The Story Of Our Childhood In 1930s Singapore | Let Me Tell You A Story - Part 1/2 | Full Episode
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 มิ.ย. 2024
- From climbing coconut trees to catching crabs by the sea, the generation who were born in the 1930s and 40s lived in a Singapore completely different from what we know now. As these landscapes disappear and ways of life change, their childhood memories give intimate glimpses into the world of old Singapore.
Hear the true stories of Singaporeans who lived through a bygone era, and the vivid details of how their idyllic childhood was shattered by a war that changed everything. Through their most intimate and personal recollections, ‘Let Me Tell You A Story’ paints a portrait of their coming of age.
WATCH MORE Let Me Tell You A Story
Ep 2: • Growing Pains In 1950s...
0:00 Introduction
1:57 Our childhoods in a multilingual nation of immigrants
9:45 Too poor to study, not too young to work
16:23 The Japanese invasion of Singapore
21:13 Surviving harsh conditions during the Japanese Occupation
28:34 From wayangs to Japanese propaganda films
34:54 Children found clever ways to survive the Occupation
37:47 Celebrating the surrender of the Japanese
41:14 The desire to be an independent nation
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About the show: These are the stories of the last surviving historians among us. Hear the vivid memories of a time gone by, told by a generation who grew up in a completely different Singapore nearly 100 years ago.
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#CNAInsider #LetMeTellYouAStoryCNA #Singapore #SingaporeHistory
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"When an elder dies, a library is burned down". So true...
I'm also amazed how these elders aged >90 are so healthy
Suratman Markasan is a national treasure. His Malay Language and literature are fascinating and mind blowing.
Sounds like javanesse name,
His slangs sound like Indonesian
He is of Javanese descent like many Malays in SG, he mentioned in 02:32. He is a Malay literary giant in the region.
It is an honour to be able to learn about the past of our elders, even if they’re from neighbouring countries! The opportunity to learn from the ones who lived during times when historical moments had unfolded is a luxury. Thank you for documenting their stories CNA Insider! These stories must be documented for the future, to teach about the atrocities of war and why some people still can’t forgive Japan and what their country has done to us.
Listening to the Indian lady speak fluent Cantonese is truly remarkable.
Mixed with hokkien!
she was Chindian, and raised by her Chinese mom after her Indian father died... not a surprise if she have more connection to chinese language and culture...
I agree, many of that generation were multi lingual very much unlike present generation, an indicator of how divided we are and unaware of each others culture.
Aunty Rose (her nickname) from Dover road. There are a couple of other videos that featured her
@@wongxinhao1996 oh, looks like she is pretty popular then...
Awesome doc by CNA Insider and The Moving Visuals Co!
Greatly appreciate this because I've always been interested in the stories that our seniors share, especially during the pre-war period. There needs to be a systematic database with all of their stories and experiences recorded, so that our history not as a nation, but rather as a people, will be preserved.
A nation is nothing without its people. History often glorifies powers, principalities and men of eminence, but the people are the core of Singapore's history.
Thank you CNA for this and our seniors for sharing. It leaves me emotional and helps me put my parents and grandparents, families lives in context. As a fourth generation Singaporean we don't often talk about our history, and the traumas in our legacy. To understand ourselves is to understand our past, so thank you for documenting it.
These real stories told by real people brought tears to our eyes. It is amazing that they live to tell their stories.
Suddenly, my eyes are wet to this episode. My late grandma, my 83 yo mom are one of them. How horrible the war scenes were. They experienced war, being a refugee. Mom remains healthy and strong until today. Her story always be a sad as well as interesting story. Her past has given her the resilient mentality as well as traumas in her future. We learn much from her.
Amazingly done! Very insightful to the current generation. Thank you!
1942 - Japanese invaded Singapore. Sook Ching Massacre - 70,000 in Singapore killed by the Japanese. David Marshall became Prisoner of War, nearly died in the Hokkaido coal mine. Lim Bo Seng set up Force 136 to fight the Japanese, and sacrificed himself in prison. Adnan Saidi died defending Singapore. William Goode taken prisoner by the Japanese and sent to work in Siam on the Burma Railway from 1943 to 1945.
