The Clan Association

May 16, 2007
Singapore - Day 11

Today the class was introduced to a Cantonese clan association: the Kwong Wai Siew Pek San Theng. Besides performing the typical functions of a clan association, they also manage a columbarium on their lands. It was built after the government's destruction of an old cemetery belonging to the Cantonese community in 1979.
















Group photo with the clan association

Afterwards, I headed back to NUS to meet a fellow political science student from Vancouver. She took me to Vivo City, one of the country's largest shopping malls, where we had lunch and caught up. She told me a little bit about the politics of Singapore. Some interesting points I noted:

• There is no natural development to this city - everything is built to attract business and people
  
• There is no social welfare system in this country
• Singapore has no indigenous culture; almost everything is from somewhere else. Things that are indigenous are suppressed by the government (e.g. Singlish)

I met up with the rest of the students at night for dinner at the Newton Hawker Center, a treat from Professor Teo. The food looked good, but unfortunately, I didn't have much of an appetite because of a cough I contracted while in Guangzhou.

We ended up taking a stroll around Clarke Quay afterward - a famous tourist area filled with restaurants and clubs.



























Posing at Clarke Quay