Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar

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Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar

Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar
Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar. Photo from TheSmartLocal.

The Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar is an annual large-scale street market, commonly held during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. Consisting of over 500 stalls, the bazaar is held at Wisma Geylang Serai and its surrounding areas.

History

Origins

The origins of the Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar can be traced back to as early as 1910, when the Geylang Serai site became a full-fledged marketplace famous for traffic congestions and numerous hawkers.[1]

Up to the 1960s, Ramadan shopping in Geylang Serai was served by the shops and the itinerant and seasonal traders converging in the vicinity. This eventually spread to the adjoining Eastern Trade Fair, which was opened in 1948. The Trade Fair was eventually demolished in 1962 to make way for the Geylang Serai HDB scheme, which was completed in 1964. It included a market and concourse complex, called Pasar Baru (New Market).[1]

Pasar Baru eventually became the focal point of the annual Ramadan bazaar from the early 1970s up to the present day.[1]

1970s-1980s

Despite a redevelopment of Geylang Serai and resettlement of its residents in 1972, the bazaar remained popular and well-patronised by Malays in Singapore. Shoppers from Malaysia and Brunei also regularly travelled to Singapore to visit the bazaar.[1]

In 1983 and 1984, the Tanjong Katong and Joo Chiat Complexes were opened respectively. This helped to accommodate more shops for the annual bazaar.[1]

In 1984, the Singapore Tourism Board (then-called Singapore Tourist Promotion Board or STPB) initiated the idea of a street light-up, as well as introducing the new trend of media involvement through guest star appearances and performances staged at the bazaar. The Geylang Serai Citizens’ Consultative Committee (CCC) and later Kampong Ubi CCC also began organising additional Ramadan bazaars and trade fairs in Geylang Serai.

1990s & 2000s
File:Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar in 1991..jpg
Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar in 1991. Photo from Mothership.

In the 1990s, the Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar was a vibrant affair, though the crowds were not as huge as in modern times.[2] According to photos from the National Archives of Singapore, common items being sold at the Ramadan Bazaar in the 90s included traditional food items like bamboo rice and grilled fish, as well as traditional snacks and fashion items alongside household items.

2016 - 2018

Between 2016 and 2018, negative sentiment toward the bazaar’s “hipster” slant grew when food items such as edible helium balloons and rainbow taco made an appearance to attract a younger crowd. Some within the Malay-Muslim community criticised the bazaar for losing its Malay identity and “Ramadan vibes”.[3][4] It also prompted the launching of some online petitions to the Government to “reinstate the Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar back to its original intention”.[5]

Example of rainbow-themed food which drew criticism
Example of rainbow-themed food which drew criticism. Photo from Eatbook.


In 2017, two halal-food blog sites conducted on-the-ground research by approaching every food vendor in the bazaar to find out if the stalls were either Halal certified or owned by a Muslim boss.[6] According to Vulcan Post, they discovered that “a great number of stalls fail to satisfy either one of the conditions.”[6]

2019

Following past years’ public feedback that the bazaar was losing its authenticity and traditional roots, organisers highlighted that the bazaar in 2019, would be “returning to its traditional Malay roots”.[7]

Several measures were implemented by the organisers,[8] These were:

  • Rental fees being capped at S$14,000, after complaints in previous years about the increasing rental fees
  • 60% of food stalls must sell traditional Malay food
  • All food sold must be suitable for Muslim visitors and certified halal
  • Majority of non-food items sold have to be associated with the festive season

As such, this saw a rise in more traditional food associated with Malay-Muslim culture, such as grilled prawns and various deep-fried confectioneries being offered at the bazaar.

Hiatus of physical bazaar during 2020 - 2021

In light of the evolving COVID-19 outbreak in Singapore in 2020, the People’s Association announced that the annual Hari Raya Bazaar would be deferred, and this included the bazaars at Wisma Geylang Serai, Our Tampines Hub and Woodlands.[9][10]

The cancellation came after the Government announced that all ticketed cultural, sports and entertainment events with 250 participants or more were to be deferred or cancelled.[11]

In response to the cancellation, businesses pivoted to selling their food and goods online, although many conceded that sales paled in comparison to an actual physical event.[12]

In 2021, it was announced that the bazaar would continue to be an online affair, as COVID case numbers were still on the rise.[13]

Resumption of physical Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar in 2022

In March 2022, it was reported that the bazaar would be making a return as a physical event, after having been cancelled for two years due to the pandemic.[14] This was after the People’s Association called for tenders for a "Geylang Serai Hari Raya Shopping Experience 2022" during the period of Ramadan (2 April 2022 to 2 May 2022).[14]

There would be two physical bazaars held in 2022: one in Geylang Serai and the other at Kampong Glam.[15] Both bazaars will be open from 1pm to 11pm.

As part of the festivities, there would also be a light-up in the Geylang Serai area from 31 March 2022 to 8 May 2022, covering the vicinity of Geylang Road, Changi Road and Sims Avenue.[16] The theme of the light-up is “Gotong Royong – Unity and Resilience”, which celebrates the spirit of the community helping one another and kindness, themes which especially resonate in light of the global pandemic over the last two years.[16]

Changes from past bazaars

The Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar in 2022 is smaller in scale to ensure public safety as Singapore eases into living with Covid.

