Singapore’s diverse ethnic heritage makes it an ideal (and first) entrant to the Island Heritage List. It represents two crucial components of sustainable heritage (tourism): the seamless linkage of tangible and intangible assets; and the inclusion and coming together of a wide cross section of locals and their stories. The dominant ethnic groups: Chinese; Malays and Indians. The island’s bustling urban district is undoubtedly a microcosm of multiculturalism, which has resulted in the birth of Singapore’s heritage conservation system- the CMIO model.
I interviewed Associate Professor in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the National University of Singapore (NUS) T.C. Chang in June 2009. Professor Chang has written widely on Singapore’s history, culture and heritage, and has particular research interest in the development of boutique hotels. Here’s an excerpt from that interview.
JNFL: The diversity of the ethnic background - is it an asset or liability for Singapore?
Be prepared to sample Singapore's distinctive cuisine.
Prof. Chang: I think it’s definitely an asset, but it’s an asset that’s difficult to manage and potentially very contentious. Multiculturalism is definitely an asset in so many ways not just to local people but to tourists. It’s an asset because it makes a place like Singapore interesting, and I mean not just in a tangible sense – the architectural forms are different, the activities are different, but also the intangible – the food, music, the very essence of the place is so heterogeneous and that makes it always interesting to discover. When you go into Little India tonight you will realize it’s such an enclave which is so different from other places in Singapore. If Singapore was just always modern, all Chinatown it would not have that degree of fun and dynamism.
JNFL:Why do you say it is an asset that is difficult to manage?
Prof Chang: I think it’s an asset that’s very difficult to manage because what you do for the Chinese community you must likewise show in a very visible way that you are also doing for the minority community. I give you an anecdotal example…China town as a lighting ceremony where all the lights come on and they make it very attractive and festive so that people can be drawn there during the Chinese/US season, beautiful and festive. This is done by the Singapore Tourism Board. Now they follow that up very closely with Light Up in Little India and Malay festival. This is very egalitarian. What you do for the Chinese, you must do for the Indians and for the Malays.
Ethnic festivals in Singapore. Source:TravelBite.co.uk
This shows how the government is with regard to anything you do with each ethnic group, where you have to equally provide it to others. In this case the tourism agency when they make a product for a festival or festive season you do it for all groups and likewise the conservation projects that started in Chinatown and Singapore River; soon it went on to Lagoon and so on. So here all the ethnic groups, the architectural styles, buildings - all these are conserved in a very systematic way. In other words your conservation programme must run the full gamut. This is what we call the CMIO model –Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Others. You cannot just do the ‘I’ and leave out the ‘M’ or you cannot do the Chinese and leave out the minorities.
Beautiful vernacular architecture stuns in Singapore
Multiculturalism is difficult because you have to show that all your programmes are multi-faceted, cover all groups and do not smack of favouritism. Actually it’s very tough; it’s really a tall challenge. -30-
We invite you to submit your island heritage site/experience to the Island Heritage List- a celebration of your unique island heritage! Simply submit a brief on the nominated site and/or experience in whatever form you choose: audio, video, photographs etc. to islandheritagescape@gmail.com.
This month’s featured IH-s Tips: Shaping an Island Heritage (tourism) spectrum
Island heritage (tourism) spectra seek to recognize, celebrate, promote, and develop the identity and way of life of island people. Points to consider:
Think outside the box: cultural heritage experience is boundless.
Be guided by the ‘identity’ and way of life of your island people.
Recognize social values of your island heritage above all else.
Respect those values. There are some heritage assets that are sacred and should never be ‘exposed’ to outside scrutiny; except in controlled settings.
That said, islands must also think ‘heritage business’ to be locally and globally relevant and competitive. Don’t be timid about exploiting your cultural resources; simply be responsible in your approach.
Be inclusive. Stakeholder collaborations are important for sustainability.
Be open to sustained heritage education. Basic heritage conservation and safeguarding skills is not to be frowned on. Engage your local heritage agencies for stakeholder training including local communities; schools; businesses.
