About

Embark on a captivating cultural journey of discovery into the enchanting realm of Chinese vernacular shrine culture in Singapore. Vernacular shrines are small, unformalised shrines located next to trees, in hawker centres and bus interchanges, at the road sides, and other public spaces. They may appear humble but hold immense social and cultural significance.

Through interviews, fieldwork data, and striking photographs, this book explores the history, evolution, and a panoply of deities, traditions, peoples, and communities associated with these shrines. Prepare to be mesmerised by the blending of belief systems and multicultural practices, where popular Chinese gods and goddesses sit alongside Hindu deities, Datuk Gong, and Nang Kwak. These shrines not only manifest a pluralistic character but also function as social spaces for forging inter-ethnic and community identities on a micro-societal level. Discover the captivating stories, myths, and rituals that make these shrines an integral part of Singapore’s cultural heritage.

本书将带领各位踏上一段引人入胜的文化之旅,探索新加坡华人神龛文化的迷人之处。本书所关注的神龛是构造较小的非正式神龛,它们分布在树旁、小贩中心、巴士转换站、路边或其他公共空间中。这些神龛或许毫不起眼,但它们承载着重要的社会文化意义。

通过进行访谈、实地调查和照片拍摄,本书探索了本地神龛的历史和演变,以及与这些神龛
相关的神明、传统、族群和社区实践。在这里,您将会看到多元融合的信仰体系和文化实
践。广受欢迎的华人神明和女神通常会与印度教神明、拿督公和南卦等其他宗教传统的神明共同受到供奉。这些神龛呈现出多元化的特征,在微型社会层面上,神龛也是形塑族群认同和社区认同的社会空间。这些引人入胜的故事、神话和仪式使神龛成为新加坡文化遗产的重要组成部分,让我们一同去探索吧!

Collaborators:

Authors:
Francis Lim Khek Gee, Kuah Khun Eng, Lin Chia Tsun