Author: precociousdevil

  • Where exactly is Katong and Joo Chiat?

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    precociousdevil
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    Katong vs Joo Chiat: A Tale of Two East Coast Icons The East Coast of Singapore is home to two of the island’s most culturally rich neighborhoods: Katong and Joo Chiat. While they share a common heritage rooted in Peranakan culture, these districts have evolved into distinct places with unique identities. Understanding their differences—geographically and…

  • Identifying the “Katong” Turtle

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    precociousdevil
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    The Turtle of Katong: Historical and Scientific Investigations into the Identity of Singapore’s ‘Katong’ Turtle Introduction The name ‘Katong’ is deeply woven into the cultural and geographical tapestry of Singapore, most notably as the prominent historical district along the island’s East Coast. Local lore, colonial records, and modern scholarship converge on the assertion that ‘Katong’—and…

  • The Fruit Streets of Joo Chiat – A slice of Singapore’s Past

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    precociousdevil
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    Welcome to Joo Chiat, one of Singapore’s most vibrant heritage districts. Known for its colourful Peranakan shophouses and rich cultural tapestry, this area also hides a quirky secret: a cluster of streets named after tropical fruits. Today, we’ll uncover the story behind these names and the man who shaped this neighbourhood. The Legacy of Chew…

  • Origins of Katong’s name

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    precociousdevil
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    The name Katong is believed to come from the Javanese name of the leather-back turtle. In alternate accounts from the NParks, it is also believed to have been derived from the “Katong Laut” tree, a native coastal species – cynometra ramiflora (https://www.facebook.com/nparksbuzz/posts/trees-streetsdo-you-know-where-katong-got-its-name-from-the-native-katong-laut-t/966254610080682/). In the early days, Katong was a seaside retreat for the wealthy, dotted…

  • Katong Culture: A brief History

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    precociousdevil
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    Introduction Step into Katong–Joo Chiat, and you’ll find more than pastel-hued shophouses and aromatic laksa. This precinct is a living archive of Singapore’s multicultural journey—a tapestry of Peranakan elegance, Eurasian traditions, and Malay roots. At the heart of this vibrant enclave stands Katong Culture, a community initiative born in 2022 to preserve, promote, and rejuvenate…