Join us for Hari Orang Pulau – a vibrant celebration of remembrance, culture, and community. This day brings together Singapore’s former islanders and everyone interested in being a part of this special moment, fostering sharing across cultures and honouring the rich narratives and traditions of the Orang Pulau.
At The Community Hall
About the Panel:
The maritime culture of the Nusantara is a rich and diverse tapestry of traditions, practices, and knowledge. This panel explores the history of seafaring and coastal communities in the region, and how their expertise in fishing, boat-building, navigation and other nautical skills have contributed to Southeast Asia’s maritime heritage and legacy. Experts will also discuss their experiences conducting research in this field, including challenges they may have faced, and the importance of preserving and making accessible these stories and knowledge for future generations.
On the Panel:
Dr Imran Tajudeen
Senior Lecturer at National University of Singapore (NUS), Department of Architecture, specialising in historical architecture in Maritime Southeast Asia.
Dr Hamzah Muzaini
Cultural Geographer from NUS.
Dr Vivianne Wee
Anthropologist with extensive research experience in the Riau Archipelago, Indonesia and Singapore.
Moderator: Syafiqah Jaafar
Assistant Curator at Malay Heritage Centre
At The Community Hall
About the Panel:
Singapore’s coastal communities have long been shaped by diverse ethnic groups united by the sea. This panel explores the historical exchanges between these communities, such as the Teochew, known for fishing and trade, the Bugis, renowned seafarers, and Indians who sailed from the Coromandel Coast.
On the Panel:
Charlene (TBC)
Teochew Community
Piya Raj Sukhani
National University of Singapore
Hafiz Rashid
Storyteller, museum docent, and researcher with a focus on the history, culture, folklore and languages of the Malay Archipelago.
Moderator: Nabilah Said
At The Community Hall
About the Panel:
At the heart of Hari Orang Pulau is community, and this panel brings together community members from various Southern Islands and the Orang Seletar to share personal accounts of their lives, livelihoods, beliefs, and traditions. The Orang Seletar once lived along Singapore’s northern coast and Pulau Seletar, but have since relocated to Johor in the 1960s, where they are now recognised as one of Malaysia’s 18 Orang Asli groups. Discussions will also explore themes of relocation, its impact, and their hopes for the future.
Talking Points
On the Panel:
Jefree Salim
Photographer whose work revolves around the lives of the Orang Seletar who currently live along the coast of Johor. (TBC)
Cik Rohaini Rani
Former islander from Pulau Semakau
Community Member from Pulau Sudong (TBC)
Community Member from Pulau Sekijang (TBC - Lastrina finding)
Moderator: Aidli Mosbit Theatre practitioner and Senior Lecturer at Temasek Polytechnic
At The Community Hall
About the Panel:
Diving into the intersection of heritage and sustainability, this panel explores how coastal communities in Singapore and Southeast Asia navigate changes like climate change and coastal development. Rising sea levels, erosion, and urbanisation not only threaten ecosystems but also endanger cultural traditions and ways of life deeply tied to the sea. At the same time, environmental efforts should be rooted in preserving the cultural identities of coastal communities, especially as they have intimate relationships with the surrounding environment that are intrinsically sustainable. The discussion will highlight how heritage conservation can be a bridge to sustainable development, exploring the role of traditional knowledge and practices in protecting ecosystems.
On the Panel:
Dr Neo Mei Lin
Marine Biologist at St John’s National Marine Laboratory and NUS’ Tropical Marine Science Institute. She is an expert on siput kima (giant clam) biology, ecology, and behaviour, and is also interested in its cultural significance to local communities.
Nithiya Laila
As a Culinary Anthropologist and Founder of SG Seedxchange, I am committed to exploring and advocating for sustainable and equitable food systems, particularly within the Global South. My work centers on the rich food culture and biodiversity of equatorial regions, with a focus on native edible plants.