Ok
Thanks for all the contribution and hardship that our previous generation goes through. Without you guys, Singapore wont be what she is today.
Good documentary by CNA. I was smiling when the old aunties and uncles were describing life during the 1930s. Noodle was 1 cent and with egg, it was 2 cents. When it came to my time in 1960s, it was 10 cents for noodle, 5 cents for drinks and 5 cents to take bus. Back then, you talk to real people (unlike now with "fake" social media friends). We played with marbles and climbed trees. Life was so simple and people were happier than they are now. Strange .... with less, we were happier and contented. We ate chicken twice a year. Crab was once a year. Most of my meals consisted of porridge with simple condiments. Those were the days....
Being curious over what really happened in the past esp the 1930 to the ww2 , something that sometimes books don’t tell you about, my late grandmother does tell me some details but not all, but thanks for this wonderful documentary once again, I learnt from our seniors what happened in the past… an insightful perspective of how they were treated and I’m thankful for what I have now… 😊
00:03 showing old Singapore
01:07 Singapore's history as a bustling port city
02:11 central urban areas and rural kampongs in 1930s Singapore
03:19 Montage of pre-war Singapore life
04:29 recounts parents speaking Malay when they wanted privacy
05:16 Neighbors only knew those in their immediate area
06:44 schools and education in 1930s Singapore
08:17 cultural practices and traditions
09:51 Food and produce markets shown
11:12 Fishermen and fishing practices featured
12:29 Montage of city scenes from 1930s Singapore
14:04 Childhood days ended with Japanese occupation
15:08 Japanese took over everything, residents became refugees
15:56 Details of attending British school before war
17:02 School became army barracks when British army took over
18:34 Japanese occupation montage
19:39 Bomb dropped on doorstep of interviewee's home
20:44 Saw bodies at the morgue after fighting ended
22:15 Announcement of British surrender of Singapore
23:33 Food shortages and malnutrition during occupation
25:27 Japanese took girls by force for comfort women
26:40 Sex slaves recalled as horrible experience
27:51 Determined not to live under Japanese regime
29:00 Interviewee recounts annual Wayang show on street
30:20 Movies were rare entertainment before war
31:15 Japaneses showed propaganda film after taking over
32:25 Forced to bow to Tokyo to honor the Emperor
33:36 Had to sing Japanese anthem at ceremonies
34:47 Flag raising ceremonies held on national day
35:50 Started making and selling food items to earn money
36:57 Some Japanese guards missed their own children
38:02 Heard about bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
39:06 Emaciated prisoners of war discovered after surrender
40:18 Went to see British accept Japanese surrender
41:23 Initial euphoria faded as British struggled themselves
42:39 Merdeka proclamations changed little for people
43:44 Got bullied but had to earn a living under British
44:49 Saw that the British empire could be defeated
45:55 Poor conditions led to diseases after war
This is a wonderful documentary. The atrocities of the Japanese and traumas from our past must never be forgotten. These first person accounts are slowly getting rarer as there are less lived experiences. These should all be archived and our children should learn about how we came to be where we are now.
What a gem. Thank you for the stories of our grand parents!
I'm part of Singaporean history .
Pulau Belakang Mati Pulau Hantu Pulau Seraya Pulau Bukom Pulau Kusyu etc .
Almost all the traditional panggung wayang are gone and also the primary school .
Now the view has totally changed .
Everything changed .
Cari buah or mandi laut or main guli are gone now .
Jubilee Rd and some kampung village around East Coast Rd is my playground . Pasir Panjang area laa .
No more Pokok Kelapa No more bushes to play police and thieves .
Well taken documentary..very insightful, especially for the youngsters. My respects n well wishes to the elders whom shared their experiences. God bless!
Thank you. Really appreciate this amazing documentary.
A great documentary... so well done! Thank you.
