Eurasian Singaporeans

Eurasians in Singapore

Regions with significant populations
Singapore
Languages
Mainly English Also: Kristang, Chinese languages, Malay, Tamil and other Indian languages
Religion
Mainly Christianity Also: Sunni Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, and no religion
Related ethnic groups
British people, Portuguese people, Kristang people, Macanese people, Dutch people

The community of Eurasians in Singapore is descended from Europeans who intermarried with local Asians. Their ancestry can be traced to emigrants of countries that span the length and breadth of Europe, although Eurasian migrants to Singapore in the 19th century came largely from other colonies in Asia, such as British Malaya in particular Malacca and Penang; Chittagong and Goa in India; the Dutch East Indies and French Indochina. They form a distinct group from more recent immigrants and expatriates of European descent.

The family names in the community come from Armenian (the Galistan, the Dragon and the Avakian families), British (the Batchelor, the Branson, the Caine, the College, the Edwards, the Goodenough, the Hogan, the Philips, the Reeves, the Hale and the Smith families), Danish (the Lange, the Olsen, the Rasmussen and the Jensen families), Dutch (the Marbeck, the Ess (formerly, "van Es"), the Hoeden (or "van Hoeden"), the Van Cuylenberg, the De Bakker, the Westenra, the Ten Haken, the Feenstra, the Gronloh and the Vanderstraaten families), French (the Longue, the Poulier and the Cherbonnier families), German (the Hochstadt, the Oehlers, the Keller, the Kaiser and the Roelcke families), Italian (the Marini, the De Luca, the Esposito, the Angelucci and the Scarpa families), Portuguese (the Aeria, the Coelho, the Carvalho, the Conceicao, the de Almeida, the de Rosa, the de Silva, the de Souza (or d'Souza), the de Cruz (or D'Cruz), the de Cotta, the Nonis (or "Nunis"), the Gomez (or "Gomes"), the Lazaroo, the Monteiro, the Oliveiro, the Palmer, the Pereira, the Pestana, the Rodrigues and the Theseira families), Spanish (the Castellano, the Fernandez, the Lopez, the Zuniga, the Ferdinands and the Hernandez families) and Swedish (the Holmberg, the Johansson and the Lindblom families) backgrounds.

European ancestry

Of Portuguese and Lusitanian Descent

The first Europeans to land and seize territory in Asia were the Portuguese, followed by the Spanish who claimed the Philippines. The Portuguese explorers and conquerors were accompanied by the first Jesuit priests to South-east Asia via Goa in India. Governor of Goa Afonso de Albuquerque conquered Malacca (today just a few hours' drive from Singapore) in 1511 while Jesuit Francis Xavier arrived in Malacca in 1545. Descendants of Portuguese colonialists who lived in Malacca and are of mixed Portuguese and largely Malay, but also Indian or Chinese descent, are collectively known as the Gente Kristang. This group is characterised by having its own distinctive Portuguese creole, the Kristang language, although it is now only spoken by a few, older members of the community. Many are descended from individuals who lived in Malacca or other parts of Malaysia. Others have ancestors who lived in Java or other parts of Indonesia as a result of being expelled from Malacca after the Portuguese were forcibly ejected from Malacca by the Johore-Dutch alliance in 1641. A few Macanese people of Chinese-Portuguese ancestry from Macau are also living in Singapore.

Of Dutch Descent

In 1602, a Dutch trading company called the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie or VOC (literally "United East Indies Company" but better known in English as the Dutch East India Company) was created to conduct trade in the area east of the Cape of Good Hope and west of the Straits of Magellan. In establishing their numerous trade stations spanning across Asia, the Dutch created independent settler societies in each of their colonies, where Batavia (now Jakarta, Indonesia) became the administrative centre and rendezvous point for the company's Asian shipping traffic.

Between 1602 and 1795, the VOC fitted out some 4,700 ships which carried almost a million Europeans to the Far East. Almost 70 percent of the one million of the passengers never actually returned to Europe, making Asia their new home. These early seafarers were not only made up of Dutch, but also included British, Germans, French Huguenots, Italians, Scandinavians and other Europeans who were employed by the VOC. In time, many were assimilated into Dutch colonies situated throughout Asia (though primarily in modern Indonesia) where they were stationed and became part of the respective communities.

