Artifact 3: Cloths and Textiles

Pictures:

Textiles and Cloths

These textiles and cloths were used to weaved into clothes. Girls at a young age also learnt to create hand made and hand embellished textiles like table cloths, napkins, pillow cases, quilts. Some beautifully crafted textiles were often used occasionally and saved for special occasions. They lasted a long time and have been passed down through families as treasured heirlooms.



The textile industry evolved from being a domestic small-scale industry to a modern, supreme one. In the past, the indians used natural fibres such as cotton to weave these textiles and cloths. Now, most clothing are usually made of a mixture of various types of materials such as polyethylene (PE), nylon and different kinds of fibres and polyester.

The modern clothes were first made using new machines like spinning wheels and handlooms. Then, large-scale production textile mills were located in and around the rivers since they were powered by water wheels. After the steam engine was invented, the dependence on the rivers ceased to a great extent. In the later phases of the 20th century, shuttles that were used in the textile industry were developed and became faster and thus more efficient.

Artifact 2;Bronze Malay Cannon

What is the artifact?

The artifact is a cannon.The name of artifact is Bronze Malay Cannon

What is the function of this artifact?

Other than just a weapon use in war, Malay Cannons were used for decoration, fighting and defense, communication, marking royal occasions, conferring of awards and titles, last but not least, currency and status symbol.

Decoration – Cannons were installed in boats to decorate and to show up the importance of the boat owners. If a vessel did not install any cannon, it was considered not fully decorated or equipped. A small boat will carry 4-6 miniature cannons where a ship will carry at least full size cannon.

Fighting and Defense – As piracy was prevalent in the Malay Archipelago, coastal and water vessels were the major modes of transportation and hence boats were equipped with cannons for fighting and defense. Those which had cannons were perceived to have greater advantage over those which only relied on blow-pipe, arrows, spear and sword. Villagers in small isolated villages lived in constant fear of pirates whose ships were equipped with cannons. The poor villagers once captured, would be taken as slaves and their possession plundered.

Communication – Cannons were fired for signal and warning and usually placed on forts, riverbank or mouth, hill overlooking the sea. Firing the cannon will signal the approach enemies or suspicious vessel. Boats returning to ports sometime do fired cannons as successful voyage.  Among the Malays, cannons were used to mark the beginning and ending of the fasting month, Ramadan.

Marking Royal Occasions – Cannons are part of the royal family ceremonies especially in the Sultanate of Brunei. They were fired on during royal occasions like birth of the price, and princess, royal wedding, circumcision ceremony and coronation of the Sultan.

Conferring of Awards and Titles – On occasions where titles and awards were conferred in some Malay Kingdoms, cannons firing signal the celebration. Recipients of senior titles were also presented gifts of the cannon of various sizes together with the ranked uniform and money reward.

Currency and Status Symbol – Amount the native folks of Borneo, the cannon played a major role in their traditional life. The cannon served as the monetary tender and as a status symbol.

Identify and describe 3 differences to its modern day version.

In modern day,cannons are use as naval warfare in ships in war ships/military ships/battle ships.The cannon are used for defense or offensive purposes in war ships so as to protect the ship from other naval war ship or aerial attack.

Cannons are also used in music such as in classical pieces with a military cannon.This pieces are created by people wearing ear protection from the cannon fire.They able to hear the music though.This helps them create music for military songs.

Cannons are also used in cannon in aircrafts.They are usually automated to shoot(as in angles and position) but are manually used to fire them.This cannon in the aircrafts were first used during the World War II

Artifact 1: Sampan Panjang

The artifact shown in the picture above is the Sampan Panjang, just one model of many different sampans. This small boat, back then, was primarily used by the Malay traders to travel about. This sampan was also used for passenger transport, ferrying passengers. From the 1830s onwards, this boat started to become more popular as a participant in boat races.

Compared to modern-day boats, this boat was much slower, as it requires manual paddling whereas modern-day boats all operate on engines with the ability to go at fast speeds. This boat is also made of wood, but modern boats now are built using metal. Most modern-day boats also now have sails for propulsion in addition to the engine, but this boat does not, hence traveling slower.

Sights and Sounds of Singapore River

As you can see, the bay is wide enough for Big ships to come through, i can therefore infer that it was used as a port for trading. The shophouses along the bay also adds to the fact that it was a port. Now however, it is more of a tourist destination as there are many shopping centers around too.

End Point: Outside Asian Civilization Museum

Formerly the Empress Place Building (named after Queen Victoria), it was completed in 1867, and served at different times as a Court House, immigration department, and government offices.

Today, this immense museum gives you a priceless introduction into the world of Asian civilizations, beliefs, and traditions. And with over 1,600 treasured artifacts, set up along four geographical zones and thematic galleries, enhanced by hosts, “talking” computer guides, interactive video, ambient sound and lighting, for a state-of-the-art touch. There’s also a gallery dedicate to the history and people of the Singapore River, where you can easily gain an in-depth understanding of these early immigrants.

Along the River: Landmark : Cavenagh Bridge

   

Named after Singapore’s last Governor. Constructed in 1868, the bridge proudly wears its original splendour, and is currently open only to foot traffic.

History on Cavenagh Bridge

Panoramic View From the bridge

Along the River: Landmark : Raffles Landing Site

This is where it all began; where Stamford Raffles arrived on 28th January, 1819 with an entourage of 120 Indian assistants and soldiers

Raffles white polymarble statue