Reasons behind the similarity in culture between Baweanese and Malays

(Qurban)

It is not surprising that the culture of the Bawean people is similar in many ways with that of the Malays (here I am referring to Malay ethnic group i.e. the Malays in Singapore, Malaysia and Riau Lingga including part of Sumatra). The Baweanese and the Malays originated from the same ancestors (i.e. from the people of mainland Asia) and practiced the same belief (i.e. Islam)! According to history, the evidences that have been uncovered by archaeology clearly showed that in prehistoric times, the Malay Peninsula formed part of a land bridge for successive waves of migrants moving southwards from the Asian mainland towards Indonesia and Australia.

(Two relatives related by marriage met during Eid - One Javanese and the other a Baweanese wearing a Mandarin Collar button-up shirt)

In a history text book, "Jessy: Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei 1400-1965" by Joginder Singh (2nd revised edition 1974, Publisher: Longman Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Kuala Lumpur), it mentioned that the first of these migrants may have been living in the Peninsula for as long as five hundred thousand years B.C. Then a new group of people arrived from the Indo-China in about 8,000 B.C. Their descendants are the Senoi and the Semang aborigines of modern Malaysia. Following that, there were the migrants from the north from Southern China about five thousand years ago, bringing with them an advanced Stone Age culture. They are known as the Proto-Malays (i.e. Melayu asli) and they are the ancestors of the present Malays (Deutero Malays -i.e. the Malays with mixed blood) of Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

(Surah Al-Fateha, the opening of Al-Quran -the sacred book of Islam)

 

Hence, sharing the same ancestors, the Baweanese and the Malays (ethnic group) are the likeness of two cousins sharing the same grandfather! It is the same too for the other ethnic groups in this Nusantara region such as the Achenese, Bataks, Bugis, Minangkabaus, Banjarees, Javanese, Balinese, Ambonese and etc. However among the above ethnic groups, generally the Achenese, Bugis, Minangkabaus and Banjarees are Muslims. [Take note: the Malays (referring to the Malay race) in the Philippines are majority Catholics/Christians - Filipinos too belong to several Asian ethnic groups, grouped within the Malay or Malayo-Polynesian speaking people, who speak Austronesian languages. The concept of Malay race is not the same as in the concept of Malay ethnic group]

 

(During a Baweanese matrimonial ceremony -1980s)
 

(Aqad Nikah)

 

(Bersanding)

Sharing the same religion is another reason for the similarity in culture between the Baweanese and the Malays. For example, 'Aqiqa, Qurban, Eid, Aqad Nikah, Circumcise, Thanks-giving (Doa Selamat), Tahlil, etc… are derived from the Islamic culture. However, the way they are being performed varies.

('Aqiqa)

 

For example, the Baweanese regard 'Aqiqa as necessary even though they knew it is not compulsory in Islam. 'Aqiqa is a ceremony for a new born baby. Usually it is being held grandly to express one's gratitude to Almighty Allah for the gift of life. Often during this ceremony there will be ''Berzanji'' (the reciting of the History of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w). This is to commemorate the struggles and sacrifices made by Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. Generally, the Baweanese people are strong believers of Islam and they want to emulate closely the good act of the Prophet s.a.w. They are very good in "Berzanji" and most of them were blessed with good reciting voice. Most of them are proficient in reciting Al-Quran with perfect "Tajwid". Many among them are "Hafiz" (a term used to describe those who memorise the entirety of the Quran).

 

(Berzanji)

 

However, I was told by my late grandfather that before Islam, the Bawean Islanders practiced Shamanism (a range of traditional beliefs and practices concerned with communication with the spirit world). Then a pious Muslim (believed to be from Middle-East) came to Bawean Island and taught Islam to the Islanders. Gradually, they accepted Islam and finally 100% of the inhabitants became Muslims. As a little girl, I used to hear the Pondok people talking about the Mystical Bawean Island. They said that non-Muslims would not get out of the Island alive once they stepped into it -they would die mysteriously. Air-planes could not fly over the island too- it would crash! Is it true?... I have no comment.

(A typical Baweanese meal)

Likewise the Bugis, Javanese, Minangkabaus and others, the Baweanese and the Malays shared the same culture and traditions with minimal differences -the likeness of the similarity in appearance of two cousins due to sharing the same grandparents but not parents. For example in the art of self-defence, the Bawean people called it “Pokolan” and use the “Parang” while the Malays called it “Pencak Silat” and use the “Keris”. Look at their dishes; the Malays called the red chilli soupy gravy, ‘Asam Pedas’ but the Baweanese called it ‘Kela Tomes’ –the dishes look the same but taste quite different due to the portion of ingredients used.
 

