The Island Republic of Singapore is a surprising city ! Chinatown - a city within a city-is a surprising place too! The local name of this ethnic quarter,which has recently been refurbished, is Niu Che Shui,which,would you believe,translates into English,as Bullock Cart water.
The name was coined when households in the early days used to collect water from a well in Spring Street in ... bullock carts. Most of the early residents had arrived at the mouth of the Singapore River in 1821 from Xiamen in China's Fukien province.
The Hokkiens concentrated their trading efforts along the likes of Telok Ayer Street,China Street and Chulia Street,the Teochews continued their farmer-fishermen tradition.occupying Circular Road and South Bridge Road whilst the Cantonese-traditionally in occupations such as tailors,goldsmiths and restauranteurs,built their shophouses along Temple Street,Pagoda Street and Mosque Street.
This specialisation is not the really surprising thing about Chinatown- what is surprising is that Singapore's oldest Hindu temple, the Sri Mariamman,is located at the heart of Chinatown in South Bridge Road.It was constructed back in 1827 and in 1973 was delared a national monument.It is dedicated to the goddess Mariamman who is known among believers for curing serious epidemics such as cholera, chicken pox and small-pox - that tells you something about sanitary standards in early 19 th century Singapore. The temple's most significant ceremony is Thimithi,in honour of the Goddess. During this ceremony,well worth watching,the devotees walk over hot coals to test their spirituality. Other religious buildings in this fascinating ethnic enclave include the Al-Abrar Mosque,the Nagore Durha Shrine, and the Thian Hock Keng Temple.With mosques,Indian temples,great Chinese eateries, and Buddhist temples,Chinatown really is a surprising place!
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