Kampong Glam

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Kampong Glam
Subzone of
Jawi)
 • Chinese甘榜格南
 • PinyinGānbǎnggénán
 • Tamilகம்போங் கிளாம்
Masjid Sultan
(Sultan Mosque) and Bussorah Pedestrian Mall at Kampong Glam.
Istana Kampong Glam at the Malay Heritage Centre in Kampong Glam

Kampong Glam (

planning area of Rochor
, known as the Malay-Muslim quarter.

History

The name of the area is thought to be derived from a Melaleuca species tree, called "gelam" in Malay.[1] "Kampong" (modern spelling "kampung") simply means "village".

Prior to colonisation by the

Sultan Hussein Shah of Johor and Temenggong Abdul Rahman in 1819. The company was given the right to set up a trading post
in Singapore under this treaty.

During the colony's

Arab communities, many of whom were merchants
. It was situated east of what was then the European Town.

While the Temenggong and his followers settled in

Muslim immigrants to Singapore, including the Malays from Malacca, the Riau Islands and Sumatra
in Indonesia. It also included the Baweanese, Banjarese, Chinese and Indians.

The second half of the nineteenth century saw the rapid growth of immigrant communities in Kampong Glam, initially from Sumatra, and later from other parts of Indonesia and Malaya. This resulted in the setting up of different kampongs, like Kampong Malacca, Kampong Java and Kampong Bugis. There were also a small but successful Arab community of traders in the area.

In the early twentieth century, commercial activities in Kampong Glam expanded as new

multi-ethnic
community soon developed there, comprising not only Malays and Arabs but also the Chinese and Indians.

Later, due to an expansion of commercial activities and an increase in immigrant settlers in Kampong Glam, the Arabs moved to areas like

Dunearn Road near the junction of Balmoral Road and Chancery Lane, near Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road)
today, was called Tunggal Road).

By the early 1920s, many Malays also moved out to designated resettlement areas in

Kampong Eunos
.

Present

Aerial perspective of Kampong Glam. October 2018.
Restored shophouses on Kandahar Street
.

Today, Kampong Glam still retains strong ties to the Native-Malay and Muslim community and has sometimes been termed the "Muslim Quarter" due to its history. The Muslim population still remains a significant presence in Kampong Glam, especially in Bussorah Street. The area remains a centre for Muslim activities and the Sultan Mosque remains a major landmark and congregation point for the Singapore Muslims.

Kampong Glam Bussorah Pedestrian Mall (Night)
Bussorah Pedestrian Mall at night.

Like

crafts and curiosity shops, food caterers, cafes, bars and restaurants. They blend in with traditional businesses like textile and carpet shops, blacksmiths
and shops selling religious items used by Muslims. It is also an area of good restaurants, from Malaysian coffee shops and bakeries to fine modern European dining, like Le Pont De Vie.

On 16 December 2006, a fire destroyed four

Firefighters controlled the fire by surrounding it as it spread through the roof. According to eyewitnesses, the fire started from the second floor of the blacksmith shop. The blacksmith shop is one of the oldest types of shophouses in Singapore which was used for educational tours. It is the last blacksmith shop in the area. [2]

On 20 june 2014, the One Kampong Gelam association was established to enliven and establish Kampong Glam as a vibrant cultural district. The association has since initiated changes such as better car parking systems, road closures, and Ramadan celebrations.[3]

Kampong Glam Ramadan food fair.
Annual Ramadan food fair at Aliwal Street.

Political history

Beginning from the

S. Rajaratnam until 1988 when Loh Meng See
took over and served until 2006.

However, after the

Kampong Glam SMC along with several neighbouring wards were absorbed into the bigger Kampong Glam Group Representation Constituency which existed for only one term and the ruling party People's Action Party
had won the seats on the nomination day itself.

Subsequently, in the

Kampong Glam SMC with single-member representation that lasted until the 2001 general election whereby the redrawing of electoral boundaries saw it absorbed into Jalan Besar Group Representation Constituency, which includes parts of the Downtown Core
.

Loh has since retired from politics by

Moulmein-Kallang Group Representation Constituency; Edwin Tong
has since taken over the helm. But in 2015, Jalan Besar GRC was revived and both Denise Phua and Dr Yaacob Ibrahim took over the helm of the entire GRC and Edwin Tong was transferred to Marine Parade GRC's Joo Chiat ward.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kampong Glam.

References

  1. ^ Gelam or Kayu putih, Wild Singapore. Updated August 2009, accessed 11 January 2014.
  2. Channel NewsAsia
    .
  3. ^ "One Kampong Gelam". One Kampong Gelam. Retrieved 21 March 2024.

Further reading

External links

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