Finally, the world is at your finger tips. Make it both your stage to shine and market to conquer!
We welcome your thoughts, queries (box below) or email islandheritagescape@gmail.com.
Allow me to digress from the core theme of recent posts to inject a different (but related) 'food for thought'. I can only hope that you'll see the applicable value of this post to island heritage ...
Ganbatte kudasai (がんばってください) is one of the first phrases I learnt as a student of Japanese. It’s used in and outside the classroom. Almost four years on I have fully embraced this Japanese principle and mantra.
Essentially, “ganbatte kudasai” is a 'charge' or encouragement for you to 'keep at'; 'go for'; 'hold on to' something. Ganbarimasu is the response phrase which means, ‘yes, I will do my best”.
‘Ganbatte’ life lessons
コミュニティスピリット(community spirit): Principle of the がんばって mantra. Scores of locals work together to restore the 19th century Gasshou Zukuri houses in Shirakawa-go.
Until you are immersed in the Japanese society you may never fully appreciate this simple, yet powerful life lesson. I could be wrong in this observation, but the ‘ganbatte’ mantra appears to be the single outlook to transcend the ‘higher-lower’ hierarchy in the society. It becomes an expectation in every sphere of life, among all peoples, in almost all contexts. It’s anticipated and applicable in almost every single thing that you do. In short, it’s a way of life in Japan. As a foreigner, the principle has become a measure of my psyche!
But ‘ganbatte’ encourages much more than ‘doing your best’. The principle speaks to commitment and passion for something which embraces the intrinsic value and worth you place on that thing. It facilitates increased levels of productivity among the Japanese, particularly those engaged in development initiatives. Have you ever wondered about the growth levels in Japan? Much of what the country accomplishes is a direct result of the spirit of togetherness, attitudes and ethics of the people. One of the reasons the Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, are named to the World Heritage List is the community spirit evidenced amongst locals to conserve and safeguard their cultural environment.
I’m not suggesting Japan is a perfect nation. Like any other developed country it has its challenges. I, however, respect that the Japanese live by a principle which commit to tackling those challenges.
Locals protect the integrity of their historic houses and environment
The ‘ganbatte’ principle in heritage
One of the first papers I wrote as a graduate student in Japan was inspired to some degree by the ‘ganbatte’ mantra. I was introduced to two local (cultural) communities - Shirakawa-go and Gokayama - located in the Chubu region. It would be cumbersome to share the full story in this space, but, the essential lesson is the intrinsic value the locals place on their heritage, and how this propels them to conserve, safeguard, celebrate, and develop that heritage.
Through a comparative analysis, I attempted to capture the importance of local ‘attitudes’ and values; passion and commitment to heritage development in a Jamaica Journal article titled “The intrinsic value of cultural heritage and its relationship to sustainable tourism development: the contrasting experiences of Jamaica and Japan", http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_7495/is_200906/ai_n42854806/
Japan is a model in heritage conservation, so the ‘ganbatte’ mantra in heritage is to be expected. Collectively, the main islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu are home to diverse natural and cultural heritage assets. Again, I’m not suggesting their heritage outlook is flawless. They too have challenges in shaping a sustainable heritage industry. I am appreciative that the island nation continues to make heritage a priority even amidst its own fiscal challenges.
The Torii, or Gateway, (in background) at Miyajima Island is a classic and celebrated icon in Japan. It represents traditional Japanese architectural expression. Miyajima Island situated in southwestern Hiroshima is a sacred historic district which is home to the famous Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
I met this elderly couple in Hiroshima Peace Park (in the background Hiroshima Genbaku Dome). We sat for a couple hours talking about the legacy of the Genbaku Dome and Caribbean heritage. Imagine my surprise when they started singing Harry Belafonte’s banana boat song!
Not only do the Japanese show reasonable levels of reverence towards their cultural heritage, but they are ‘enarmoured’ by other peoples and their cultures. This is most evident on either side of the demographic pendulum – children/young adults to older persons.
