The Malay Heritage Centre (MHC) will shine a spotlight on the lesser-known Banjar community in its special exhibition, Urang Banjar: Heritage and Culture of the Banjar in Singapore, and here are what families can look forward to!
Where: On-site at the Malay Heritage Centre and Online
When: 28 Nov 2020 - 25 Jul 2021
The Malay Heritage Centre's latest special exhibition Urang Banjar: Heritage and Culture of the Banjar in Singapore, looks at Singapore's smallest sub-ethnic Malay community. Featuring over 100 exhibits that trace the migration history of the Banjar community into Singapore, and highlights the contributions of the Banjar in the fields of entrepreneurship, Islamic scholarship and language.
The exhibition complements MHC’s annual Malay CultureFest and the Children's Season 2020, with with a myriad of more than 20 on-site and online programmes for all ages, including the ones we highlight below for the kids!
*edited 15 Jan 2021 with new activities
My Babak's Studio
Date: Ongoing
Admission: Free
On-site (Suitable for 3 years old and above)
What is a work day like for a jewellery designer and trader? Find out more by exploring this studio inspired by the actual childhood memories of two sisters whose father is a Banjarese diamond trader and jeweller.
Purchase a mini briefcase filled with everything you need for a complete little diamond designer experience. Let's head to work now!
Let's Sparkle! Kaleidoscope Craft Kit
On-site (Suitable for 4 years old and above)
Diamond craftsmen would use a microscope to examine fine details as they work on the diamond. Look through their diamond lenses by creating your very own kaleidoscope!
Bring home a craft kit by donating to support the Malay Heritage Centre. Your support will allow us to pass on our shared heritage and knowledge for the future generations to come.
Kit is available on-site at the Malay Heritage Centre’s Visitor Services Centre. Instruction sheet is available in English and Malay.
Dramatised storytelling: Tales from the Nusantara: Lok Si Naga
YouTube (Suitable for 4 years old and above)
Once upon a time in South Kalimantan, there lived a married couple who had a good and filial son. One day, the husband went to the river to fish, but instead of fish, he caught a large white egg. This was not any ordinary egg. What would happen if the family ate this extraordinary egg?
Find out what happens next in this exciting story of Lok Si Naga as Nek Selampit takes you on this magical journey.
*This video is narrated in Malay with English subtitles.
My First Wayang Kulit Show (Online Game)
Online (Suitable for 4 years old and above)
Explore the wonders of wayang kulit together with Laila in this interactive online game! Get a chance to learn what goes on behind the screen in a show, be a little dalang (puppeteer) and put up your first Ramayana performance.
Tales from the Nusantara: Putri Junjung Buih
YouTube (Suitable for 4 years old and above)
A long time ago, there was the Amuntai kingdom in South Kalimantan. The first king, Raja Patmaraga, longed to have a child of his own. After praying endlessly to the Almighty God, he miraculously found a baby held afloat by foams in a river. To his surprise, the baby was able to speak and requested several things from the king. What were the baby's requests? Could the king grant them?
Find out if they lived happily ever after and stay on to take part in a simple weaving activity at the end of the video.
A Voyage to South Kalimantan (Activity Trail Booklet)
Date: Ongoing
On-site (For ages 9 years and above)
Embark on a voyage to South Kalimantan, Indonesia to trace the heritage and culture of the Banjar community through this interactive activity trail booklet designed to complement your exhibition experience.
Read a Banjar folktale, learn Banjar idioms, greetings and hunt for interesting artefacts featured in the booklet. You can also compete with your family and friends to see who will get out of the diamond mining field first with the board game included in the sheet. Don't forget to fill in the reflection postcard and pass it to the visitor services counter to redeem a small gift!