Kampong Spirit - Gotong Royong: Life in Potong Pasir, 1955 to 1965
A memoir and social history of Potong Pasir from 1955 to 1965, telling the story of kampong life and communal memory.
Work Information
A memoir tracing kampong life and shared memory.
Josephine Chia’s nonfiction work warmly portrays life in a Potong Pasir kampong through family stories and neighborly memory.
Book Information
- Publisher
- Marshall Cavendish International
- Published
- 2013-06-07
- Pages
- 232 pages
- Language
- 英語
- Size
- 13.8 x 1.5 x 19.9 cm
- ISBN-13
- 9789814398602
- ISBN-10
- 9814398608
- Price
- 1682 JPY
- Category
- 洋書/History/Historical Study & Educational Resources/Social History
The most significant aspect of living in a kampong was its kampong spirit - or gotong royong. Though deprived of modern comforts like electricity or running water, multi-racial neighbours lived harmoniously with each other in their attap villages, had a wonderful zest for life and a strong sense of community. Kampong Spirit brings to life the colourful characters of the villagers with whom the Peranakan author, Josephine Chia, grew up at a kampong in Potong Pasir. The period 1955 to 1965 was also a dramatic era for Singapore. As the country struggled towards nationhood, the social and political events of this time and their effects are seen through the eyes of the common folk. This collection of delightful, real life short stories will take you through Singapore's history and heritage at a human level. For some, it will be a journey of discovery and for others it will be a time of reminiscing for those nostalgic years.
Josephine Chia is the winner of NAC's Arts Creation Fund 2011 which supported the writing and publication of this book. She is a Peranakan author who has won several UK Literary Awards and Prizes. Josephine writes both fiction and non-fiction and is internationally published in both.
Reviews
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A book that could easily have been a sad tale of hardship and deprivation but which I found to be a celebration of the true nature of humanity. Ms. Chia could easily have fallen into the trap of showing how hard life was in 'the old days' but what comes through in her writing is that the spirit of 'togetherness' (if there is such a word!) and community made for a happy and often contented life in spite of the surroundings and physical hardships. One gets a sense of the joy and pleasure in small things and above all the feeling of being in a considerate community where everyone counts. Totally at odds with today's culture where one must have the latest smart phone which will be regarded as junk and discarded when the next model comes out. Where dollars are valued more than true friendship. Certainly a book that should be read by the Singaporean youth of today, not as a quaint bit of history but to give them a better understanding of what it means to be a human being. It is to be hoped that they will also realise that it was this "Kampong Spirit' in all Singaporeans at that time that built the Singapore of today. Michael Over
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Brings back memories of the 1950s and 1960s. How Singapore has changed since then. Great to live in a Kampong.
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Although not a sequel to "Frog under a Coconut Shell", "Kampong Spirit" is also a fascinating and vivid account if Kampong (village) life in Singapore in the 50's. It revived memories especially for anyone with experience of life in the "Far East. and for those without, it painted a colourful picture, of the times This well written story brings to life an accurate and emotional account of growing up in the poverty of colonial times. For someone whose mother tongue is not English, Josephine Chia has achieved remarkable success especially in having her work published. The book is a very good read.
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Interesting topic, terribly written - she writes as if her word is the word of god, as if she is somehow soooo important that Singapore revolves around her. Sad as I am passionate about this subject, but the author wastes words like supermarkets waste food ... don't bother with this book, you will probably be disappointed for sure
Related Literary Awards
- Singapore Literature Prize Edition 14 (2014) ・Co-winner