Singapore 2018 - Early Trades in Singapore

Technical Details:
Date of Issue: 18 Apr 2018
Denominations: 1st Local, 60c, 90c, $1.30
Stamp Size: 45mm x 30mm
Perforation: 13-14
Paper: Unwatermarked
Printing Process: Offset Lithography
Printer: Thai British Security Printing
Sheet Content: 10 stamps per sheet
Designer: Lim An-ling

Descriptions:
The Early Trades of Singapore stamp issue is released to preserve the memories of the early trades in Singapore. Beautifully depicted in this stamp issue are four early trades – Samsui Woman, Sikh Guard, Boatman and Coolie.  They bear testimonies to growing and building of yesteryear Singapore and are part of our nations rich cultural heritage.

Samsui Women

Samsui women hailed from the Guangdong county of Sanshui in China and during Singapore's early years, they were employed to work in labour-intensive sectors such as building and construction.  They were characterised by their distinctive red headscarves or hong toujin which marked their membership in a sisterhood sworn to singlehood as well as their commitment to maintain their independence through labour.  They often worked long hours carrying heavy loads and performing manual work at wages lower than their male counterparts.  From the late 1970s onwards, industrial advancements such as the introduction of prefabrication technology resulted in decreased demand for Samsui women.  As a result, many Samsui women entered other fields of works such as housekeeping and general cleaning.

Sikh Guard

From the second half of the 19th century, Sikhs from Punjab, India were recruited by the colonial authorities to serve as policemen and security personnel in the Straits Settlements. to augment local recruits and expand the police forces.  The colonial authorities regarded Sikhs as loyal and honest, and as possesing great physical and martial prowess.  In 1881, a Sikh Police Contingent was established in Singapore and other police units (such as Tanjong Pagar Dock Police, Sembawang Naval Police Force, Seletar Air Base Additional Police Force) continued to recruit Sikh policemen up till the mid-20th century.  Those who could not meet the strict guidelines to join the police were employed as private security guards (jaga) or watchmen, or took up other trades.

Boatman

The Orang Laut, or Boatmen, refers to tribes of nomadic "sea people" who traversed the Malay Archipelago.  These sea tribes lived on houseboats and sought out a livelihood through fishing, simple trade and seamanship.  Due to the boatmen's deep knowledge of the monsoon patterns as well as the geography of local islands, reefs and estuaries, local rulers, regional traders as well as merchants hailing from around the world often sought their services.  The Orang Laut also rowed out to deeper waters in their sampans where the large merchant ships were anchored and transported cargo back to port.  Through the course of time, many Orang Laut have assimilated into the larger Malay community and the traditional boatman as an occupation has disappeared with the tides of time.

Coolie

Coolies were unskilled manual labourers who formed the backbone of Singapore's earliest labour force.  They were employed in almost every type of work during the colonial era, including construction, agriculture, shipping, and transport.  Old photographs of the Singapore River often show coolies carrying gurney sacks of commodities to and from vessels docked at the river.  Most of these coolies were Chinese and Indian immigrants who had come to Singapore during the second half of the 19th century and early 20th century to seek their fortune.  Despite the hardships they faced, few coolies returned to their home countries.  Instead, most of them settled down in Singapore doing odd jobs even as the need for manual labour decreased.