The Almost Forgotten Race

“What’s a Eurasian?”

Singapore is known as a multi-cultural and multi-racial country. Since the colonial days, migrants from all over the world would settle on this tiny red dot looking for job opportunities and a fresh, new start. It is still the case even til today. The vibrant mix of culture and religion has led Singapore to be an open-minded society, accepting all races with equality.

It came to me as a surprise when I encounter local Singaporeans asking me what a Eurasian is on several different occasions! How can this be when we are a pioneer race of Singapore?

A thriving community, the Eurasians have been around since the time of the Portuguese settlement in the 16th century. The Portuguese men would take the local women as wives or mistresses and their children were Eurasian. Back then, each race kept to themselves with little or no intermarriages.

It was the same with the Eurasian people.

When asked what’s my mix, I would share that I have German, Portuguese, Brazilian and Chinese ancestry. Most people would be flabbergasted. So many? How is it possible?

Well, when Eurasians marry Eurasians, don’t their children inherit all the ancestry that came with both parents? There you have it, now you understand! 😉

I sincerely hope that Singapore can do more to educate her people on the different races co-inhabiting on this little island we call home. Although there is mention of the Eurasian people in schools, it is too brief and fleeting. Over the years and especially since World War II, the Eurasian population has steadily dwindled. Many have chosen to seek out better opportunities abroad.

As such, in recent decades, locals rarely have the opportunity to know someone who is Eurasian.

Another race, similar in situation to the Eurasians are the Baba Nyonyas or the Peranakans. However, due to the publicity of local TV drama serials and extensive exhibits at the local museums on their rich culture, locals are fully aware of what a Baba Nyonya is. They are especially known and remembered for their delicious quehs and exquisite tasting food.

The Eurasians are also known for their fantastic dishes of richly, mouth-watering food and the colourful culture but for some reason, we have become an almost forgotten race amongst local Singaporeans.

Ask any Singaporean in the 21st century to name a Eurasian dish and you might draw a blank stare.

As a proud Eurasian, I am deeply saddened. Our identity is being shoved in the history storage department, left behind and almost buried slowly. Soon, no trace will be left of our achievements that should be deeply rooted in the minds of Singaporeans.

Did you know that Benjamin Sheares is Eurasian? He is the second president in Singapore. Dr Charles Paglar was a war hero and the president of the Singapore Recreation Club. Edward Tessensohn was honored for his many contributions to the  society when the government included him in a set of stamps honoring Singapore’s pioneers. Rex Shelley was a prominent Eurasian author who wrote books about his race and the culture. This is to name but a few.

The government could do more to educate people about Eurasians or at least to create an awareness of the race. When I fill up an application form from the government, there’s no mention of the race Eurasian. There is a selection of either Chinese, Malay or Indian but no Eurasian…only ‘Others’.

A pioneer race of Singapore still categorized as ‘Others’ til today. It is no wonder that we lack identity in this society. For our many contributions to Singapore, shouldn’t we be entitled to a name for our race?

It is called Eurasian.

Here’s some of my family portraits to share on how Eurasians look like…

My grandparents…

My Aunt and Uncle’s Wedding. That’s my dad and mum to the far right.

Gorgeous Eurasian women… At my cousin’s recent wedding.

(My article “The Almost Forgotten Race” has drawn mixed feelings. Many (those not living in SE Asia) are confused and disagree when I say that Eurasian numbers are dwindling. The Eurasians I am referring to in my article are the Eurasians whose families have lived in Singapore for decades to a century. As such, this group of people have formed their own unique culture and heritage which may face extinction. I’m not referring to first generation Eurasians whose numbers are definitely on the rise in this era.

When I wrote the article, I suppose I had not given thought that my readers would also be people who are not from SE Asia and hence, will not know that there are a certain group of people who are known as Eurasians and possess their own unique culture, food and even language which is not distinctly European or Asian in a sense.

I wrote the article in mind to share my thoughts on what’s happening to a culture and heritage that is quickly disappearing. And why? So that we will remember and know that there is a language called Kristang, there is a dish called Curry Devil and there is a group of people called Eurasian who are not entirely European or Asian. 

In Singapore, we are able to live harmoniously (and successfully) regardless of race or religion and our schools educate our children on the many different race and religions in Singapore so that we can understand and respect one another.

When we understand why our fellow Singaporeans do the things that they do, believe the things that they believe, we are more likely to be accepting of each other. That is why educating people is so important. That is why we need to learn about one another.

So, no. The article is NOT about fanaticism, racism or anything about a ‘superior race’ (which is ridiculous). It is simply about remembering and cherishing a culture and heritage in SE Asia that is slowly but surely disappearing. )