Leluhur: Singapore's Kampong Gelam

Leluhur

Original language: Javanese

Meaning: Nenek moyang or Ancestors

...

Finally. What a journey this has been! Hey, those little rocks in your shoes are part of the trek through the Portse Tenga of Life.

...

This is the story of Kampong Gelam, Singapore’s heritage district. Kampong Gelam, a cosmopolitan village named after the Gelam (Kayu putih or Melaleuca cajuputi) tree which once grew in abundance in the area. Once the centre of trade and commerce connecting Singapore to the rest of the Malay Archipelago, Kampong Gelam served as a religious, intellectual and social hub for the Malays in Singapore. It also functioned as a Pilgrim Hub for would-be pilgrims bound for Saudi Arabia.

In 1989, the Singapore government gazetted Kampong Gelam and accorded it the status of a conservation area. A popular tourist attraction as it may be, Kampong Gelam’s rich history and heritage nevertheless extend well beyond the descriptions found in glossy tourism publicity blitz. More importantly, at the heart of it all, Kampong Gelam was home to modern Singapore’s pioneers, entrepreneurs, craftsmen and residents including the author, Hidayah, who was born in Gedung Kuning (Yellow Mansion). 

To embrace the authentic spirit of Kampong Gelam, you are invited to embark on a journey to Leluhur, returning to the land of our Ancestors.

...

*my 13th book since 2010, alhamdulillah (praises to God)