Till today, Japan as a nation has NOT admitted or shown remorse for the hideous war crimes committed by their troops during WWII
This documentary needs more views. Especially the part on WWII.
Hearing these stories makes me think about my grandparents during the war. They all died when we were still kids so they never got to tell their stories.
I like the documentary. It is so informative.
Suka sekali mendengar cerita mereka. Amazing memories. Cerita mereka tentang Jepang mengambil gadis-gadis, sama dengan nenek saya bercerita. Nenek saya menyamar jadi lelaki agar tidak dibawa mereka. Menenangkan.
a wonderful show many thanks. should have more of these shows for the new generation to see and learn about the past.
Eye opening video , comes from real people and the videos ,heart wrenching .kudos
I really hope someone can capture all their war stories.. The pioneers went through a dark period in Singapore and all these stories are very important to ensure the future gens know where we come from.
Have to capture them before they all go to heavens.
Thank you to everyone involved in this project!
These are real life stories.
Great episode. Such stories need to be constantly told to our younger generations...
A big thank you to these pioneers that go through lots of hardship that help pave Singapore as where we are today.
Hope our younger generations don't take things for granted and say stuff like ignore or who cares about these uneducated old folks. Many younger generations do not understand that these folks go through ww2 thus not all of them are fortunate enough to have education and good resources post war.
My grandpa came to Singapore in 1911 and stayed in Tanjung Pagar. My father moved to Klang to serve British Army and we stayed in Malacca till today. I can remember my grandparents used to tell us about the Japanese occupation and they used to eat tapioca to survive.
I'm malaysian always visited our relatives in Singapore village back in the 70s and 80s. Now no more village only concrete buildings.
The story from my late grand ma, My grand uncle immigrated to Singapore and never come back, I don’t know which year at that time they are not good with records. But around the 60, he sent letters home with picture of wife and 3 kids. Anyway we are all happy that life turn out well for him. For sure he deceased by now but everytime I see Javanese Singaporean I always see them as my relatives.
Bahasa Melayu Cikgu Suratman Markasan amat baik sekali. Jelas, kemas dan tepat. Saya suka mendengarnya. Sepertinya mendengar golongan terpelajar bertutur.
Itu bahasa Melayu atau bahasa Indonesia ya, saya bingung, karena dari segi perkataan itu banyak bahasa Indonesia dalam aksennya, tapi ada kata-kata, walaupun tidak banyak. Saya tidak paham, apa maksudnya. Apakah beliau dari Malaysia atau Indonesia atau ditengah-tengah 😂😂😂
@obbysaputra his parents were javanese
Markasan tu makasar ker?sulawesi?kalau belah2 riau tu banyak orang bugis..
Yang dituturkan pak Suratman itu bahasa Melayu Singapura-Bintan-Batam, karena pak Suratman punya latarbelakang Jawa, beliau menyisipkan beberapa kosakata Jawa sehingga mungkin agak mirip dengan bahasa Indonesia. Cara beliau berbicara juga seperti logat Jawa pada umumnya dimana huruf "r" diberikan penekanan (trilled "r") dan bukan (alveolar "r") yang umum dituturkan orang Melayu semenanjung karena dipengaruhi fonologi Inggris.
Watching this makes me think more of late father, who was born in Singapore in1929. He also studied there. His father my grandfather was an immigrant from anhui, China, so was my Ahma. Her feet were bounded.
Very interesting and enriching. I wish all the ah peks and ah mahs long lives & good health
…. The country and people I admire. Thank you for the stories ❤ Mabuhay!!!
The way Mr. Suratman speaks reminds me of the Old Indonesian Literature style.. Beautiful the way he speaks
LOOK AT SINGAPORE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!! BIG THINGS FROM 'SMALL THINGS' GROW. ..Brilliant production!!!