(Notice the Baweanese teenage wearing green Baju Kurong while behind her, is a Baweanese woman wearing the kebaya with sarong batik -photo taken in 1990s)

How about their attire? –the traditional older generation Baweanese women prefer Kebaya with sarong batik rather than the Malay Baju Kurong. Often, the young Bawean ladies wear Baju Kurong thinking that it is the traditional dress. However, this is not true. The traditional costume of the Baweanese ladies is the kebaya with sarong batik and for the Baweanese men is the Mandarin collar button-up shirt (influenced by the Dutch colonialists in Indoneasia) with sarong 'pelikat' or pants –there is no 'kain samping'…. just like any other typical traditional Indonesian attire!

(A Baweanese couple from Ipoh, Perak in traditional attire -1970s)

 

Gradually through the years, the differences in culture between the Baweanese of Singapore and the Malays of Singapore (as well as the Baweanese and Malays of Malaysia) lessen due to intermarriage between the people in these two ethnic groups. This is another reason for the similarity in culture between the Baweanese and the Malays. The same happened to the other ethnic groups living in the Malay community. Today the differences in culture between these ethnic groups are so minimal that some of them in this community identify themselves as Malays, especially to the Chinese, Indians, Eurasians and foreigners. The reason given behind this is that, it saves them the trouble of explaining their true ethnicity backgrounds.

Who are the Baweanese (Boyanese)?

(Two Baweanese sisters -Grand-aunt Hamsi and Grand-aunt Hannah in 1980s)

Few days ago, an undergraduate had asked me about the Bawean race for her research work. She wanted to know the general surface of this race and the reasons to the similarity in culture to that of the Malays. I had replied her and now I like to take the opportunity to write it in this post.

(Location of Bawean Island)

 

As written in my previous post, the Baweanese are not Malays. They are people originated from the Bawean Island situated in the Java Sea. This tiny Island belongs to the Republic of Indonesia and is also widely known as "Pulau Puteri" which literally means ''Island of the Woman'', referring the island belongs to the women. There are more women than men living in the island because most of the men have gone ''Merantau'', leaving their homeland in search of opportunities abroad.

 

(Map of Bawean Island)

Hence, the traditional homeland of Bawean descents from all over the world, wherever they are today -Malaysian Baweanese, Singaporean Baweanese, Australian Baweanese, etc., is Bawean Island. The forefathers of these Baweanese were immigrants in the country they are residing now. On the other hand, the Malays are the indigenous people of the Malay Peninsula and the Riau Lingga Archipelago.
 

(The Nusantara Region)

 

The Malays speak Bahasa Melayu while the Baweanese especially the Bawean islanders converse among themselves in Bawean language. However today, among the Baweanese descents living outside Bawean Island especially in Singapore, this language is "dying". Generally, the descendants of the Bawean people in Singapore do not speak the Bawean language. The older ones are comfortable conversing in Bahasa Melayu while the younger ones are comfortable conversing in English language. This is because Bahasa Melayu is the National language of Singapore while English is the first language taught in schools as well as the language used commonly in the working sector.

 

(During the month of Haj in 1980s -at Changi airport sending off my Mum to Makkah)

In Singapore, the Baweanese live among the Malays in the Malay community due to the similarity in culture and having the same religion. Similarly, the Baweanese in Malaysia are part of the Malay community. Firstly, this is because they are from the same region –the Nusantara Region i.e. South-east Asia. Secondly, they are bound together by a common belief –i.e. Islam. Islam has provided a bond between the Baweanese and the Malays.
 

(A Baweanese family -My family with Obek Adnan and his family in 1980s)

Islam has also bound up the other Muslims from different ethnic groups with the Malays. Hence in Singapore as well as in Malaysia, the Bugis from Celebes (Sulawesi), Achenese from Acheh (Sumatra), Minangkabaus from Padang (Sumatra), Javanese from Java, Banjarees from Banjarmasin, Baweanese from Bawean and the Malays shared a common belief and they live in the one big community that is, the Malay Community!
 

(The Baweanese during Salam Lebaran 2009 organised by PBS)

Am I a Baweanese or Malay?

(The Head of Batam Cultural Department giving the opening speech)

During the last June school holiday, my sister and I visited Batam Island. We stayed there for a week to get away from our busy lives in Singapore. I bought five tickets for my family and friends to attend the "Pesta Kebudayaan dan Masakan Nusantara". It was organised by the Cultural Department of Batam in an effort to forge close ties among the different ethnic groups in the Nusantara region. The Head of the Batam Cultural Department gave the opening speech.