The 2022 bazaar will feature a total of 40 stalls, which is a significant drop from the 500 to 800 stalls in previous years.[17] There will also be a cap of 600 visitors at any one time within the bazaar, in line with safe distancing rules.

To manage the crowd volume, the organisers will be implementing a crowd control system where each visitor would be given a small laminated card upon entry, which they will have to return upon exiting the bazaar.[18] There are also fixed entrances and exits to the bazaar.

Card used for crowd control within the bazaar
Card used for crowd control within the bazaar. Photo from Mothership.
Changes to safe management measures

On the first day of the bazaar, there was such an overwhelming popularity that organisers had to temporarily stop people from queueing to enter one of its zones where food was on sale.[19] Changes were also made to ensure shorter food preparation and queue times, by allowing food stallholders to have up to six people manning their stalls, two more from the four originally allowed.[19]

On 5 April 2022, The Straits Times reported that in view of the relaxed safe management measures, the bazaar would be expanded to accommodate more stalls and visitors.[20] The changes include the addition of two more zones to host 30 more food and retail stalls, bringing the total number of stalls for the 2022 bazaar to 70. Each zone would still have its own queues, and separate entrance and exit points for better crowd management.[20]

References / Citations
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Singapura Stories. “FOM Feature: More than just culture: Ramadan Bazaars in Bussorah Street and Geylang Serai in urban historical perspective”. Singapura Stories. May 13, 2021. Accessed 5 April 2022.
  2. ↑ Zheng, Zhangxin. “Old 1980s & 1990s photos of Geylang Serai Ramadan bazaar show how different it used to be”. Mothership. April 27, 2019. Accessed 6 April 2022.
  3. ↑ Nazren, Fasilha. “Why I'll always visit the Geylang Serai bazaar, even though it has supposedly lost its 'Ramadan vibes'”. Mothership. May 5, 2019. Accessed 6 April 2022.
  4. ↑ Mokhtar, Faris. “Geylang Serai bazaar returns to Malay roots this Hari Raya, stall rental capped at S$14,000”. Today Online. March 28, 2019. Accessed 6 April 2022.
  5. ↑ Wahab, Halim. “Return back the cultural and historical significance of Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar”. GoPetition. June 2, 2018. Accessed 5 April 2022.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Shazni, M. “The Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar Has Quit Its Job And Pivoted To Food For Hipsters Instead”. Vulcan Post. May 30, 2017. Accessed 5 April 2022.
  7. ↑ Zheng, Zhangxin. “Old 1980s & 1990s photos of Geylang Serai Ramadan bazaar show how different it used to be”. Mothership. April 27, 2019. Accessed 6 April 2022.
  8. ↑ Lay, Belmont. “2019 Geylang Serai Ramadan bazaar food to be 40% hipster, 60% traditional, rental capped at S$14,000”. Mothership. March 31, 2019. Accessed 6 April 2022.
  9. ↑ Channel NewsAsia. “Hari Raya Bazaar at Wisma Geylang Serai deferred due to COVID-19 concerns: PA”. Channel NewsAsia. 18 March 18, 2020. Accessed 5 April 2022.
  10. ↑ Chandra, Alif. “Annual Hari Raya bazaars cancelled due to 'evolving' Covid-19 situation: PA”. Today Online. March 18, 2020. Accessed 5 April 2022.
  11. ↑ Baharudin, Hariz. “Coronavirus: All Ramadan bazaars by People's Association, including Geylang bazaar, cancelled”. Straits Times. March 18, 2020. Accessed 5 April 2022.
  12. ↑ Abu Baker, Jalelah. “COVID-19: Geylang Serai Bazaar vendors move online after cancellation of event”. CNA Online. April 18, 2020. Accessed 5 April 2022.
  13. ↑ Channel NewsAsia. “Geylang Serai Hari Raya Bazaar to be held online on new digital platform due to COVID-19 outbreak”. Channel NewsAsia. January 13, 2021. Accessed 5 April 2022.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Baharudin, Hariz. “Ramadan bazaar in Geylang Serai to return this year but scaled down”. Straits Times. March 11, 2022. Accessed 5 April 2022.
  15. ↑ Keng Gene, Ng. “Ramadan bazaars, Hari Raya light-ups to return in Kampong Glam and Geylang Serai”. Straits Times. March 15, 2022. Accessed 5 April 2022.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Fong, Chun. “Geylang Serai Hari Raya Light Up 2022: Lights On Till 8 May”. LittleDayOut. March 31, 2022. Accessed 6 April 2022.
  17. ↑ How, Mandy. “Despite rent of up to S$25,000, Geylang Serai bazaar stallholders optimistic about business”. Mothership. April 4, 2022. Accessed 5 April 2022.
  18. ↑ How, Mandy. “Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar 2022: What to expect & how it's different this year”. Mothership. April 3, 2022. Accessed 5 April 2022.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Keng Gene, Ng. “Small-scale Ramadan bazaar in Geylang Serai a hit, queueing halted temporarily to limit visitors”. Straits Times. April 3, 2022. Accessed 5 April 2022.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Goh, Ryan. “Ramadan bazaar at Geylang Serai to get 30 more stalls at two new zones from April 14”. Straits Times. April 5, 2022. Accessed 5 April 2022.
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