As the last surviving kampong on the mainland, Kampong Buangkok serves as a juxtaposition against the modern cosmopolitan city, highlighting the camaraderie and kampong spirit that is paradoxically absent in today's world
In cosmopolitan Singapore, everyone and everything is hectic and fast-paced. Yet in a corner of Singapore, exists a place where time slows down to a peaceful pace, and residents enjoy a simple yet relaxing lifestyle, content with their status quo.
This xanadu of greenery and nostalgia exists in the North-Eastern part of Singapore. Established in 1956, Kampong Lorong Buangkok is the last surviving kampong (Malay term for village) on Singapore's mainland. The kampong was also known as Selak Kain, which meant 'hitching up one's skirt' as people used to hitch their skirts up to wade through floods whenever the kampong experienced flash floods in the 20th century
The land was first acquired by Mr Sng Teow Hoon, a traditional Chinese medicine seller, who rented out land for people to build homes. It was later handed down to his children, one of whom is Miss Sng Mui Hong, who is currently still living in the kampong. Kampong Buangkok used to house about 40 familes, but has since shrunk to the size of approximately two soccer fields with less than 30 families now. Each family pays a token sum of less than $30 to Miss Sng as monthly rent.
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The Singapore Daily:
– Under The Angsana Tree: The Last Kampong in Singapore
– Under The Angsana Tree: The Last Kampong in Singapore
Kampung Spirit & Gotong Royong
Kampung Spirit: Blast from the past
Those were the (kampung) days. An important part of Singapore’s treasured heritage, the kampung (village) spirit refers to a sense of community and solidarity.
Life in a kampung was mostly harmonious and it was not uncommon for people to readily offer their neighbours food, help and support. Oral history interviewee Chan Chong Beng remembers that he could even sleep with his doors open in the kampung without worry.
As the nation progressed and these villages made way for housing estates, the kampung spirit can still be seen, most recently in how neighbours have reached out to each other during COVID-19. Check out this curated selection of photos, audiovisual content and oral history extracts to find out more.
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