A HISTORY OF THE JAVANESE AND BOYANESE IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

Prior to 1960, the unique traits of the Javanese and Boyanese in Singapore tended to perpetuate their separate identities. These attributes, however, were markedly weakened by changes in the years that followed. This culminated in their eventual identification with the Malay community. From the 1850s to the 1920s, both communities tended to maintain their distinctive identities. The majority were brought into ethnically based networks, reinforced by patterns of residence, occupation and social life. The 1930s-1940s brought political and economic strain. The Javanese made several changes to their traditional lifestyle as evident in the composition of their kampongs, style of dressing and language. These changes were, however, too limited in scope to cause any significant shift in the Javanese's identity. The Boyanese, however, developed two important social organizations which tended to strengthen their sense of segregation from others in Singapore. In the period 1950s-1970s, both communities experienced further changes brought about less by economic stress than by political adjustments after the war. The changes in their residence, education, religion, political identities and the growth of Malay organizations tended to make both the Javanese and Boyanese appear less unique and to push them closer towards identification with the Malays. By the 1970s, many of them had come to see themselves not only as Javanese or Boyanese but also as Malays of Singapore.