My sister was amazed to hear him speaking fluently in Malay language. She immediately asked me, "Why is this man speaking in Malay like us, with no Indonesian accent. Shouldn’t he be speaking in Bahasa Indonesia?" I replied, "This is because he is a Malay." She asked me again, "How can he be a Malay when he was born and raised in Batam, in Indonesia." I explained to her that the indigenous people of Batam are the Malays. Batam is part of the Riau Lingga Archipelago –the homeland of the Malays.

 

I explained further to my sister that only the Batam Malays speak Bahasa Melayu while those who speak Bahasa Indonesia are obviously from other parts of Indonesia –immigrants mostly from mainland Java. Then she asked me again, "So, what are we? Aren’t we Malays?" I replied, "Look at your NRIC. What does it read?" She answered, "Boyanese." I replied, "Yes, we are Boyanese!" I further told her that both of us are Baweanese (Boyanese) descents because our father was born in Bawean (Boyan) Island and his forefathers were born and raised there.

 

Such confusion is common nowadays. Most Baweanese descents (outside Bawean Island) from the younger generation, especially in Singapore, believe that they are Malays….my sisters, brother, cousins, daughters, son, nephews and nieces … all of them thought that they are Malays. Very sad indeed!

 

(Two Baweanese - same race but different nationality)

PBS Salam Lebaran 2009

Today, 19th October 2009, is 30th Shawal 1430H. This year Shawal is among the several memorable ones I ever celebrated. The Eid celebration captured several joyous occasions. I spend meaningful time with old acquaintances and relatives that I had lost touch for many years. Majority of these countless happy moments happened during "Salam Lebaran 2009" organized by Persatuan Bawean Singapura (Singapore Bawean Association) or PBS in short, on 17th October 2009 at Grassroot's Club in Ang Mo Kio. The President of PBS, Mr Faizal Wahyuni, made the opening speech followed by a speech from the guest of honour, Mr Hawazi Daipi, MP for GRC Sembawang and Senior Minister for the Ministry of Labour, who is also the advisor of PBS.

  (The arrival of Mr Hawazi Daipi )

 

"Salam Lebaran" is PBS yearly event in the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr celebration during the month of Shawal. "Salam Lebaran 2009" was organized with the aim to foster close ties among Singaporean Baweanese simultaneously, preserving the Baweanese heritage and culture through stage performances by Baweanese celebrities such as Aziz Satar, Mahadi Shor, Imran Ishak and Hj Basri Alang. The Baweanese culture of helping out one another was projected in this event through Student Aid awards amounting to S$5,000/- sponsored by Lee Foundation given out to students from Kent Ridge Secondary, Bedok Green Primary and Madrasah Al' Ma'arif.

 

("Pokolan" the Silat Bawean performed by Mr Hj. Basri)

 

(The local Baweanese celebrities in Black)

The objective of this Eid gathering is also to recognize the achievements of several individuals within the Bawean community in Singapore. Every year several title awards are given out to several outstanding Singaporeans of Baweanese descent. This year award for the title Bawean Teladan goes to Hj Salleh Suhaimi; Bawean Budiman - the late Hj. Buang Bin Masadim; Bawean Cermerlang - Hjh Rohanah Bte Pagi and Nur Sarah Aqila bte Jamil; Bawean Jasawan - Hj Ismail (Basri) bin Alang, Ustazah Hjh Mariam bte Rauf and Hj Abdolah bin Lamat.
 

(Kassim Selamat, Hj Basri and Mr Morni)

PBS Salam Lebaran 2009 left me with many good memories. This is my first experience attending such event. It had given me rich insight of the present day PBS; how it had transformed into a well established modern association (that I am proud to introduce it to the world) with preserved Baweanese culture without losing its roots and heritage; very different from the early days of its operation way back in 1960s through 1980s -the period I grew up among the Pondok people.
 

(A group photo with Dato' Aziz Satar)

I am amazed to see the positive transformation of PBS, paving its way towards modernization, keeping up its pace in-line with the progress that is happening in cosmopolitan city-state Singapore. PBS is now as advance as its country, thanks to its members which consist of young professionals guided by the veterans; collaborating their abilities in continuing the efforts started by their forefathers.

