Family Life
SALIM IMRAN'S
ACCOUNT
Delving into the family life of a Malay Fisherman, we will take a look into the environment of Kampongs (villages) and the residents residing. The villages were usually situated near the shoreline and rivers. Most of the settlements were located at the currently known place: Geylang Serai, with other small pockets of settlements spreaded around the island.
Malay fishing village
This postcard features the landscape of a Kampong built along a coastline and river in 1910. The Malay fishermen used to live in these conditions while living a simple life.
National Museum of Singapore. Malay Fishing Village. 1910. Image size: L9.1 x W14.1 cm. Postcard. Item from the collection of the National Museum of Singapore.
A Malay immigrant
Taken during the early to middle 19th century, this photograph depicts how a Malay fisherman used to dress during special occasions, wearing sarongs that were mostly brought from their previous hometown, usually residing in Malaya or Indonesia.
National Museum of Singapore. An early Malay immigrant.Early-mid 19th Century. Image size: L9 x W5.6 cm. Photograph and Negative.
Item from the collection of the National Museum of Singapore.
A Javanese family
This depicts a family photo taken in the 1900s. The family culture in a Malay fisherman's family used to be highly bonded. This created the "kampong" spirit of the time.
National Museum of Singapore. A Javanese haji and his family. 1900. Image size: L12.7 x W9.3 cm. Photograph and Negative. Item from the collection of the National Museum of Singapore.
Malay Family with their livestock
This was taken by an RAF pilot based in Singapore during the period of 1938-1939.
Other than fishing, the villages also raised livestock for food and trading, which they used to sell to Chinese merchants called the "tow kay".
National Museum of Singapore. A Malay family with their livestock in the kampong. 1938-1939. Image size: L13.9 x W9 cm. Photograph and Negative.
Item from the collection of the National Museum of Singapore.
A Malay
funeral procession
This photograph shows a Malay funeral procession taken by an RAF pilot based in Singapore from 1938-1939, reflecting the unity of a Malay community, as the village mourns together as one.
National Museum of Singapore. A Javanese haji and his family. 1900. Image size: L12.7 x W9.3 cm. Photograph and Negative. Item from the collection of the National Museum of Singapore.