Intangible Cultural Heritage

Chinese Calligraphy

Calligraphers featured at Black Earth Art Gallery

Chinese calligraphy, or shufa (书法) — translated literally as “method of writing” — is a means of writing Chinese characters in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

Sepak takraw is a sport native to Southeast Asia, involving a rattan ball being kicked over a net. The term sepak means ‘to kick’ in Malay while takraw is said to be derived from a Thai word for the rattan ball. The sport is played by two opposing teams, where players volley a rattan ball over a net, ensuring that it does not touch the floor. Each team is called a regu and comprises of three players.

Vesakhi

Vesakhi (also known as Vaisakhi or Baisakhi) is celebrated on either on the 13th or 14th of April every year in the Gregorian calendar. It is celebrated as a harvest festival traditionally in India. The day has an added dimension for the Sikh community as it commemorates a key event in the establishment of their religion and identity — the formation of the Khalsa, an order of baptised Sikhs.

Vesak Day

Vesak Day (Wesak Day), is an annual religious festival celebrated by the major Buddhist denominations in Singapore.

Deepavali

Known as the “festival of lights”, the myths and origins of Deepavali differ among North and South Indians but celebrate a common theme of good over evil or light over darkness.

Hari Raya Puasa

Hari Raya Puasa, also known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri or day of Eid-Al-Fitr, is a major festival marking the end of Ramadan and celebrated by Muslims all over the world, including in Singapore.

Chinese New Year

One of the most important festivals for Chinese communities, Chinese New Year encompasses a vibrant and diverse range of practices and traditions. Chinese New Year is based on the Chinese lunar calendar and falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice. The celebrations last for 15 days, and reinforce cultural values such as family harmony, social relations and securing good fortune for the coming year. It is time for visiting family and friends, with the ritual exchange of traditional gifts of money and symbolic foods. There are different myths surrounding the origins of the festival, one being an ancient sacrificial rite called la ji (腊祭) held to give thanks to the gods and pray for more plentiful harvests ahead, and another being the legend of nian (年), a mythical beast that was driven away by loud noises and bright red colours that is characteristic of the festival.

Wushu

Wushu (武术), also known as Chinese martial arts, originated in China. There are two different types of wushu: taolu (套路, choreographed movements) and sanda (散打, sparring, in the form of punches and kicks). Taolu may be further divided into “traditional” and “contemporary” categories. The former includes fist and weapon routines while the latter routines may either be fixed or choreographed.

Zhong Yuan Jie Hungry Ghost Festival

Zhong Yuan Jie (中元节) takes place on the seventh month of the Lunar calendar. It is mostly observed by Chinese Buddhists and Taoists who believe that during this time, colloquially known as “seventh month” or 七月 (“seventh month” in Chinese), the gates of Hell are opened, releasing spirits who roam the earth.

Theemithi

Theemithi is Hindu festival, stretching over approximately three months, beginning in the Tamil month of Aadi (around July or August). It comprises a series of rituals and ceremonies, and ends with the fire-walking ceremony in October.