The
Baweanese are a significant community among the Malays of Singapore. They
were originally from Pulau Bawean (Bawean Island) in East Java and migrated to
Singapore in the early 19th century. In the early days, many of them found jobs
as drivers and horse-trainers. They lived in communal houses called pondoks. Today, many
Baweanese still have ties with their relatives in Pulau Bawean though the
younger ones have yet to step foot on the island of their ancestors.
Origins of the Baweanese
The Baweanese were originally from Bawean Island, 120 km north of Surabaya which is the capital of East Java. Merantau (migration) is an important trait of the Baweanese culture, a tradition in which men leave their home to earn money and then return to their homeland. Due to this, the Bawean Island is sometimes called "Pulau Putri" (island of women) to denote its predominance of women.
Origins of the Baweanese
The Baweanese were originally from Bawean Island, 120 km north of Surabaya which is the capital of East Java. Merantau (migration) is an important trait of the Baweanese culture, a tradition in which men leave their home to earn money and then return to their homeland. Due to this, the Bawean Island is sometimes called "Pulau Putri" (island of women) to denote its predominance of women.
The
word "Boyan" is a misnomer, derived from a corrupt pronunciation
of "Bawean" that was started by European colonials and which has
since remained. The islanders of Bawean call themselves Orang Bawean or
Orang Babian, but in the areas where they migrated to, they refer to themselves
(or are referred to) as Orang Boyan, including in Singapore.
Migration of the Baweanese
The founding of Singapore as a British trading post in 1819 attracted many migrants from the region. The Baweanese came to Singapore a little later and in smaller numbers than other ethnic groups from the Archipelago, like the Bugis and the Javanese. Sea life was highly agreeable to the Baweanese and they have historically been sea traders, sailing their small crafts to Borneo, Celebes, Madura and Java to barter. The Bawean men embody the merantau (migration) culture early in life. In the 1840s, it was already recorded that many young men of 14 went to sea to Samarang, Singapore and other places to search for work and returned after two or three years with their savings. It was told that early Bawean seafarers who had joined forces with the Bugis of the Celebes visited Singapore during the early days of British rule, and upon returning impressed their fellow Baweanese with Singapore's tales of prosperity, hence making the British settlement another destination for adventurous Baweanese.
Migration of the Baweanese
The founding of Singapore as a British trading post in 1819 attracted many migrants from the region. The Baweanese came to Singapore a little later and in smaller numbers than other ethnic groups from the Archipelago, like the Bugis and the Javanese. Sea life was highly agreeable to the Baweanese and they have historically been sea traders, sailing their small crafts to Borneo, Celebes, Madura and Java to barter. The Bawean men embody the merantau (migration) culture early in life. In the 1840s, it was already recorded that many young men of 14 went to sea to Samarang, Singapore and other places to search for work and returned after two or three years with their savings. It was told that early Bawean seafarers who had joined forces with the Bugis of the Celebes visited Singapore during the early days of British rule, and upon returning impressed their fellow Baweanese with Singapore's tales of prosperity, hence making the British settlement another destination for adventurous Baweanese.
There
is no record of the first arrivals of the Baweanese in Singapore. They
were officially recorded in Singapore's Population Census in 1849, but it is
highly probable that they came as early as 1828 as they could have been
included in the category "Bugis, Balinese, etc" in the Census that
year.
Between
1901-1911, there was a tremendous increase of Baweanese population in
Singapore. The reason was the imposition of individual assessment by the
Dutch on their territories around 1900. This meant that on top of land
rent, Dutch subjects had to pay tax based on the persons living on the land. To
avoid this, many Indonesians moved out to other areas, including the Baweanese,
who flocked to Singapore as it was quite near. The migration was eased by the
fact that immigration into Malaya was not restricted.
During the Japanese Occupation, many more Baweanese landed in Singapore to avoid starvation from the famine in Bawean. After WWII, as immigration regulations in Singapore and Malaya tightened, the flow of Baweanese into Singapore dwindled. They found new migration areas in other Indonesian islands like Tanjong Pinang and Riau.
During the Japanese Occupation, many more Baweanese landed in Singapore to avoid starvation from the famine in Bawean. After WWII, as immigration regulations in Singapore and Malaya tightened, the flow of Baweanese into Singapore dwindled. They found new migration areas in other Indonesian islands like Tanjong Pinang and Riau.
At
first, the Baweanese came to Singapore by sailing ships. With the advent
of steamers towards the end of the 19th century, the rate of Baweanese arrivals
intensified. Two shipping companies provided regular services between
Bawean and Singapore. The Dutch Koninklijke Paketvaart Maatschappij (KPM)
and the Heap Eng Moh Shipping Company of Singapore made handsome profits by
ferrying these migrants. The KMP had a direct service from Singapore to Bawean
until it was disrupted by WWII and later the Indonesian revolution. The
vacuum left by KPM was filled by sailing ships of the Madurese and the
Bugis.
