certain extent the tourists, towards the prosperity of historical Singapore which we ought to identify with. Furthermore, it would also seem that the whole narrative pushed the idea of unity and multiculturalism. This narrative itself presents Singapore as a country that strives and will continue to strive with multiculturalism. The whole idea of showing the variety of cultures within one area would suggest so. Moreover, the areas targeted for preservation seem to show a side of Singapore that is "well to do". Since this is a heritage tour  is highly valued as a tourist site, this narrative presented to the foreigners would also present Singapore as a strong nation, even during the colonial days. If this was what the heritage tour hoping to achieve and educate the young Singaporeans, i would say it has done a pretty good job because i definitely felt proud to be a Singaporean knowing that our strength lies in our differences and it we are meant to be a striving multicultural state since the colonial days.