(This post is dedicated to PBS. Thank you for the well organized event. I have no regrets attending it. Personally, I think all Baweanese descents should make the effort to attend the function. )

Roti Boyan - The Baweanese Bread

The original "Roti Boyan" filled with mashed potatoes served with "Sambel Bilis"

A Baweanese is always a Baweanese no matter how the individual Baweanese progresses in life, moving away from the pondok lifestyle, becoming very different from those of his or her forefathers who came from the remote tiny island of Bawean to Singapore. Today, in cosmopolitan Singapore, a Baweanese descent like me is constantly exposed to many cultures and traditions, enjoying different kinds of food and flavours, yet still ended up getting attached to the Baweanese culture, especially the Baweanese food. I am always yearning for them, the Baweanese authentic dishes that the pioneer Baweanese people of Singapore, like my late grandmothers, grand aunties and mother-in-law used to cook.
 

The other side of the original "Roti Boyan" with potatoes fillings

Even though I had travelled far and wide, experienced variety of dishes from many different countries, I still love having "Roti Boyan", the Baweanese bread, for breakfast or afternoon tea. Although I have been living in Singapore most of my early life, mixing with other Singaporeans of different races and cultures, enjoying their food such as the Thai Tom Yam, the Chinese Noodle, the Indian Prata, the Italian Pizza, the Middle Eastern Kebab, the Hainanese Chicken Rice, the Western Hamburgers and many others, I still look around for the Baweanese bread. Even my children, who have very little exposure to the Baweanese food, enjoy eating "Roti Boyan". They showed thumb-up  and asked for more when I first introduced it to them.

"Roti Boyan" that similar to the Indian Prata

There are two types of Baweanese bread. One is similar to the Indian Prata and the other is filled with mashed potatoes. During my childhood, I used to have "Roti Boyan" for breakfast and sometimes during teatime. My favourite "Roti Boyan" is the one with mashed potatoes fillings. My late maternal grandmother was an expert in making it!

"Sambel Bilis"

In making the dough for "Roti Boyan", my grandmother normally used ghee mixed with warm water and salt before pouring the flour. I used to help her around with the boiling of potatoes, peeling the skin, mashing them in a bowl, adding a little salt, pepper, chopped celery, and eggs, mixing them into a perfect filling. Then I would help her with the lighting up of fire on the stove. At that time, during the 1970s the pondok people were still using kerosene stove for cooking. When the fire was burning right, it was time to put the wok on the stove and filled it with cooking oil. My grandma would prepare the bread to pan fry in the heated wok. This bread is usually eaten with the Baweanese "Sambel Bilis" - Chilli Anchovy.

The "Roti Boyan" that similar to Indian Prata with fried egg on it

Making the other type of Baweanese bread is simpler than the previous. The method of making the dough is the same as the first one. The dough is rolled on a pin several times, greasing it with oil before rolling it multiple times. When done, it is time to pan fry it on a heated wok. Then beaten egg with sliced onion is poured onto the bread. This bread is usually eaten with the Baweanese "Sambel Bilis" or "Sambel Tomes Tongkol" or "Semur Tongkol". Yummy!
 

"Semur Tongkol"

Today, "Roti Boyan" is eaten not only by the Baweanese people but also others from different ethnic groups living in the Singapore Malay community. The favourite is the one filled with mashed potatoes. It became popular with a different look!

 

The new look of "Roti Boyan" with potatoes fillings

Kelah Celok – The Baweanese “National” dish

Kelah Celok Tongkol

 

"Kelah Celok" is an authentic Baweanese dish. "Kelah" is the Baweanese word for dish and "Celok" means sour. There are two types of Kelah Celok ; fish and vegetable.

 

Kelah Celok Bechok

The fish "Kelah Celok" is a type of dish by which big fish such as Tuna, Red Snapper, or Humphead Wrasse (Bechok) is sliced thinly and cook in a boiling pot filled with water, tamarind juice, salt, blended fresh red chilli, green chilli, garlic, turmeric, onion, shrimp paste (belacan) and few corriander seeds (ketumbar).

Humphead Wrasse (Bechok)

 

Smaller fish such as Gold banded Scad (Selar Kuning), Herring (Tamban), or Indian Mackerel (Kembong) is the substitute for the big fish. However, in cooking the smaller fish, usually fresh sliced pineapple is added into the boiling pot. During preparation of this dish on the dining table, few stalk of small fresh chillies (chilli padi) are added into the bowl. Lime juice is squeeze on to the dish to make it tastier. The dish is to be served steamy hot with steam white rice .

