This group of dancers are expressing their country's culture.
Culture
Singapore
The culture of Singapore has many elements from many countries. Because of its history of being a center a trade and being colonized, many cultures have left their mark on Singapore. Singapore, because of its variety, is very open and accepting to religions and cultures around the world. A high concept of Singapore’s culture is that of Meritocracy. This belief states that the smartest and well-rounded citizens will be encouraged by the country to achieve their full potential, regardless of race or ethnicity. This concept showcases the lack of restriction on the individual freedoms. Also, Singapore is located near countries that are not developed and therefore receive immigrants who also bring that country’s culture. The belief of freedom and acceptance or so important to the Singaporean culture, that the stars on their flag represent democracy, peace, justice, progress and equality. They even have a national holiday on July 21st, called Racial Harmony Day. Many aspects of Singapore’s culture can be traced back to China, Malaysia, and England. These countries either colonized Singapore (England), or traded with Singapore (China, Malaysia, other Southeast Asia countries). Because the influencing countries are so spread out and different, the Singaporean culture represents a little of each. Many festivals held in Singapore have ties to the Hindu, Buddhist, or Christian religions. Such festivals include Chinese New Year, Buddhist Vesak Day, Muslim Eid-il-fitr, Hindu Dwali, and Christmas. Like festivals, cuisine has been influenced by each culture. A recipe that originally called for Chinese ingredients might be changed in favor of Malay ingredients. Being and MDC, Singapore is exposed to more popular culture than most of its neighbors. Western culture has contributed to the rise of performing arts in Singapore. The most important aspect of this culture is its pride. Singapore has been a bargaining chip for centuries until winning its independence in the 1960’s. The government holds a National Day Parade on August 9th to celebrate their independence. This pride is also seen in everyday life. Face, a crucial component of your reputation is very important to the Singaporean. One, who has face, is respectable and worthy. This leads to people striving for harmonious relationships, because they want to save face. The Elderly are always treated with the utmost respect and courtesy. Elders are given many choices and are put first.
Etiquette The Culture of Singapore also sets a high value on groups and harmony rather than individuality. They are generally put on a pedestal. Singapore mainly consists of Chinese, Malay, and Indian traditions. Often the people of Singapore don’t make a direct point. For instance, instead of saying no they would say I will try. Introduction is always done in the order of age or status. People of the same gender usually shake hands but if of the opposite gender usually a nod is fine. For the Chinese of Singapore you should not give gifts of sharp objects and always wrap gifts in happy colors like pink and red. They do not use colors like blue or black because those colors represent mourning. Flowers are not a good gift to give because they are usually given when a person dies. For the people of the Malays you never give alcohol or anything made of pigskin. Gifts should be given from the right hand or both if it is heavy. Gifts are also given while leaving not when you arrive. For the Indians of Singapore gifts of money should be given in odd numbers. Also offer gifts with the right hand and wrap gifts in yellow and red rather than white or black. Some traditions the older people in Singapore still follow are not pointing with your toe or finger because it is seen as rude. It is also polite to address older people as uncle or aunty even if you don’t know them. Some people in Singapore go barefoot in their homes and ask people who come in to also take of their shoes. |
The Philippines The culture of the Philippines is quite similar to that of Singapore. The Filipino culture is very diverse, not because of its citizens, but because of its history. The first to settle in the Philippines were the Melanesians, who had a very traditional way of life. Afterwards, the Austronesians came. This is where most of the Filipino culture comes from in the form of language and ethnicity. These Austronesians traded with people from China, India, and Japan, with each leaving a distinct mark on their culture. Onward into the eighteenth and nineteenth century, the Philippines traded hands. After the Spanish-American War, the Spanish lost control of the Philippines to the U.S. The Spanish added the festive side of their culture in the form of dance and religion. The U.S. primarily influenced the Philippines by spreading the English language to them. The religion has changed throughout the Philippines also, with Islam being the main religion until Spain introduced Christianity. This leads to the Philippines celebrating holidays of different religions, such as Chinese New Year and Christmas. The Philippines have an Independence Day on the 12th of June. The culture is influenced by nearby Asian countries, and its history as a Western nation territory. Because of its current state as an LDC, Filipino life is very simple. The types of housing and recreational activities depend on the available resources. A toy made primarily by the Filipinos was a beetle on a string that made a funny noise when spun in the air. Separate from the basic needs of life, they hold art, music, and dance very dear. The Philippines are known for their magnificent pottery, fabrics, metalworking, and woodcarvings. Music and dance started out with a very large Asian influence. Once Western cultures were brought to them, music and danced changed to fit the new culture. Food is much like Singaporean food, in the sense that it has many combinations of flavor. It has a mix of Asian and Western food. Each province in the Philippines has its own unique taste, creating very different and interesting dishes. Because of Western influence, food chains are a common sight in the Philippines’ cities. The workings of the government and education in the Philippines are very different than that of Singapore. The social class system depends on money, beauty, and ethnicity. Those with connections to high-class people do better than those that do not.