Intermarriages between VOC employees and locals were encouraged, which lead to the creation of communities of Dutch descendants. Today, there are only four surviving coherent and large communities who are descended from those early intermarriages. They are the Coloureds from South Africa, Dutch Burghers from Ceylon (modern Sri Lanka), Dutch Indos from Indonesia, Anglo-Burmese and Dutch Eurasians from Malacca, Malaysia. The Dutch Eurasians of Malacca are of Dutch and largely Malay but also Indian or Chinese descent. The Dutch transferred Malacca to the British in 1825 in exchange for territory in Sumatra. The British sought to depopulate Malacca and as a result many Eurasians and other people moved north to thriving Penang (where other Eurasians fleeing Phuket or moving from Kedah also settled) and later south to Singapore as it grew in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Dutch descendants in Malaysia and Singapore are primarily made up of Dutch Eurasians originating from Malacca, Ceylon Dutch Burghers originating from Sri Lanka, as well as early Dutch settlers originating from Indonesia and India.

Of British and Irish Descent

The British were the most important Europeans in colonial Singapore, as they were the colonizers and settlers in the island. A great number of British settlers after it became a British political territory in 1867. A number of British took Asian partners and their offspring would be Eurasian. Some who had British nationality preferred to settle in Britain or other parts of the Commonwealth. Singapore's second President, Benjamin Sheares, was a Eurasian of English lineage. His daughter Constance is an art historian. Cheryl Fox is a news presenter for Singapore-based regional television news station Channel NewsAsia.

Of Other European, American and Australian Descent

Other Eurasians in Singapore have parents or are descended from individuals who originated from Europe, the Americas, Australia or New Zealand.

Asian ancestry

Of Chinese and East Asian Descent

Model Sarah Tan is of mixed ancestry. Her surname 'Tan' is a very common Chinese surname in Singapore and Malaysia. It should not be pronounced like "sun tan". Instead it should be pronounced "tahn" or "tarn". The Chinese character is pronounced as 'Chen' in Mandarin. Dubai radio host Simone Heng's father was from Singapore. Simone Heng grew up in Australia, a popular migration destination for Singaporeans of all races. 'Heng' is a less common Chinese surname. Ethnobotanist James Wong is the son of a Chinese Malaysian. He was raised in both Singapore and Malaysia. 'Wong' is a very common Chinese surname worldwide. Patrick Andrew Fok is a news presenter for Singapore-based regional television news station Channel NewsAsia.

Of Japanese, Korean, Filipino, and Thai Descent

Other Eurasians in Singapore have parents or are descended from individuals who originated from Japan, South Korea, Philippines, and Thailand.

Culture and traditions

Language

Shepherd's pie, a common Eurasian dish.

English is generally spoken as a first language by Eurasians, whilst amongst the elder generation who are of Portuguese or Portuguese-speaking descent, the Portuguese creole known as Cristão or Papia Kristang – the Kristang language – is still spoken by some people. A number of Eurasians speak Asian languages like Malay, Chinese or Tamil as their second languages.

Religion and Education

The Eurasian community in Singapore is overwhelmingly Christian, most being Roman Catholics of distant Portuguese descent who celebrate Christian feast days such as Christmas, Easter and Corpus Christi. Many have been educated in Catholic mission schools like St Joseph's Institution. Protestant Eurasians in Singapore include Anglicans (Episcopals), Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans and Evangelicals. Many have been educated in Anglican and Methodist mission schools like St Andrew's School, Anglo-Chinese School and Methodist Girls School.

Cuisine

Foods commonly associated with Eurasian culinary traditions include devil's curry (curry debal in Kristang), curry feng, Eurasian smore (a beef stew), mulligatawny soup (mulligatani in Kristang), shepherd's pie and vindaloo (vin d'arlo in Kristang). Sugee cake made with semolina is also associated with the Eurasians, but also with the Peranakan Chinese.

Prominence in the media, entertainment and fashion industries

Eurasians are prominent in the media, entertainment and fashion industry. Eurasian models are sometimes called 'Pan-Asians' for their mixed appearance but this term is a misnomer. 'Pan-Asian' in this context does not mean 'across Asia' but is synonymous with 'Eurasian'. A common belief amongst those in the advertising industry in Singapore and Malaysia is that Eurasian models who appear in advertisements can represent different ethnicities both European and Asian and so there would be no need to create two separate sets of advertisements one targeting consumers of European origin and another targeting consumers of Asian origin. Eurasian actors who appear in television series and movies can also represent roles of different ethnicities both European and Asian.

