Kampong Glam

In this day and age where technology and traditions evolve faster than the blink of an eye, it's no surprise that many often forget their past. Humans change with the times like seasons and tides. Our traditional shophouses are replaced with skyscrapers and most of the food we see is fusion cuisine, integrated from other countries due to globalisation no less. Though change is necessary to keep up with the global superpowers who are much larger in comparison to our little red dot, holding on to our roots is vital in shaping our identity as a community and nation. 

Singapore recognises the need for heritage sites and has thus created Kampong Glam. Walking into the place for the first time feels as though you've travelled back to the 1900s, where our forefathers once made their mark in Singapore's rich history. One example, a place that no one should miss when visiting the area, is the famous Islamic Restaurant. It had held on strong amidst the Covid-19 pandemic yet nothing has changed. Its interior still reflects the same design of a traditional Arab house and the whole business is passed down from generation to generation. Mr Kalil, a member of the 3rd generation of the Alsagoff family, now runs the restaurant. He described how the restaurant did have to make minor changes to stay competitive in the F&B industry. Yet their signature dish, the legendary Beryani, has never changed. 

Another place would be the Sultan Hotel, one of the heritage hotels of Singapore. With its welcoming staff, one would be able to explore the building without booking a stay at the hotel. The place is fairly quiet yet it tells many stories just from the unique architecture. Upon further research, this hotel was once a place to print papers and books for the Al Ahmadiah Press since 1912. After the world war, when the government asserted control over the press, the Al Ahmadiah Press was forced to be closed. The owners of the current Sultan Hotel have decided to keep its architecture for future generations to marvel at and remember. 

As seen from these two heritage sites, it is clear that change is inevitable. The mark of our forefathers have indeed faded with time, but that does not mean it is lost completely. As we trace our steps back through our history, there is always much to be learnt – from the way of life, to the lasting effects of major events – all reflected in the architecture, the traditional foods and overall atmosphere of the place. These heritage sites give people firsthand experiences and front row seats to what happened over the years. And in my opinion, it is  much better to witness them than simply read what is captured among the pages of textbooks with nothing but paper and ink.