Singapore’s first Hari Orang Pulau festival took place on 14 June 2025 at West Coast Park, celebrating the culture and heritage of the country’s indigenous islander communities.
Organised by Orang Laut SG with support from the National Heritage Board, the one-day event aimed to preserve the stories and traditions of the Orang Pulau and Orang Laut.
The event highlighted the unique traditions of communities that once inhabited Singapore’s offshore islands before being relocated to the mainland due to national development projects.
These groups included not only the Orang Laut, or sea people, but also Malay, Bugis, and Chinese traders who had settled on the islands and developed distinct island-based skills such as fishing, foraging, and boat-making.
Throughout the day, attendees experienced a variety of cultural performances and activities.
These included the joget dangkong, a traditional dance originating from the Riau Islands, and workshops on maritime skills led by experienced fishermen. Participants learned traditional fishing techniques, such as using bubu traps and gill nets, reflecting the communities’ deep connection to the sea.
The festival also offered photo exhibitions portraying daily life at sea, earth-based paint-making workshops, and screenings of films that explore the lives of regional coastal communities.
Panel discussions provided a platform to examine the intercultural history of Singapore’s offshore islands, while games and competitions added a light-hearted touch for visitors.
The venue, West Coast Park, was chosen for its historical significance as a docking point for Southern Islanders arriving in Singapore. The event provided a symbolic backdrop to underscore the continued presence and contributions of these communities in modern Singapore.
Beyond celebrating heritage, the event also addressed the challenges faced by these communities. The small remaining community space along the West Coast Park coastline sits on state land and is under potential threat from development. The festival served as a platform to raise awareness of these issues while fostering a sense of community among descendants and supporters.
The festival builds upon previous efforts by Orang Laut SG, founded during the COVID-19 pandemic to preserve the disappearing memories of Singapore’s seafaring folk.
A prior event in 2023, Panggilan Anak Pulau, attracted hundreds of attendees and demonstrated growing public interest in Singapore’s indigenous maritime heritage.
As part of the day’s proceedings, Education Minister Desmond Lee announced the formation of a work group involving representatives of the indigenous islander communities and government agencies such as the Urban Redevelopment Authority, Singapore Land Authority, and Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.
The initiative aims to collaborate on preserving cultural heritage and exploring sustainable community development.
Speakers during the event emphasised the importance of documenting these oral histories while many of the original island inhabitants, who were often children when they relocated, are still able to share their experiences.
Academics and cultural experts highlighted the need to acknowledge not only the economic benefits of land development but also the cultural costs borne by these communities.
The festival also served as a rare opportunity for former islanders and their descendants to gather, reconnect, and share personal stories, keeping alive the “spirit of the people of the sea.”
Beyond cultural preservation, their traditional yet sustainable lifestyle on Singapore’s shores offers valuable insights into how nature-based solutions and climate action can address the polycrisis of global heating, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The deep ecological knowledge embedded in these practices may contribute to broader conversations on environmental resilience and sustainability.
Organisers hope Hari Orang Pulau will become an annual event that continues to raise awareness, promote dialogue, and honour the complex, layered history of Singapore’s coastal communities.
Members of Progress Singapore Party at the event (Photo: PSP)
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