Popular places for Eurasians

Soon after the founding of Singapore by Stamford Raffles in 1819, people from other trading centres in Asia including Eurasians came to Singapore. Wealthy Eurasians set up home along Waterloo Street and Queen Street, not far from today's Singapore Management University. The types of houses that they lived in included shophouses, two-storey houses, terrace houses and bungalows. These were typically owned by well-to-do merchants and traders. The houses on Queen Street also consisted of shophouses that were occupied by non-Eurasian coolies. The living conditions in these shophouses were poor but at least the coolies could live close to where they worked. These houses on Queen Street were owned by the more well-to-do Eurasians. A number of buildings and churches of the period in the vicinity still stand today. Today, few Eurasians can be found residing on Waterloo Street and Queen Street. Eurasians can be found spread thinly across the island in both private and public housing. Although Katong on Singapore's east side is commonly considered Singapore's main Eurasian enclave because of some history, modern Eurasian literature and the present location of the Eurasian Association, it is more of a Peranakan Chinese enclave. The Singapore Recreation Club facing the Padang, Singapore near City Hall, founded by several Eurasian men, is considered to a social and sports club that is popular amongst the Eurasians in Singapore.

Prominent Eurasians in Singapore

• Edmund W. Barker, former People's Action Party cabinet minister, Parliament of Singapore
• Leslie Charteris, creator and author of novels and teleplays based on Simon Templar aka The Saint
• Cheryl Marie Cordeiro, Miss Singapore Universe 1999
• Jean Danker, radio personality
• Barry Desker, Dean of the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies and former Ambassador to Indonesia
• Denise Keller, model and MTV Asia host
• John Klass, musician
• Vernetta Lopez, TV actress and radio personality
• Jeremy Monteiro, jazz musician and radio personality
• Eunice Olsen, Nominated Member of Parliament, Parliament of Singapore
• Benjamin Henry Sheares, former President of Singapore
• Rex Shelley, author
• Sarah Tan, model and Channel V International VJ

Further reading

General works

• Kraal, Diane (ed.) (2005). Gateway to Eurasian Culture. Singapore: Asiapac. ISBN 9812293566 (pbk.). {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help); Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
• Braga-Blake, Myrna (ed.) (1992). Singapore Eurasians : Memories and Hopes. Singapore: Times Editions for the Eurasian Association, Singapore. ISBN 9812043675. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
• De Witt, Dennis (2007). History of the Dutch in Malaysia. Malaysia: Nutmeg Publishing. ISBN 9789834351908.
• Kraal, David (2005). The Devil in Me : Tasty Tidbits on Love and Life : Confessions of a Singapore Eurasian. Singapore: Angsana Books. ISBN 9813056789.
• Scully, Valerie (2004). Eurasian Heritage Dictionary : Kristang-English/English-Kristang. Singapore: SNP International. ISBN 9812480528 (pbk.). {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
• Tessensohn, Denyse (2001). Elvis Lived in Katong : Personal Singapore Eurasiana. Singapore: Dagmar Books. ISBN 9810443161. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
• Tessensohn, Denyse (2003). Elvis Still Lives in Katong. Singapore: Dagmar Books. ISBN 9810499280 (pbk.). {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

Family histories

• Scully-Shepherdson, Martha (2006). Looking Back : A Family's History Discovered and Remembered. Singapore: Martha Scully-Shepherdson. ISBN 9810562713.
• Shepherdson, Kevin Linus (2003). Journey to the Straits : The Shepherdson Story. Singapore: The Shepherdson Family. ISBN 9810499264 (pbk.). {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

Fiction

• Lazaroo, Simone (1994). The World Waiting to Be Made. South Fremantle: Fremantle Arts Centre Press. ISBN 1863680896 (pbk.). {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
• Lazaroo, Simone (2000). The Australian Fiancé. Sydney: Pan Macmillan Australia. ISBN 0330362003 (pbk.). {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
• Lazaroo, Simone (2006). The Travel Writer. Sydney: Pan Macmillan Australia. ISBN 9780330422567 (pbk.). {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
• Shelley, Rex (1993). People of the Pear Tree. Singapore: Times Books International. ISBN 9812044493 (pbk.). {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
• Shelley, Rex (1991). The Shrimp People. Singapore: Times Books International. ISBN 981204292X (pbk.). {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)

See also

• Eurasian (mixed ancestry)
• Indo (Eurasian)
• Kristang language

External links

General

• The Eurasian Association, Singapore
• Joshua Project link for Eurasians in Singapore
• Malaysian Dutch Descendants Project
• The Original Eurasians by Simone Heng
• Asia Sentinel article on Pan-Asian models in Singapore and Malaysia
• Portuguese-influenced dance by the Eurasian Association in Singapore
• Portuguese-influenced Eurasian wedding dance in Singapore
• Chingay Parade rehearsal Eurasian Association contingent in Portuguese-influenced costume
• Clip of Eurasian Daniel Le playing minor role on Singapore television Channel 5 and Suria.
• Three Eurasian brothers seek to give up Singapore citizenship

Family histories

• The Shepherdson family
• The Theseira family