Local Customs and Culture in Singapore
Despite its small size, the local customs and culture in Singapore are unique and a mixture of various ethnic influences. All this has its roots in the country’s history as a trading hub. Learn more about Singapore’s history, the fining culture in Singapore, and its religions here on InterNations.
The culture in Singapore is defined by the different ethnic groups in the city state. Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Western influences are all palpable there, making for a mix of traditions and local customs. This diversity of the culture in Singapore is also reflected in the many languages spoken there, including English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil.
Local Customs – A Historical Perspective
Singapore is an island, located at the southern tip of Malaysia. From 1819, it served as a trading port for British ships on their way to India. As a major trading hub and because of its close proximity to its neighbor Malaysia, Singapore was prone to many foreign influences, both from Britain and from other Asian countries. Chinese and Indian workers moved to Singapore to work at the harbor. The country remained a British colony until 1959.
Although it took several decades to turn Singapore into the industrialized nation and expat hot spot that it is today, the foreign influence on culture in Singapore remained. Today, about 40% of the population is foreign. A mix of various languages, traditions, and religions is prevalent all over the state.