Etiquette The Philippines’ culture is very interesting. In their culture people get strength from family members and children often have several sets of godparents. It is also common to find family members working in the same industry or similar job. This information shows the people in the Philippines have a strong connection to family and friends. Hiya is a concept of shame that motivates good behavior. If Filipinos fail they bring shame on themselves and their family. When meeting someone you always greet the oldest person first with a handshake. When invited over to a Filipino home you must bring gifts like flowers or food. If you bring flowers avoid white lilies and chrysanthemums. Men usually wear business suits for important meetings while women wear a blouse or a dress. The Philippines are known for their long Christmas season which consists of September, October, November, and December. The season does not end until the feast of the Epiphany around January sixth. The people of the Philippines use something called a Parol which is a lantern in the shape of a star. The Parols are lit with candles or sometimes light bulbs. The Filipinos also have a series of nine masses on December sixteenth which is the tradition of Simbang Gabi or Night Worship. |
Language
SingaporeThe official languages of Singapore are Mandarin, English, Tamil, and Malay. English and Mandarin however are the most spoken. English belongs to the Indo-European language tree while Mandarin belongs to Sino-Tibetan. I think the languages in Singapore are a divisive factor. There are four different languages which probably has separated Singapore into different regions based on what language you speak. I don’t see how regular people especially young people could learn 4 languages and live together.
This is the Sino-Tibetan language tree which Mandarin is a part of.
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The PhilippinesThere are two official languages in the Philippines, Filipino and English. English belongs to the Indo-European family tree while Filipino belongs to the Austroneasian family tree. Other than some people who can only speak Filipino, the languages are a unifying factor. The Philippines use English in their government and other official things. They have also integrated both languages into people’s everyday lives.
This is the Austroneasian family tree which Filipino belongs to.
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This is the Indo-European language tree which English originated from.
Religion
Singapore Singapore is a worldwide trade organization thus resulting in a variety of religious exposure. Religion in Singapore is very divisive because there are several major religions.
This is a divisive factor because all of these religions have separate communities and keep to themselves. However there is religious tolerance and all the religions have good relationships with one another, but they know they are separate. Each religion reached Singapore through different means. Buddhism spread to Singapore through missionaries sent by nearby countries such as China and Taiwan. Islam reached Singapore by the Malays that move back and forth. The nation of Malaysia is traditionally Islamic and when they moved to Singapore, they brought their religion with them. Through missionaries, Christianity also spread to Singapore (Wikipedia). As a long-standing center of trade of commerce, Singapore has been exposed to numerous religions due to globalization. Buddhism, mainly a Chinese religion, focuses on escaping suffering through mediation and analysis of the world around you. It start. The teachings of the other two are based on the teachings of prophets. Christianity was born out of the teachings and writings of Jesus. The religion came out of Palenstine and spread through missionaries and colonization. The basis of Christianity relies on faith and the scriptures of the Bible. Islam is built upon the teachings of Muhammad, a prophet sent by Allah, to spread the religion. The main fundamental of Islam is the surrender to Allah as the creator of everything. |
The Philippines Contrary to Singapore, religion in the Philippines is a unifying factor. Contrary to Singapore, religion in the
Philippines is a unifying factor.
Christianity and Islam have very ancient roots, which have been adopted by the Filipinos. The people of the Philippines have not always practiced Christianity and Islam. Before exposure to Western values, the indigenous people practiced animism, where natural entities have a cultural value. Christianity was brought to the Philippines by Spanish explorer, Ferdinand Magellan. Other people were converted through the work of missionaries sent by the U.S., Spain, and nearby Christian states (Wikipedia). The Filipinos even started a new branch of Christianity. Iglesia ni Christo, meaning the Church of Christ, is type of Christianity that is based on worship and mission work. Islam spread to the Philippines by traders and conquests of Islamic armies in the Middle Ages (Wikipedia).There is also religious tolerance in this country. Most of the people are Catholics but everyone is fine with other religions being there with them. |
Ethnicity
SingaporeSingapore doesn’t have small ethnic groups like the Philippines. In Singapore the main groups are Chinese at 74.2% and Malay at 13.3%. The Chinese ethnicity originally came from China and diffused by migration and communication to other locations including Singapore. Malay is considered one of the Austronesian groups. Originally several African tribes migrated out of Africa and settled in the various Malaysian islands that are there now. Back then the group would survive only by hunting and fishing.
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The Philippines Dialects and provinces group the Philippines’ ethnicities. The biggest ethnicity is
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