STREET SCENE IN SINGAPORE
A gathering of street hawkers and others at the junction of South Bridge Road and Cross Street in Chinatown, Singapore. Cross Street was a busy street in the city popular for its many street shows and shops. Although in Chinatown, the district between Cross Street and the nearby Chulia Street was home to a substantial Indian community. The image  reflects the multi-ethnic nature of Singapore society. The focus of this photograph is the butchery located at junction of South Bridge Road and Cross Street, next to Tong Cheong Tailor.  An excited crowd of buyers as well as transport providers seems to have gathered ahead of a festive occasion, possibly Hari Raya or Muharram, which would be a day for the consumption of meat, possibly as mutton briyani (fragrant rice cooked with mutton).  The butchery gave Cross Street its Tamil name "katthikadai sadakku" (Butchery Junction).
1860-1880
19980005122 - 0088
19548
S2935
Viewing permitted. Use and reproduction only with permission.
Lee Kip Lin Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore
This image is reproduced from a photograph donated by Lee Kip Lin. The postcard is published by G R Lambert & Co. Updated with contribution from Peer on 1 Oct 2021.

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A gathering of street hawkers and others at the junction of South Bridge Road and Cross Street in Chinatown, Singapore. Cross Street was a busy street in the city popular for its many street shows and shops. Although in Chinatown, the district between Cross Street and the nearby Chulia Street was home to a substantial Indian community. The image  reflects the multi-ethnic nature of Singapore society. The focus of this photograph is the butchery located at junction of South Bridge Road and Cross Street, next to Tong Cheong Tailor.  An excited crowd of buyers as well as transport providers seems to have gathered ahead of a festive occasion, possibly Hari Raya or Muharram, which would be a day for the consumption of meat, possibly as mutton briyani (fragrant rice cooked with mutton).  The butchery gave Cross Street its Tamil name "katthikadai sadakku" (Butchery Junction).

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