Have you ever heard of Singapore’s Diamond Village, also known as Kampong Intan? Located in the heart of Kampong Gelam, the area derives its name from the presence of skilled diamond cutters and traders who once operated there, most of whom were from the Banjar community – Singapore’s smallest Malay sub-ethnic group!
Spotlighting the Banjar community, the Malay Heritage Centre (MHC) invites visitors to discover the lesser-known stories and heritage of this community at its special exhibition, entitled Urang Banjar: Heritage and Culture of the Banjar in Singapore, which opens to the public on 28 November. Enriched by community contributions, the exhibition traces the migration history of the Banjar into Singapore, highlights their contributions to Singapore and the wider Malay community, as well as sheds light on their cultural heritage such as traditions, skills and practices.
In conjunction with the exhibition, MHC will also launch its annual Malay CultureFest – which will take place online for the first time. Over two weeks, the public can enjoy a host of programmes by logging on to the festival microsite, which will showcase the diversity of Malay artistic and cultural expressions in Singapore, including that of the vibrant Banjarese cultural heritage. Festival offerings range from Wayang Banjar performances to Banjarese cooking demonstrations.
Venue: Malay Heritage Centre, 85 Sultan Gate, Singapore 198501
When: 28 Nov 2020 - 25 Jul 2021, 10am - 6pm