When did Indigeneity become so contentious?

Reflections on identity and migration from centuries before Raffles

In one of the oldest written accounts believed to reference Singapore, a 3rd-century Chinese traveller described the island as Pu-luo-zhong, thought to be a transliteration of Pulau Ujong (“island at the end of a peninsula”). This name, used by the Orang Laut who sailed the Nusantara, hints at a deeper history of Singapore — one that is often overshadowed by more dominant narratives. Both Malay and European historical texts describe the vital role that the Orang Laut played in navigation, trade, and development of the region; by the 14th century, they had developed strong ties to the Malay rulers of that period, serving as their orang kerahan (nobility’s vassals) and performing kerahan (traditional or corvée services).

Illustration of a view of Pulau Brani in the 1900s. Source: roots.gov.sg.

If you follow us on Instagram, you might recall a reel we posted in January, where we had the privilege of speaking with anthropologist Dr Vivienne Wee. She shared valuable insights on this vibrant history and the idea of indigeneity in Singapore—something we’ve been reflecting on deeply: What does indigeneity mean in the context of Singapore? Who does it include? And do we have the rights to use this term?

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A post shared by @oranglautsg

By definition, Indigenous communities are descended from the earliest known inhabitants of a place, especially one that was later colonised. Indigeneity is not always tagged to land, but rather rootedness in a specific place, including river or seascapes. In Singapore, the Orang Laut are recognised by researchers as Indigenous “people of the sea”, while Malays as an ethnic group are considered Indigenous to the wider Nusantara. When Raffles arrived in 1819, there were several suku-suku (groups) of Orang Laut living in Singapore, including the Orang Biduanda Kallang, Orang Gelam, Orang Seletar, and the Orang Selat. Historical records typically describe these groups as distinct from smaller communities of Malays and early Chinese immigrants.

But indigeneity isn’t just about being the “earliest inhabitants”. It also speaks to rich, enduring connections with the land and sea— ways of life shaped by, and shaping, the environment for centuries. In a webinar hosted by RIMA, Dr Vivienne Wee explained that Maritime Southeast Asia only emerged as we know it today when the sea levels rose thousands of years ago. Before that, Singapore was part of a larger landmass known as Sundaland.

Map of Sundaland 17,000 years ago. Source: Dr Vivienne’s lecture slides.

Amid this shifting geography, the Orang Laut came to prominence with their unmatched knowledge of the seas and its numerous islands, islets, and shoals. Their expertise in navigating these waters was indispensable to trade and travel in the region, which was known for being treacherous to foreign sailors.

Examples of boats that Indigenous coastal communities in the region used. Source: Dr Vivienne’s lecture slides.

After some of the Orang Laut, such as the Orang Selat, settled on the islands surrounding Singapore, coming to be known as Orang Pulau, they continued to nurture cultural beliefs and practices that reflect an intimate relationship with the environment. Certain animistic beliefs stem from a reverence for nature; for instance, there are sacred spaces on the various Southern Islands, like a tree on one of the Southern islands thought to be a sacred portal. When fishing or foraging, it is a core principle to only take what is needed, ensuring balance with the environment. Today, former islanders and descendants who still go out to sea carry an inherited knowledge of these waters.

Globally, similar worldviews are expressed by other Indigenous peoples. Increasingly, there is recognition that Indigenous knowledge systems – built on reciprocity, adaptability, and respect for the natural world – hold great wisdom, especially in discussions on sustainability and environmental change. As Potawatomi writer Robin Wall Kimmerer explains,

“Becoming indigenous to a place means living as if your children’s future mattered, to take care of the land as if our lives, both material and spiritual, depended on it.”

At Orang Laut SG, we embrace the term “Indigenous” to honour the deep, living connections that these communities maintain with the surrounding land and waters. It is also a rejection of colonial-era terms like “early migrants” or “settlers”, which downplay both these long-standing ties and the impacts of displacement and urban development. Acknowledging indigeneity affirms the Orang Laut’s place in Singapore's heritage, their historical role in the region, and the losses that came with relocation.

West Coast Park, Singapore

Upon sharing our Instagram reel of our conversation with Dr Vivienne, we were moved by the outpouring of solidarity and support. Many people commented on the lack of dialogue around pre-colonial history in Singapore, and other descendants reached out, relating to the stories and places Dr Vivienne brought up. The response reinforced how much these narratives matter—and how important it is to continue creating spaces for them.

In just four months, we will be holding Hari Orang Pulau, a day-long festival celebrating the culture, heritage, and stories of Singapore’s islander community, including descendants of the Indigenous Orang Laut. If you’ve ever contemplated the idea of indigeneity in Singapore, or how we can better understand our island’s identity and the diverse coastal communities that shape it, we’d love for you to be part of the conversation. Come share, learn, and celebrate with us — on 14 June 2025, West Coast Park. As a ground-up initiative, any and all contributions also go a long way in bringing this festival to life. We are still working hard to meet our fundraising goals!

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We’re grateful for the opportunities we’ve had to explore similar themes with some of you through our recent events. Here’s a little recap of what we got up to in February!

We started the month with a talk at Raffles Girls’ School (Secondary) as part of their Mother Tongue Language fortnight, and a sharing session for the Secondary 1 and 2 cohorts at Holy Innocents’ High School. Thank you for having us! It’s always a joy to share stories with students and spark conversations about Singapore’s island heritage, and we’d love to continue these exchanges with more educators and schools.

At Tanah dan Air, we hosted Isi Nio, the third of our Nio Series. Dr Anthony Medrano took us on a deep dive into the cultural and culinary significance of the coconut in the Nusantara, while culinary content creator Azfar Maswan explored traditional ways of using the coconut’s various parts. Azfar led a cooking demonstration of coconut-based dishes like Javanese urap, flavoured by ingredients lovingly “ulek-ed” (hand-ground) by our participants. Cik Nooraini and Cik Rohaini, former islanders from Pulau Semakau, shared a special dish of gamat (sea cucumber) topped with kerisik (toasted, grated coconut), bringing a taste of the islands to the table (and tikar).

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A post shared by @oranglautsg

Last week, we welcomed two lovely groups for our Coastal Walk, Food & Stories sessions. Together, we strolled through West Coast Park, sharing stories of the Southern Islanders, explored the community space, and set up the jong (traditional miniature sailboat) along the coast. Over a shared meal of Southern Islander cuisine, we also got to taste local fruits traditionally foraged by the Orang Laut / Pulau, such as buah sentul and buah cermai. A huge thank you to everyone who has visited our garden and made it feel like a home – our hearts are always warmed by your presence.

On 1 March, we are running a special tour at West Coast Park in collaboration with the National Museum of Singapore, as part of their Amazônia exhibition. The exhibition features stunning images by Sebastião Salgado, offering a glimpse into the lives of Indigenous communities in the Amazon. If you’d like to join us, tickets are available but going fast - get yours here!

Later in the month, we’re also planning to organise our annual Bubur Lambuk Ikan Tenggiri (spiced mackerel porridge) distribution and host an Iftar night for our volunteers. All are welcome – keep an eye on our Instagram and Telegram group for updates.

As always, thank you for being part of this journey with us, and Ramadan Kareem to all our Muslim friends :) Stay safe!

Firdaus