Singapore
Celebrate the vibrant cultural blend of Malay, Indian, and Chinese timeless legacy in the heat of dynamic society.
The charming blend of civilizations
The enchanting Singaporean textile heritage represents a delightful fusion of Malay, Indian, and Chinese influences. Each fabric embodies the pride of Singapore, stemming from the ancient Hindu Srivijaya empire to the magnificent Malay kingdoms. As one of the most renowned and historically significant ports of the Malacca Strait, Singapore becomes a melting pot of cultural influences, resulting in breathtaking woven textiles, exquisite silk textiles, embroideries, and delicate needleworks. Accented with shimmering gold threads on silk and cotton, these exceptional creations beautifully echo the artistic traditions of India, China, and Malaysia. Discover a world where heritage and craftsmanship intertwine, for in each thread, a story is waiting to be told.
Photo Credit: own collection Puspita A. Permatasari 2023
singaporean motifs
History
languages of colours
Early influence of Singaporean textile
Singaporean textile heritage is deeply rooted in the influences of Malay, Indian, and Chinese culture. From the early Malay-Hindu Srivijaya empire to the colonial periods, these influences have shaped Singaporean identity. Textiles hold great significance as a cultural expression, as highlighted in Malay literature. Manuscripts such as the Malay Annals and Tawarikh Raja-Raja Melaka dan Pahang, among others, provide valuable insight into the role of textiles in traditional royal ceremonies and trade. The term “Pesalinan” signifies the act of giving textiles for specific customs or purposes, representing the value of Malay textile heritage in ancient times. Singapore, as a renowned port along the Malacca Strait, has been a hub for cultural exchange between Malays, Indians, and Chinese residents, resulting in a rich variety of textiles encompassing silk, cotton, gold threads, and design elements inspired by Indian, Chinese, and Malay decorative arts.
Singaporean textile & ethnicities
Over the centuries, textile trading has been one of the most significant activities in Singapore, further enhancing its cultural diversity and historical importance. The intricate connections between Tamasek (ancient Singapore), Johor, Pahang, and Riau are documented in history, showcasing the exchange of textiles as community goods. The reign of Sultan Sulaiman Badrul Alamsyah II witnessed the flourishing trade between Daik Lingga kingdom and Singapore, establishing Daik river in Riau Harbor as a prominent hub for international commerce. The royal cultures of Malay society in Singapore are characterized by various types of textiles, including cindai, woven textile, Zarzuri, rivet, and limar textile. These textiles are often named after their functions, region of origin, or place of trading, serving as a testament to their cultural significance.
The mixed culture of Singaporean society recognizes a Malay term ‘Peranakan,’ which signifies the assimilation of Chinese ethnic groups with other ethnicities such as Malay, Arab, and Indian. In addition to the notable techniques of Batik textile making, needlework and embroidery stand out as a prominent intangible cultural heritage in Singapore. Various needlework practices and textile arts showcase the exquisite beauty of Nyonya-style embroideries, enriching the characteristic of Singaporean textile heritage. This art form is predominantly passed down through generations and practiced by female housewives, who are commonly referred to as ‘Nyonya.’ The term ‘Nyonya’ derives from the Malay language and signifies a married woman, including both young and elderly women.
Photograph of Njonja Majoor-titulair Be Biauw Tjoan (née Tan Ndjiang Nio), Woodbury & Page, 1870 via Wikipedia, Public Domain
techniques variety
Singaporean TEXTILE HERITAGE
Embroidery
Photo credit: Puspita A. Permatasari 2023
Embroidery
Needlework holds a significant place as an intangible cultural heritage in Southeast Asia. The distinctive style of embroideries portrays the exquisite textile heritage of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Philippines, and Singapore. Embroidery skills were primarily practiced by women of Chinese descents, serving as a means for refining their womanhood and garnering social esteem during the late 18th to 19th centuries in Singapore.
beadswork
Beadswork
Beadswork is a craft technique that involves the use of beads to create decorative or functional objects, including jewelry, clothing embellishments, and bags. Archaeological evidence from East Timor site indicates the use of seed Coix lacryma-jobi dated to approximately pre-3000 BC. In combination with embroidery, this technique is popular to adorn ceremonial textiles and wedding costumes in Singapore.
Batik & TIE DYE
Photo credit: P. A. Permatasari 2023
Batik and Tie dye
Tie dye and Batik or wax resist dyeing technique has gone through a long and rich history, dating back to ca. 5000 BC. The first hand writing technique or Batik Tulis was mentioned in Cĕkĕr inscription of Kediri Kingdom of Indonesia in 12th CE. Batik and tie dye technique became popular as a textile production technique in Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore, highly characterized by local arts.
journey of thousand miles
silk road maritime textile research documentary
COUNTRY
Singapore
discover the merlion land
stroll the city and more
Explore the vibrant heritage of textile heritage regions/countries along the magnificent Southeast Asian Silk Road. Immerse yourself in the captivating tales woven through Singaporean textile cities, and step into the splendid Asian Civilization Museum in Singapore to delve deeper into this rich Silk Road legacy. Discover the artistry and legacy that has shaped Singaporean cultural identity, as you feel the atmosphere. Reveal the secrets of Singaporean textile traditions and let this discovery transport you to a world of remarkable beauty and fascinating stories.
DESTINATIONS
Asian Civilization Museum in Singapore
Asian Civilization Museum (ACM) offers a captivating exploration of Asia’s rich artistic heritage, showcasing an exceptional collection of masterpieces and world-class textile heritage as special exhibitions. As Singapore’s national museum of Asian antiquities and decorative art, this museum allures its visitors to delve into the historical connections between cultures and civilizations in Asia, as well as the global interactions that shaped the continent’s history. Reflecting its legacy as a bustling port city, Singapore serves as a lens through which we examine Asia’s past, highlighting the exchange of ideas, trade, and the flow of religions and faith that flourished through international commerce. Photo Credit: @P. A. Permatasari 2023
Website: Asian Civilisations Museum (nhb.gov.sg)
Peranakan Museum in Singapore
As a must-visit destination in Singapore, the Peranakan Museum showcases the rich culture of Peranakan communities in Southeast Asia. It houses an extensive collection of Peranakan objects, making it one of the most renowned public collections. The museum has recently undergone a refreshing transformation, featuring brand-new permanent galleries that exhibit extraordinary objects from Peranakan material culture including Batik, intricate embroidery and other royal objects. Offering a more contemporary and immersive experience, every gallery features works of art, fashion, design, and craft by talented local and regional artists, artisans, and designers, capturing the essence of Peranakan culture in a modern context. Photo Credit: @P. A. Permatasari 2023
Website: Peranakan Museum (nhb.gov.sg)
Chinatown Urban Heritage Complex
This enchanting Chinatown is known as a subzone and ethnic enclave situated within the Outram district in the Central Area of Singapore. Embodied by its distinctly Chinese cultural elements, Chinatown boasts a rich history of a concentrated ethnic Chinese population with intergenerational boutique hotels and textile galleries. While evolving from its roots as an enclave, this vibrant precinct remains deeply rooted in its historical and cultural significance. Notably, extensive sections have been designated official national heritage sites for preservation by the Singaporean Urban Redevelopment Authority. Photo Credit: @P. A. Permatasari 2023
Website: Explore Chinatown: Attractions & Activities – Visit Singapore Official Site