|
|
Weddings
Many types of weddings exist in Singapore. Chinese, Indian, Malay, Christian, and Peranican wedding celebrations can be seen in Singapore.
Masami's co-worker, Jamie, is a Peranican. 200 years ago, a princess from China traveled to Malacca, Malaysia with her servants to marry the Sultan. She and her servants settled and adopted Malaysian culture. This group of people became known as Peranican. In a Peranican wedding, the women wear colorful Peranican dresses. These are Jamie's relatives at his sister's wedding.
Picture provided by Jamie.
The only wedding Masami attended in Singapore is her co-worker Roger's. He was raised Christian and met his wife at church. The priest's speech and the choir songs were all in Chinese. Some of the attendees were dressed so casually that Masami thought some curious bystanders wandered in by mistake.
 |
 |
|
| Photos provided by Wee Poh. | ||
Festivals
Singapore celebrates festive days of the ethnic cultures that make up Singapore society. Most festivals are not based on the western calendar, so their dates vary each year.
Hari Raya Puasa (National Holiday)
This celebrates the end of ramadan (fasting by Moslems) on 1st day of the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. Geylang street hosts a huge market to celebrate the occasion.
Chinese New Year (National Holiday)
Chinese Singaporeans place more importance on Chinese New Year than on January 1st. Relatives get together and give money to unmarried children, exchange mandarin oranges, have a big meal to wish for a prosperous year.
Thaipusam
A Hindu festival where young men hypnotized by a Hindu priest carry heavy decorations with needles sticking into their bodies. While decorated and pierced, the men walk between two Hindu temples.
 |
 |
| Taking out the needles. | Can you see needles sticking into his body? |
Hari Raya Haji (National Holiday)
This celebrates the Haj pilgrim gathering in the Islam holy place, Mecca, on the 12th month of the Islamic calendar.
Good Friday (National Holiday)
Christian holiday.
Vesak Day (National Holiday)
Buddhist festival to celebrate the birth of Budda.
National Day (August 9th, National Holiday)
Singapore Independence Day. Singapore became independent from Malaysia in 1965. A huge parade takes place at the National Stadium. Most Singaporean households hang the National Flag in front of their home.
Hungry Ghost Festival (7th month of the lunar calendar)
In Daoism, it is believed that the gate to the hell opens on the 7th lunar month. People burn special ghost papers and offer food to appease the ghosts from inflicting harm on people.
Mooncake Festival (August 15th of the lunar calendar)
Also called the Lantern Festival and the Mid Autumn Festival, Moon Cakes are eaten while viewing the full moon. At the Chinese Garden in Singapore, thousands of cloth lanterns in the shapes of animals, pagodas, etc are on display. Free paper lanterns and candle are handed out to the children for free.
Deepavali (National Holiday)
This Hindu festival is also called the Festival of Light. It celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Little India in Singapore is lit up in a festive spirit.
Photo provided by Roba Matsuda.
Christmas (December 25th)
Orchard Road and Raffles City in Singapore are decorated with Christmas lights. Even Singaporeans who aren't Christian exchange gifts and have Christmas parties. This year, we stayed at the Ritz Carlton for several days to celebrate. On Christmas day, when there was a downpour of rain, the hotel staff shouted, "Singapore snow!"
Photo provided by Roba Matsuda.
New Year's Day (January 1st)
This coming New Years will be our first in Singapore. Unfortunately, because we're both in the computer software industry, we're "on call" this year. Hopefully the computer systems will continue to run without any crashes.
References: Handbook for Expatriates (Rank Books) and Masami's co-workers.
