Sunday, August 31, 2014

Data collection: Entertainment and Lifestyle of Eurasians in Singapore during colonial times


Source A: A write-up in the "Eurasian showcase" within the Eurasian Association
Built on 1 July 1883 at the Padang grounds, the SRC was a result of Eurasian efforts to provide the community with a place for social and recreational activities.
More than just a social club, the SRC also wrote itself into local sporting folklore, with the achievements of its members in the sporting foray well documented.
More importantly, the SRC served as a commonplace for Eurasian activities and gatherings, bringing families together and helping to build social bonds within members of the community.
From Source A, I can tell that sports was important to the early Eurasian community. This can be seen from the fact that they took the effort to set up the Singapore Recreation Club which became a central place for them to interact.

Source B: Excerpt of a blog spot (taken from: http://lampinfoo.com/2011/03/31/the-singapore-eurasians-the-inheritors-of-western-and-asian-cultures/)
[The Eurasians] also shared the British fervour for sports, particularly cricket and hockey, as a prerequisite and mark of a gentleman.
From Source B, I can tell that sports was important to the early Eurasian community. This can be seen from the source which said that sports was "a prerequisite and mark of a gentleman". This meant that in order to be seen as a gentlemen with civilised upbringing, the Eurasian had to also be a sportsman, showing the importance of sports to their lifestyle.

Source C: A photo from the archive of Girls Sports Club (first known as Goldburn Sports' Club) set up in 1929 by 12 Eurasian women


From Source C, I can tell that sports was important for bonding in the Eurasian community. This can be seen from Source C which shows children of sportswomen mingling after a game in the Girls Sports Club. Sports was thus an important facet of their lifestyle and allowed them to socialise. Furthermore, children who have been attending these games from young would probably grow up with a love for sports too.

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