7th March learning journey at Chinatown

     History

  In 1822, Raffles had plans for an orderly city segregated by ethnicity. This vision unfolded in the Jackson Plan of 1822 where four ethnic areas were designated for the different ethnic groups.The ethnic Chinese were allocated the area southwest of the Singapore River and Chinatown was born.
    
     Within Chinatown, each dialect group occupied distinct areas and built social institutions such as clan associations to serve the collective needs of each dialect group.
   

    

    The Hokkien community were located at Telok Ayer. Teochew at Boat Quay, North and South Canal Roads, Merchant Road, Carpenter Street, New Market Road, Upper Circular Road. Cantonese at Kreta Ayer Road, Temple Street, Pagoda Street, Mosque Street, Sago Street, Sago Lane and Hakkas at Upper Chin Chew Street, Upper Nankin Street and Upper Cross Street.

    The Hokkien, among the earliest to arrive in Singapore, took on trade and commerce and came to dominate as business owners. 


The Teochew specialised in agriculture, with many making their fortunes from gambier and pepper. 

    The Cantonese became miners and artisans, taking on occupations such as bricklayers, carpenters, woodcutters, tailors, jewellers and goldsmiths. 

    Like the Cantonese, the Hakkas worked in craft-related occupations but also dominated the niche trade of pawn broking. 

    The Hainanese were among the latest to arrive and had fewer options – they entered the service industries, and specialised in occupations associated with food and beverage, such as coffee stall holders, assistants, bakers, barmen and waiters.

World War 2

    When the 2nd World War came to Singapore in 1942, Chinatown suffered the brunt of Japan's frequent air raids. There were no air shelters and with Chinatown being so crowded, casualties reached as many as 2,000 a day. During the Japanese Occupation, the loss of jobs caused thousands to turn to hawking on the streets.

After the war, Chinatown gradually recovered and even flourished, entering into its ‘golden age' in the 50s. 

     
     From its humble beginnings, Chinatown lived through many trials and tribulations to become the jewel we know today. In 1989, the areas Telok Ayer, Tanjong Pagar, Bukit Pasoh and Kreta Ayer were granted official conservation status. Shophouses that once held coolie houses, opium dens, brothels, goods and factories, today hold offices, shops and restaurants – each of which pay homage to the historical roots of Chinatown in their own way.

Attractions

Buddha tooth relic temple

Sri Mariamman temple




Credits:

http://www.btrts.org.sg/history-of-chinatown
http://www.chinatownology.com/chinatown_singapore.html
http://www.chinatown.sg/index.php?fx=soc-stories-page&sid=1
http://singaporevisitorguide.com/AttractionImage.asp?ID=58
http://www.singapore-vacation-attractions.com/indian-temple-photos.html