Dr Faizah Zakaria
Moderator: Ilya Katrinnada
Join us for Hari Orang Pulau – a vibrant celebration of remembrance, culture, and community. This day brings together Singapore’s former islanders and everyone interested in being a part of this special moment, fostering sharing across cultures and honouring the rich narratives and traditions of the Orang Pulau.
At Tanah Dan Air
About the Programme:
Hosted by former Islanders & Island descendants
Hosted by skilled fishermen from the Orang Laut / Pulau community, this workshop introduces participants to traditional fishing methods, such as bubu traps and jaring (gill nets). Participants will explore the materials and techniques unique to these maritime crafts and gain insight into how the craft has evolved over generations. Community members will share stories from their days at sea and explain when and why each method is used, depending on the season, location, and type of fish targeted.
At Tanah Dan Air
About the Programme:
Hosted by the women from the Orang Pulau community
Dive into the nitty-gritty of the Orang Selat cuisine, and the stories behind the ingredients. In our “Understanding Traditional Cooking” Workshop, you would hear first-hand the everyday experiences of finding food for the family, and taste the distinct flavours of the Orang Laut legacy. Former islanders will be sharing what goes into the plate, so join us to celebrate our unique food culture.
At Tanah Dan Air
About the Programme:
Learning about the connections of local flora through Nusantara Cuisine and Local Medicines
Kebon Dapor - which means Garden Kitchen in Malay, by Raja Mohd Fairuz, encourages one to get in touch with the Malay heritage by growing various types of plants used in traditional Malay cuisine.
At Tanah Dan Air
About the Programme:
With Fawzi Nasir
Led by Fawzi Nasir, who grew up on Pulau Sekijang Bendera (St. John’s Island) and a member of the Friends of Marine Parks, the Jong Workshop will be an introduction to the history, significance, design and the craftsmanship of the ancient maritime craft, the Jong. Sourced from local trees and handcrafted on the islands of Singapore, the Jong and Kolek were raced as part of historical events such as the ‘Pesta 5s’, hosted by Minister Othman Wok in 1975. Learn the intricacies of this craft and participate in building a Jong together!
At Tanah Dan Air
About the Programme:
With Wild Dot
Join us for a nature-inspired Art Workshop and dive into the world of natural dyeing with Wild Dot! Roll up your sleeves and get hands-on as you learn to create dyes from coastal elements, exploring traditional techniques that draw from the natural world. Wild Dot will guide you through using all-natural materials for dye and painting, uncovering how communities once sourced colour from their surroundings. This workshop is perfect for art and nature enthusiasts looking to connect with new, sustainable methods of art-making inspired by Mother Earth herself.
At Tanah Dan Air
About the Programme:
Batu Lesung Making (1.5 hours) (TBC)
At Tanah Dan Air
About the Programme:
Silat Groups such as Silat Seni Gayong Nagabura (featuring Silat Gayong, a martial art that originated from Pulau Sudong)
Asnida Daud, descendant of Pulau Sudong, veteran artist and educator
Traditional Malay Dance by Tak Takut Kids Club
Traditional arts and cultural displays to celebrate the vibrant culture of the Orang Pulau and other local communities.
At Tanah Dan Air
About the Programme:
An immersive experience into the history and culture of Singapore’s Orang Pulau, particularly the Southern Islanders. We’ll explore oral histories, sustainable local practices, and the impacts of urban development and climate change on these cultures.
Tour Stops & Talking Points
West Coast Park - Pavilion:
West Coast Park - Wavebreakers:
Community Space
West Coast Park - Jetty:
At Tanah Dan Air
About the Programme:
Communal Dance at the Main Lawn
Joget Dangkung is usually performed by large groups of dancers to create a lively sense of community and celebration, often featured at festive events like weddings or cultural festivals that highlight unity and togetherness within the community.
We will be reaching out to Orkes Melayu Mutiara, led by Nasir Abdullah, for the accompanying music.
The views expressed here are solely those of the author(s) in his/her private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of the National Heritage Board and/or any government agencies.
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