Mbah Suratman spoke a really beautiful Malay with Javanese strong “R” sound (like standard Indonesian speakers) but using some Malay words that Indonesian does not use anymore. (Btw i’m indonesian who studied in singapore for 3 years, speak fluent bahasa, english and conversational chinese)
Itu bahasa Melayu atau bahasa Indonesia ya, saya bingung, karena dari segi perkataan itu banyak bahasa Indonesia dalam aksennya, tapi ada kata-kata, walaupun tidak banyak. Saya tidak paham, apa maksudnya. Apakah beliau dari Malaysia atau Indonesia atau ditengah-tengah 😂😂😂
@@obbysaputra rasanya tu memang loghat melayu singapura...dia memang ada campuran sikit mcm bahasa melayu klasik + bahasa indonesia. =)
@@obbysaputrabapaknya menjelaskan di video kalau beliau berasal dari keturunan Jawa (menit 2:32)
@@obbysaputra
Beliau menggunakan bahasa Singapura
@@ewansariasmara8215 bukannya bahasa Singapura adalah bahasa Melayu. Yang saya tau bahasa Melayu dan bahasa Indonesia. Baik Brunei, Singapura dll itu bahasanya merujuk bahasa Melayu kecuali Bahasa Indonesia, apakah informasi salah?
the siren is traumatizing, sends a shiver down your spine
Edwin Thumboo wrote a lot of poems in the 60s..our school textbooks has got his name on it
Wah,very very good documentary on our own history. Just feel abit proud and sad at the same time that we used to be language rich country, we could communicate with almost any nationality without barrier whereas kids nowadays even have problem speaking chinese in sg. A very good documentary for the young generation.
Nah man, it is a good tradeoff. In the old days we were kicked around by other countries at whim. Today, countries will still try to kick us but we are no longer as lightweight as we used to be.
@@goldenfishes3695 I think what stands out to me are the lives of children in those days as compared to today. I recognize the toys and play they were engaged in. And the totally different kind of laughter and fun they enjoyed. I had that, albeit for a shorter while than my father who born in 1930.
That time bazaar malay was lingua franca in Singapore.
0:57: 🎶 A young boy's experience as a refugee during the Japanese conquest of Singapore.
16:56: 😢 A woman shares her experiences during the Japanese Occupation in Singapore, including the British army taking over her school, the horrors of war, and the lack of entertainment.
33:18: 🎶 The narrator reflects on their experiences in Manchuria, selling curry puffs, and the changing dynamics during and after the Japanese surrender.
41:28: 🌍 The British suffered during the war and Singaporeans had to rely on themselves for survival.
Recap by Tammy AI
CNA good job. Releasing singapore history nowadays including the reserve series. Keeps our history documented so that we never forget.
My late grandfather used
to remember the Japanese song that he had to sing in school. I remember he would tell me and sang it to me and my cousins... My grandmother didn't went to school she was around 5 years old when the Japanese invaded, she said she had to hide under the stairwell/ bomb shelter with her mother and siblings...
What a beautiful memories... ❤
Thank you to our pioneer generation as well as our forefathers. We must learn never to trust a foreign country to assist us. We must defend ourselves.
Who was the foreign government that pledge to defend Singapore before WW2 ?
@@gha9543 it was a British Colony, aboundend by the British who also left Australians to defend it and be captured. There is an impliede expectation as a colony, that they would defend the colony of course.
And don't trust the Japanese. And don't trust other Asians, too.
What happened to original ppl of Singapore? The intro mentioned ppl coming into the country but no mentioned of existing one. Got erased?
So much cruelty and pain!! Yet, NOTHING has changed..we still are killing each other😢😢😢
Good job recording this, we don't record these people any minute going already. The Japanese come take the egg, ya, my grandmother stay Hougang say they come your farm take your vegetable.
My wife was born in malaysian Singapore 🇸🇬 in 1963 - only 18 years after the end of WWII.
Her grandmother was an ethnic Chinese who suffered at the hands of the Japanese.
My mother-in-law would often refer to the "white devil" when describing certain events of her youth.
I am honoured to have had the privilege of being married on the grounds of Fort Canning in 1995.
My daughters are what we call "heinz 57" here in Canada 🇨🇦 ❤.