 

Herring (Tamban)

The other type of "Kelah Celok" is prepared using vegetable such as long beans or ladies fingers. When cooking long beans in "Kelah Celok", the beans are cut into smaller pieces and added into a boiling pot filled with water, tamarind juice, salt, sugar, blended fresh red chilli, onion, shrimp paste and few corriander seeds. Together with steam white rice, this dish goes well with fried fish such as sliced Tuna or Kembong. Sambal belacan with cucumber make the meal appealing.
 

Celok Bendi dish  

Sambal belacan is grilled belacan pounded with fresh red chilli and sugar. It goes well with cucumber. Sometimes it is prepared with mashed hardboiled eggs and shredded green sour mango to add more flavors to the meal. The Baweanese from my Pondok called this side dish as "Penchek-penchek".
 

Kelah Celok Otok

It has been quite awhile since I last ate rice with "Kelah Celok Otok" ('Otok' is the Baweanese word for long beans) with fried tuna fish and "Penchek-penchek". I hope my mum will prepare them during my next visit to her home! Endek, Endek, Endek....nyaman Ongku!

''Cukok Tongkol'' - the Baweanese delicacy

"Cukok Tongkol" - Tuna fish

Generally, Singaporean Baweanese enjoy eating ''Cukok Tongkol''. ''Cukok'' is a Baweanese word for fish and ''Tongkol'' refers to ''Tuna''. Tuna is associated with the Baweanese people due to their passion eating this fish, turning it into a delicacy in their daily meals. This is a well-known fact among the people living in the Malay community. Some Baweanese take pride of this fact for they can be easily identified as a ''Boyan'' living among the other Indonesian ethnic groups in this community.

Like any other Singaporean Baweanese, I love to eat ''Cukok Tongkol'' which can be cooked into variety of dishes. My mother often cook dishes such as ''Celok Tongkol'', ''Semur Tongkol'', ''Phentheng Tongkol'', ''Sambel Tomes Tongkol'', ''Tomes Tongkol''. They are my favorite dishes eaten with steam white rice. Yummy!

''Sambel Tomes Tongkol'' - the Baweanese version of the Malay Asam Pedas dish

''Celok Tongkol'' - the pride of Baweanese delicacy
  ''Phentheng Tongkol'' -the Baweanese version of the Malay Pindang dish

During my childhood days in the 1960s and 1970s while living in Pondok Kalompang Gubuk, I remember helping my grandmother with the grilling of Tuna. To go with it, she would prepare black sauce mixed with fresh pounded chilli, thinly sliced onion and lime juice. In other occasion, she would prepare ''Buja Chappi'' – pounded fresh chilli with salt mixed with lime juice. ''Buja'' is the Baweanese word for salt while ''Chappi'' is the Baweanese word for chilli.

 

Sliced Tuna
 

"Lemak Kengan" -Green vegetables coconut soup

Tuna can also be sliced thinly and marinated with salted tumeric powder paste before deep fry. Fried Tuna can be eaten with steam white rice and green vegetables coconut soup. My grandmother used to prepare ''Penchek-Penchek'' - boiled eggs mashed with chilli shrimp paste (sambal belacan) and green sour mango shredded very thinly, to make the meal appealing. In other occasion, she would steam ''Paes Tongkol'' -thinly sliced boiled Tuna with dried chilli paste mixed with tamarind juice, sugar and salt wrapped in banana leaves. Hmmm! I miss my grandmother's cooking very much!

Celebration of Shawal in Singapore

Eid in Shawal

The celebration of Eid in Singapore during the month of Shawal is very colourful. For many Singaporeans of Baweanese descent, it is the time for visiting relatives and friends, exchanging information, catching up with each other or remembering the old good times. Like any other Singaporean Muslims, their homes are filled with colourful decorations and plenty of food for everyone. Traditional dishes and home-made cookies are always ready for the guests.
 

Eid-ul-Fitr 1990

 

Shawal is a joyous month of giving and receiving. The poor, the elderly and the little ones are always happy during this month, receiving green packets filled with cash. Smiles and laughter are always on their faces. It is always the same every year! Especially the children, they are the ones who lighten up the celebration of Eid through the years, decades after decades. Photographs of Eid capturing the moments of happiness show this is true!
 

Eid-ul-Fitr 1991

 

Eid-ul-Fitr 1992

Eid-ul-Fitr 1993

Eid-ul-Fitr 1994

Eid-ul-Fitr 1995

Eid-ul-Fitr 1996

Eid-ul-Fitr 1997

Eid-ul-Fitr 1998

Eid-ul-Fitr 1999