This is a picture of coconuts. Coconuts are culturally significant as Indians it is an essential ingredient in many of their dishes such as desserts (e.g coconut candy) and curry. It is regarded as an auspicious fruit, and all religious festivals and rituals, and occasions like weddings begin with the offering of coconut, believed to symbolise Ganesh, the deity who helps ensure successful completion of any work undertaken.
This picture shows a simple henna tattoo. Henna is culturally significant in Indian culture. Henna plays an important role in all the ceremonies and festivals of India, due to the various symbolic meanings of the different designs available symbolise different meanings. As the symbolic meaning of henna is fertility, it has become a popular ornament for soon to be brides. The bride is traditionally not allowed to do housework in her husband’s home until the tattoo fades. The commonly applied flower design represents joy and happiness, and the lotus represents a myriad of virtues—creativity, grace, sensuality, beauty, femininity, and purity. The lotus is also said to represent the awakening of one’s soul. Vines represent longevity, perseverance, and vitality.
This is a picture of a painted sculpture of Nandi. This is culturally significant because it is believed to be the vehicle of the Hindu God Shiva. In Hindu mythology, Nandi is the bearer of truth and righteousness. It was carried in festival processions during the fire-walking ceremony inside the Sri Mariamman temple.
This picture shows spices commonly used in Indian culture. Spices are culturally significant in Indian culture as Indian food is characterised by the generous use of spices. Some commonly used spices in Indian food is cumin, coriander seed (spice on the right), turmeric and dried chili (spice on the left). Cumin and coriander seed are both dry-roasted before being ground. Interestingly, the spices present in Indian food are also present in Malay food.
This is a picture of the garlands sold in Little India. Garlands are significant in Indian culture. The act of presenting garlands mean different things in different situations. One scenario is the choosing of a husband. Once a girl reaches a suitable age for marriage, she will follow the tradition of Swayamvar, where she places a flower garland around the neck of the man she has chosen to be her husband from a group of suitor. In Indian culture, garlands are often hung onto the statues of deities in temples as a form of respect and worship. While any flower can be used for this act, it is believed that each God has His or Her own favourite flower, and presenting this flower will bestow favour more easily. As betel leaves help to aid digestion, betel leaves garlands are presented to the deities after making a food offering.
Reflection for Day 3
This learning journey to Little India has helped us to learn more about Indian culture, that there is more to their fashion than saris, and more to their festivals then Deepavali. We appreciate it because now we understand the meaning behind their practices and art. From our observations of shops selling food of other races’ culture in the Tekka Market, and the similarities between Indian and Malay food also shows that there has been influences from other races, and that both communities are very diverse.
In addition, as students in a SAP school, where most of our schoolmates are Chinese, we are not regularly exposed to cultures of other races like Malay and Indian culture. This may have led to us forgetting about or being less sensitive of other races's culture. Overall, these 3 days have allowed us to remember that our schoolmates are not the only people in society, and beyond school, there are many people of other races in Singapore too, so we should be more aware of other race's culture to protect and develop racial harmony in Singapore.