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The 'mantra' groomed personal endeavours...
I will be the first to admit that the 'ganbatte' mantra has carried me through my years of study in Japan. I have 'groomed' my passion and commitment to heritage research, and the 'un-spoken' expectation that the research must move beyond 'pages to practice'.
I have a deeper appreciation of heritage education, as well as a more solid and wholesome perspective about the socio-economic and political value of tangible and intangible heritage assets.
A partial view of the foyer to the World Heritage Laboratory, University of Tsukuba. The entrance is an informal ‘classroom’ which provides visitors and students with information on pertinent issues surrounding world heritage, as well as celebrating the cultural assets of nations. The Doctoral programme in World Cultural Heritage Studies is the first and only programme in the world specifically related to studies of world cultural heritage.
I agree with a colleague of mine with whom I had a brief conversation about this, that island nations (as likely all nations) they too have their own ‘ganbatte’ mantra. Id go out on the limb and say that few countries 'wear' the principle with as much flair as the Japanese.
As an Islander committed to the sustainable development of heritage, I have challenged myself to do my very best with the resources around me. Small islands have a responsibility to adopt and adapt a sustained ‘ganbatte’ approach to island heritage, focusing on “what you do with what you have”.
A friend recently shared this short feature, and two thoughts struck me. We are still not fully cognizant of how much we do have. Even more devastating, we are doing very little to capitalize on the supreme power and appeal of our island heritage...
From the "land of the rising sun" to your island home - がんばって ください!
The above quotations made popular by Charles Swindoll and Orison Marden (respectively) place in context the purpose of this post. I want to talk about integrating culture and development; and by extension the opportunities that we have been dancing around for far too long. It goes without saying therefore that again the heritage spectrum is on my mind! I would have referenced the concept in previous posts, but, allow me to fully explain its origin and purpose.
In 1996 Greg Richards advocated for a heritage spectrum in the industry. Richards argued that the concept was important to clarify the many types of heritage landscapes and experiences. (Tangible) heritage encompasses and cuts across several resources to include natural, cultural, rural, and urban sites. It follows then that heritage tourism will share similar characteristics with other ‘popularized’ niches such as eco-or nature tourism.
The heritage spectrum therefore recognizes that heritage tourism is an overlapping concept. Importantly, the spectrum has evolved to include intangible experiences, which also show fragments of an overlap. Certainly, elements of our intangible heritage are interwoven into our creative industries. I am pleased, however, that a growing number of like-minded heritage professionals have since sought to demonstrate that these over-laps (in both tangible and intangible heritage) can only serve to strengthen the industry.
The Heritage Spectrum: understanding heritage in relation to tourism development
As an advocate for the economic development of both tangible and intangible assets, I believe it’s important to renew the focus of the heritage spectrum within (tourism) development planning. This becomes especially necessary for small islands which must stake a place in a cluttered and highly competitive heritage tourism landscape.
Admittedly, cultural heritage tourism even though an age old concept, remains one of the most complex industry niches. In general, integrating cultural heritage and development continues to evade many countries. One of the chief issues - understanding what constitutes cultural heritage. As I would have suggested in a previous post, I shy away from ‘defining’ heritage, because of the risk of placing it in a box. But, in the most simplistic sense, cultural heritage encapsulates the way of life of people.
That said, how does one create a heritage (tourism) spectrum that best positions an island in the marketplace? There is no one answer to this question. However, the issue of making the most of the assets that are unique to the country; making full use of opportunities presented; as well as creating opportunities are proven approaches in effectively ‘positioning’ islands in global heritage tourism.