Singapore
also attracted the Baweanese through its pilgrimage hub activities. The
steamship age had made Singapore the launching pad for the Hajj journey to
Mecca. Being strict Muslims and emboldened by the Baweanese merantau
trait, the Baweanese rode on the speed of steamers to enter Singapore to
find work so that they could save up and begin their Hajj journey from
Singapore. This was also true of many Javanese. Some never made the
Hajj journey and stayed on permanently. Others who did, stopped in
Singapore on their way back from Mecca to work to pay for their homeward
journey. Many among them pledged their labour to Singapore plantation owners in
return for their debts to the shipmaster.
Economic activity and settlement
When the Baweanese came in the mid-19th century, the European estates were facing labour shortage. The Europeans relied on the Javanese and Baweanese as the other races in Singapore were not inclined to be employed by the Europeans. In 1842, when the Europeans were excited about having a racecourse in Singapore, they employed many Baweanese in the construction. Subsequently, many Baweanese found work as horse trainers at the old Race Course, later the Turf Club. The Baweanese were also largely employed as gharry drivers, having worked and became naturally good with horses back home. Towards the end of 19th century when the age of motorcars swept across Singapore, the Baweanese switched to become drivers of tuans and mems. Another sub-group of the Baweanese, the Daun, was employed by the Port of Singapore Authority which supplied fresh water to ships in the Singapore Harbour. Other jobs which they held include bullock-cart drivers and gardeners.
In the map of Singapore of the 1920s until 1942 when Singapore fell to the Japanese, the area which is presently Kampong Kapor was known to the Malays as Kampong Boyan. Between 1840s and 1950s, many Baweanese who migrated to Singapore settled here. The Baweanese formed a tight-knit community and many lived in pondoks or ponthuks (lodging houses) which were headed by a Pak Lurah (headman).
When the Baweanese came in the mid-19th century, the European estates were facing labour shortage. The Europeans relied on the Javanese and Baweanese as the other races in Singapore were not inclined to be employed by the Europeans. In 1842, when the Europeans were excited about having a racecourse in Singapore, they employed many Baweanese in the construction. Subsequently, many Baweanese found work as horse trainers at the old Race Course, later the Turf Club. The Baweanese were also largely employed as gharry drivers, having worked and became naturally good with horses back home. Towards the end of 19th century when the age of motorcars swept across Singapore, the Baweanese switched to become drivers of tuans and mems. Another sub-group of the Baweanese, the Daun, was employed by the Port of Singapore Authority which supplied fresh water to ships in the Singapore Harbour. Other jobs which they held include bullock-cart drivers and gardeners.
In the map of Singapore of the 1920s until 1942 when Singapore fell to the Japanese, the area which is presently Kampong Kapor was known to the Malays as Kampong Boyan. Between 1840s and 1950s, many Baweanese who migrated to Singapore settled here. The Baweanese formed a tight-knit community and many lived in pondoks or ponthuks (lodging houses) which were headed by a Pak Lurah (headman).
The
Baweanese were also seamen, which required them to be away for many months.
During their absence, the Pak Lurah would take care of the sailors'
belongings and family members. The ponduk (hut) was more than a
communal dwelling space for the Baweanese to come home to. It was a social
institution that took care of newly arrived Baweanese who needed support to
settle in and cope with living in a foreign land. The last Singapore
ponduk was cleared in 2000 and the building it occupied became a historic site.
Modern day Baweanese
Many Baweanese in Singapore are still in contact with their relatives on Bawean Island although most of the younger ones have never set foot there. The Baweanese in Singapore (and Malaysia) are an important source of income and wealth for the native islanders as money and goods are sent back home. The amount was substantial enough for the community to name two rural roads, Mahathir Road and Goh Chok Tong Road. They said the roads were built on the dollars and ringgits sent to them from relatives in Singapore and Malaysia.
The
Baweanese in Singapore have assimilated and intermarried into the Malay
population here and many regarded themselves as Malays. The more prominent
Baweanese Singaporeans are the former director-general of the Trade Development
Board, Mr Ridzwan Dzafir, and Sembawang GRC Member of Parliament, Mr Hawazi
Daipi.Modern day Baweanese
Many Baweanese in Singapore are still in contact with their relatives on Bawean Island although most of the younger ones have never set foot there. The Baweanese in Singapore (and Malaysia) are an important source of income and wealth for the native islanders as money and goods are sent back home. The amount was substantial enough for the community to name two rural roads, Mahathir Road and Goh Chok Tong Road. They said the roads were built on the dollars and ringgits sent to them from relatives in Singapore and Malaysia.
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