THE LEGENDS AND FOLKTALES : Singapore Folktales

The magical turtle

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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Apart from Sentosa Island, Singapore comprises over 60 other
islands, several of which are accessible by boat. Hop on a southern island
cruise to explore Kusu Island (Kusu means ‘turtle’ in Hokkien dialect), which
remains tied to several legends. In one, a giant turtle saved a group of
sailors from rough waters by turning itself into an island. The sailors
returned the following year with offerings to show their gratitude. Today, the
island houses a Chinese temple and three Malay kramat, or holy shrines of Malay
saints. And how’s this for a little more magic? The island continues to attract
some 100,000 Taoist, Buddhist and Confucian pilgrims annually. These obscure
religious sites across Singapore also have far-reaching roots in history.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">References: Wikipedia</span></div>

The magical turtle

Apart from Sentosa Island, Singapore comprises over 60 other islands, several of which are accessible by boat. Hop on a southern island...

4:27:00 am

Jewels in the Tale

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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is a marvellous and
mischievous production, featuring a very carefully selected collection of Asian
folklore from around the region such as The Crane’s Gratitude from Japan,
Tenali Raman and the Three Thieves from India, and The Four Dragons from China.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Each tale incorporates elements of Japanese Noh, Classical
Indian Dance, Chinese opera blended with western styles of broad slapstick fun
and energy. With energetic physical theatre, masks and puppetry, fun, colour
and music, this is drama that will enthral and entertain both young and old
alike.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">References: Wikipedia</span>

Jewels in the Tale

\ is a marvellous and mischievous production, featuring a very carefully selected collection of Asian folklore from around the regio...

4:05:00 am

Crouching tiger, hidden past

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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We know today that Singapore was never home to lions, but
the Malayan tiger. Still, the (kitschy, if we may) Merlion – with its lion’s
head and body of a fish – remains one of the country’s icons. You’ll find five
official Merlion statues ’round Singapore – two of which are located at the
Merlion Park in One Fullerton. Psst: There’s plenty to see and do in the Marina
Bay area besides Merlion-spotting. More curious about Singapore’s tiger lore?
In 1902, the last tiger in Singapore was shot while cowering under a table in
Raffles Hotel’s Bar & Billiard Room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">References: Wikipedia</span></div>
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Crouching tiger, hidden past

We know today that Singapore was never home to lions, but the Malayan tiger. Still, the (kitschy, if we may) Merlion – with its lion’s...

4:03:00 am

Bukit Merah, the hill that was painted red with blood

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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Hang Nadim was a bright young boy who witnessed his humble
villagers and fishermen being attacked by swordfish (or garfish in some
accounts) and suggested a clever solution to put an end to the terror.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">However, the ruler felt threatened and jealous of the boy
and ordered for him to be executed. Hang Nadim lived on top of a hill and upon
his death, this blood was soaked in by the hill. This tale apparently gave
Bukit Merah, Redhill and Tanjong Pagar their names. (Read the history behind
other district names here!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">References: Wikipedia</span></div>
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Bukit Merah, the hill that was painted red with blood

Hang Nadim was a bright young boy who witnessed his humble villagers and fishermen being attacked by swordfish (or garfish in some acc...

4:01:00 am

A Lion City, birthed

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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">This one’s a favourite among many locals, even if it’s no
longer told: Back in the 1200s, a prince of the Sumatran Srivijaya Empire –
Sang Nila Utama – was hunting on an island close to the then-undiscovered
Singapore. He chased a deer to the top of a cliff and spotted another island
across the sea, which his chief minister said was called Temasek (Singapore’s
traditional name), or ‘Sea Town’ in Old Javanese.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The prince returned to his ship to make the crossing to
Temasek, but a violent storm forced him and his men to discard heavy items into
the sea to stop the ship from sinking. This didn’t seem to help, so the prince
was urged to throw his crown overboard to appease the sea. He relented, and the
storm quickly abated, allowing them to arrive on the shores of Temasek. The
prince soon spotted a wild animal with an orange mane. His minister claimed it
was a lion, or ‘singha’ (the Sanskrit word for lion). Believing it to be a good
omen, the prince decided to stay on the island and named the island
‘Singapura’, or, ‘Lion City’.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">references Wikipedia</span></div>
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A Lion City, birthed

This one’s a favourite among many locals, even if it’s no longer told: Back in the 1200s, a prince of the Sumatran Srivijaya Empire – Sa...

3:56:00 am

THE LEGENDS AND FOLKTALES

About Me

The magical turtle

Jewels in the Tale

Crouching tiger, hidden past

Bukit Merah, the hill that was painted red with blood

A Lion City, birthed

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