Celebrating the culture and heritage of the Malay community

Speech by Mr Baey Yam Keng, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth at the launch of Malay CultureFest 2017 and ‘Sirri Na Pesse: Navigating Bugis Identities in Singapore’ community co-curated exhibition

Madam Zuraidah Abdullah, Chairperson, Malay Heritage Foundation

Ms Chang Hwee Nee, CEO, National Heritage Board

Distinguished guests

Ladies and gentlemen

1. A very good evening, and salam sejahtera. I’m happy to be here this evening to launch the Malay Heritage Centre’s (MHC) annual Malay CultureFest and the special exhibition, “Sirri na Pesse: Navigating Bugis Identities in Singapore”.
   
   

   Adat and the importance of intangible cultural heritage

2. The focus of this year’s Malay CultureFest is on adat, which refers to the customs and traditions of the Malay community. This is an important aspect of our intangible cultural heritage, that is deeply interwoven with our daily practices and habits.
3. Intangible cultural heritage, or warisan budaya tidak ketara, takes many rich and diverse forms. It can include food heritage, performing arts, social practices, traditional craftsmanship, oral traditions, rituals and festive events. Yet, all of these forms are very much a reflection of Singapore’s multicultural roots, and shape our sense of who we are as a nation.
4. Our intangible cultural heritage can also bring people from diverse backgrounds closer together. In an increasingly globalised world, a deeper understanding of the intangible cultural heritage of different communities paves the way for more intercultural dialogues and encourages mutual respect and appreciation. This year’s Malay CultureFest presents various forms of intangible cultural heritage in the Malay community, ranging from an Asli music showcase; to the festival’s closing performance by MHC’s artist incubation group, Hatch Theatrics. Titled Malam Puteri-Puteri Malang, or Night of the Forlorn Princesses, this performance will feature a contemporary re-telling of Malay myths and legends.
5. Over the last three years, MHC has also organised special exhibitions on the diversity within the ethnic Malay community, and how this contributes to the richness of Singapore’s heritage and culture. The special exhibition that we are launching tonight was co-curated with the Bugis community. The exhibition’s title, ‘Sirri na Pesse’, translates to “honour and pride”. A guiding principle of the Bugis people, it is also reflected in their adat practices, stories and legends.
6. The beauty of intangible cultural heritage lies in its evolving nature, as it reflects the living culture of a people. As cultures, traditions and practices are passed down from one generation to the next, they change over time to remain relevant and meaningful to those who practise them. And just like other communities who settled and eventually made Singapore their home, the Bugis people also adapted their culinary traditions to the local context. For instance, in Sulawesi, the traditional Bugis dish of burasak – rice dumpling steamed in coconut milk – is usually served with bejobok, a spicy mix of toasted coconut and flaked fish. But in Singapore, the dish is served with rendang!
7. As a multicultural society, Singapore has its own special brand of intangible cultural heritage. This is because our traditions and practices often undergo adaptations and influences from other communities to become something uniquely Singaporean. This appreciation for different cultures celebrates our diversity and the bonds that connect us. It also inspires people, and some of the creative works that will be featured in this special exhibition.
   
   

   Tangible cultural heritage as an anchor of identity

8. Intangible cultural heritage cannot exist alone. Tangible aspects of our heritage, like family heirlooms and objects, are equally important. The special exhibition features more than 40 artefacts, which are on loan from the Bugis and the larger Malay community in Singapore, our National Collection, and overseas museums. So together, the exhibits showcase the tangible and intangible aspects of the rich history and heritage of the Bugis community. They also reflect the community’s connections to the rest of the Malay Archipelago, and explores the Bugis identity in the context of modern Singapore.
   
   

   Partnering the community to promote Malay culture

9. Since its re-opening in 2012, MHC has been collaborating with the community to promote Malay culture and keep the gotong royong spirit alive. Many young Singaporeans, such as Abdul Wafi Waliyuddin bin Abdul Raib, have actively contributed to this year’s Malay CultureFest and special exhibition. With his keen interest in the Bugis language and culture, Abdul Wafi worked closely with the MHC curators and also volunteered his time as a community guide on the Jalan Kubor Bugis Trail, which is part of the exhibition programme. Another young Singaporean couple of Bugis descent recently got married in a traditional Bugis ceremony, and loaned some of their wedding attire and accessories to the exhibition, which we will see later.
   
   

   Conclusion

10. In closing, I would like to acknowledge the Bugis community for generously sharing your stories and family heirlooms for the special exhibition, and for lending your support to the Malay CultureFest. Thank you very much for your support – this shows a strong sense of ownership from the community and I hope that more Singaporeans will develop an interest in learning about, and contributing to our heritage and culture.
11. I wish all of you a very enjoyable evening ahead. Thank you.