Missed opps: the ‘literary death’ of Jamaica’s Calabash
Calabash Literary Festival has been around for nearly a decade. Recently Jamaicans (and the world) were advised that 2010 would have been the final staging of the event. Not knowing the details I won’t use this space to discuss the ‘whys’. But the commentaries have been rife. I found this particular opinion piece worth reading.http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110123/ent/ent6.html
Like the author of that article, I’m obliged to also be ‘real’ and frank about the event. Jamaica missed the perfect opportunity (all of ten years simmering!) to position this festival as an emerging cultural heritage experience unique to the country. The event enhanced community-based tourism in Treasure Beach; it brought an expectant revenue base to the area. But it had the potential to be so much more including the capacity to attract larger numbers; thereby generating revenue way beyond the shores of Treasure Beach. Of course, being the proverbial optimist, I believe it’s not too late to ‘save’ the festival and make something much bigger of what it had grown to be.
I came across this short feature which forces me to ask, are we truly committed to making the most of those assets and experiences which are uniquely Jamaica?Show me another island in the Caribbean that can boast sustained achievements and experiences in areas such as sports, music, art, film, the performing arts…should I go on?
This ‘exercise’ is not about bragging rights. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. In this space, while we say ‘no island should stand alone’, we also say 'build individual resilience'. This 'exercise' therefore seeks to reiterate the dynamic nature of heritage; the socio-economic and political value of facilitating and developing heritage assets in policy and development planning. Within the context of the tourism industry, a heritage spectrum is an ideal and strategic marketing tool and approach in an often crowded field. But Calabash is just one of several examples of missed opportunities swirling around the island. Lets act on un-doing the ‘missed-opps’ to workable ‘opps’.
Sporting ‘opps’ re-emerging in the ring; on the courts
The Body Snatcher
Speaking of opportunities, I watched (with tons of hope) the third staging in the Wray and Nephew the Contender series aired on Television Jamaica. For those familiar with boxing greats like Mike McCallum and Shrimpy Clarke, you will know that boxing had always been a popular sport in Jamaica. What has been lacking over the years is the corporate support that we are now seeing with the Contender series.
My first hope is that this event which has the makings of being a real success story in our sporting culture will be sustained. I hope that the energies of talented young men who have an interest and passion in the ring will be given the opportunity to hone their natural abilities for a long time to come. I am also hopeful that the linkages will be made to further develop and position a distinctive cultural heritage (tourism) spectrum for the country.
Jamaica's Sunshine Girls- prowess on the court
Jamaica's prowess in sport is not a fluke! Do all Jamaicans recognize and embrace sport as part of their identity? A reminder, that Usain Bolt (in all his glory) is not the forerunner of athletics in Jamaica. The island enjoys a history that dates back decades! Similarly, boxing had long been an established sport in the country. As noted earlier, it simply suffered at the hands of those who had little faith in the sport, and the sportsmen who heralded the game. We see the 'courting' taking place in netball, and one can only pray that the game is given a fair chance to flourish and find its rightful place in Jamaica's sporting heritage.
Herb McKenley- Jamaica's athletics giant in the 1940s
There are more examples to speak of, but I think the point is made. Sport is a distinctive asset in Jamaica's past; present and future. Are all concerned, including policy makers positioning sport as a central tier of the cultural heritage (tourism) spectrum? It makes no economic sense for the country to exert and stretch its already meager human and financial resources, trying to market sub-niches of cultural heritage such as sport and health tourism. But this particular issue is a subject for a separate post.
Celebrating what's 'cool' may be right in front of you
The features they highlight as being ‘cool’ including the Jamaican ‘accent’ are the things locals take for granted. We live it, so most of us don’t fully understand the global appeal of the country’s unique heritage assets.
One Love Concert: Japanese take advantage of the opportunities
I wager, this is in part the reason Jamaica has been victim to the 'missed opps' to develop its heritage (tourism) spectrum. There are possibilities to revive those missed opportunities, and lingering potential to make the most of the opportunities staring the country in its face.
In memory of Reggae legend, Hon. Robert Nesta Marley, who would have celebrated his 66th birthday today, February 6. Marley shaped numerous opportunities for Jamaica, and Jamaicans. From the locals in the hills of Nine Miles, St. Ann, his birthplace; to the enriching space where he crafted his talent, that is Trench Town Culture Yard in Kingston- Bob Marley’s legacy symbolises missed opportunities and opportunities, simply waiting to happen.
