Cultures and Festivals

Singapore is a comopolitan society where the population of all races live and interact together in harmony. Diversity of this population defines the culture of Singapore as the various ethnic groups celebrate their own cultures while intermingling with one another. Along with this rich inherent cultural diversity are the festivities celebrated in Singapore.

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year, usually celebrated in January or February, is the most important festival in the Chinese lunar calendar and has been so for thousands of years. The festive period lasts for 15 days.

Origins of the festival have been linked to the legend of the Nian – a mythical beast that appeared just before Chinese New Year to prey on humans. It was believed that Nian was afraid of loud noises and the colour red. To scare away the beast, the Chinese put up red paper decorations and set off loud firecrackers. Although this is still practised today, many have forgotten the reason for doing so.

To prepare for Chinese New Year, many families spring clean their households days or weeks before the occasion. No cleaning is done during the actual festive period as it is believed to be inauspicious to do so (good luck will be swept away). Chinatown comes alive during this period as many families do their New Year shopping there, buying red paper decorations and goodies such as nian gao (New Year’s cake), mandarin oranges, melon seeds etc..

On the eve of Chinese New Year, families gather together to have their traditional reunion dinners. New Year’s Day will see many families in their brand new clothes visiting relatives. Red packets are given out and mandarin oranges are exchanged. Yusheng (or raw fish) is also eaten for prosperity.

In Singapore, the first and second days of Chinese New Year are public holidays. The Singapore River Hong Bao celebration and Chingay Parade are held annually to celebrate the occasion.

An important day in the Christian calendar, Good Friday marks the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ at Calvary. Easter, which falls on the Sunday after Good Friday, commemorates his resurrection. This is important to the Christians as they believe that it is through Christ’s death that they are redeemed and given the gift of eternal life.

Churches in Singapore celebrate by holding special services. A holy communion is held on Good Friday in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice. Easter Sunday is also a popular day for converts to be baptised in the faith.

Good Friday is a public holiday in Singapore.

Vesak Day is an event in the Buddhist calendar. It commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Siddharta Gautama Sakyamuni Buddha. Vesak Day falls on the full moon of the fourth lunar month and is also known as Buddha Day.

On Vesak Day, devotees visit the temples for a day of prayer and meditation. In the temples, monks chant the holy sutras, and the ritual of “bathing” the Buddha statue by pouring perfumed water over it is performed. Buddhists only eat vegetarian food on this day. The practice of dana (virtue of generosity) is observed by donating to the poor and freeing of caged animals. Buddhist youths also participate in mass blood donation drives held in hospitals.

At Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Temple, the “Three Steps, One Bow” ritual for which the temple is famed is performed. Devotees walk three steps, bow, rise, and this is repeated while walking around the stupa. Vesak Day is a public holiday in Singapore and usually falls in May.

Hari Raya Puasa (or Eid-ul-Fitr) is one of the most important Muslim festivals in Singapore. It falls on the first day of the Islamic month of Syawal and marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting.

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims who are fit are expected to fast from dawn till dusk. The fast is broken after sunset with light dishes of dates or apricots followed by a big meal. This is followed by special prayers known as tarawih. During this period, Muslims are also expected to give alms (zakat-ul-fitr) in the form of basic foodstuffs which are collected at mosques and distributed to other Muslims in need.

Hari Raya Puasa is a public holiday in Singapore. During this festive period, Muslims head to Geylang Serai to shop for new clothes, home decorations and food for the celebrations.

On the day of the festival, Muslims don their new traditional Malay costumes and attend a special Eid prayer.

This is followed by a visit to friends and relatives where everyone partakes in festive food and drink. Children are also given duit raya (gifts of money) by their elders.

Deepavali, also known as Festival of Lights, is an important Hindu festival. It marks the triumph of good over evil and is celebrated on the 14th day of the Tamil month of Aipasi which is usually in October or November.

Due to its long history, there are many myths and legends associated with its origins. In Singapore, many Hindus believe that it marks the day Lord Krishna killed the evil demon king, Narakasura, who had been wreaking havoc on the people.

Hindus prepare for Deepavali by spring cleaning their homes weeks before the day. On the day of Deepavali, Hindus rise early to take a ritual oil bath which signifies bathing in the River Ganges. New clothes are donned and prayers are said at the family altar. Hindus also make a visit to the temples to seek the blessings of Lord Krishna and Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth. At night, homes are lit with rows of oil lamps and children play with sparklers to celebrate.

Deepavali is a public holiday in Singapore. During this festive period, Little India is decorated with colourful lights to mark the occasion.

The streets are crowded with roadside stalls and shoppers looking to fill their bags with Indian foods and spices, and beautiful saris to celebrate the festival.

Hari Raya Haji (or Eid-ul-Adha) is a Muslim festival that falls on the 10th of the Islamic month of Dhulhijjah. It commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail, to Allah. The festival also marks the conclusion of Haj, the annual pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

Hari Raya Haji is also known as the Festival of Sacrifice. When Ismail’s life was spared, a ram was sacrificed in his place. Thus, on this day, Muslims sacrifice sheep and cattle in remembrance of Ibrahim’s sacrifice.

In Singapore, Hari Raya Haji is a public holiday. Muslim families here rise early to say their special prayers and spend the rest of the day visiting friends and relatives.

Christmas is a Christian festival that commemorates the birth of Christ. It falls on the 25th of December and is a public holiday in Singapore. Christians believe that Jesus Christ, born to Mary and Joseph in a humble manger, is the Son of God.

In Singapore, Christians celebrate the festival by attending church services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Homes are decorated with Christmas trees and presents are exchanged between friends and relatives.

During this festive season, Orchard Road is decorated with merry twinkling lights and other colourful decorations, making it a magical place for photo-taking. Christmas carols can be heard ringing in shopping centres and supermarkets throughout the island.