Blessings to all who strive to make S'pore a better place!
Sad story 😔
the old days neighbour really all is kawan kawan even in the 70s..miss those days..young tofu generation should watch this XD
This documentary truly shows how well kampung spirits truly existed back then and unfortunately now, it has extinct
Many of these elderly people are currently working as cleaners in food centres or as security guards. How can we help them retire gracefully?
Both Japanese soldiers and refugees were suffering then, most of the soldiers were forced to into the war. I wish for world peace.
Chinese and indian not originated from south east asia or singapore or malaysia they were brought here by british
bro, you need to read more history. what is peranakan, it started all the way back in 14th century...
@@johnlim9540 no such thing as peranakan anymore the true peranakan speak malay and look quite malay. Now those ppl who claim peranakan all just chnese. They look chnese and speak chnese. Just bcos they wear kebaya doesnt mean they not chnese lol
@@user-tg9ri8lu4v what i'm trying to say is majority of them are not brought by british... Not trying to discuss on their identity.
@@johnlim9540 majority of them are borught by british this is fact. No such thing as chnese civilisation here in south east asia
True brother.Indian/Chinese were not bumiputera of Singapore.
the indian lady speaking cantonese is amazing.
Very proper documentaries with facts and eye witness. Hopefully a proper history on WW2 can be educated in Japanese schools...
Because of their simple lifestyle, the older generation of people are more creative and could think our of the box better.
Today, we think within the small box held on our palms! 😐
Singaporean has PAP, the late Mr LKY and Meneer Albertus Winsemius to thank for 😊.
Sg tell story to the younger generations. Ok👍✌️🙏
you can tell yours 60 years later.
❤❤❤❤❤
I wish I could learn languages like teochew and hokkien 👍
The Chinese ladies' accents in their dialects are so much better than the current population that has everything mixed together
Dari pulau mana uncle datang..??
The more I watch this the more I feel that modern life is unsustainable. Vocational schools and apprenticeships allowing those good with their hands or have a unique skillset after completing primary education should be the way to go
Kakek Suratman ternyata keturunan Jawa,Pantas saja dia fasih berbahasa Indonesia
That’s why the mango tree was so big and fruitfull, people daily dump fertilizer near it 😂
😢
Fate in our hands, do the right thing, don't resolve later in life...🎉❤
Malay Pakcik Malays is very2 good, not mixed with English, unlike today people.
26 languages mean some speaking bugis ,mandailing,jawa,orang laut language,minang etc.
👍👍👍👍👍
Suratman in javanese mean people with charm and charismatic
that indocantonese accent is amazing
My father and his cousins escaped being massacred by the Japanese by talking their way out … they were rounded up by them in a school field compound… a nightmare of a time in Singapore!😢
Still Japanese government refuses to apologise for the crimes they made.
A very good documentary of life in Singapore in the 1930s-40s and the harrowing accounts of the Japanese Occupation. The problem is how many of our kids and youngsters are interested in this ? Most of them are only into videogames, cellphones, K-pop, fashion, making money, etc. with no regard for life's history. Like pilot Tan said 'The sun never sets in the British Empire' but which came to an end with one devil kicking out the other Asian devil. A famous quote - 'When you forget your history, you repeat the past mistakes'. From Hitler to Stalin, Yamashita to Tojo, Mao to Putin, these evil men will pay a terrible price for their war crimes and crimes against humanity on Judgement Day which is very near now ! As a Malaysian, Singapore is hurtling ahead with materialism while obliterating most of its history, colonial buildings, old traditions, alleyways, etc. which is a big mistake in the name of progress. An example, the infamous Bugis Street is no more but shadow of itself with lanes of flea markets selling China products and knick knacks. Two rows of artificial 'colonial facade' terraces built there doesn't reflect nostalgia !
This video is what Malaysia should supposed to highlight the previous generations that came from different parts of the world to opened up the forested land and developed them into towns and cities that we have today.. Many of our younger generations don't even know the basic history of malaya and the Borneo States then... O
Wake up Malaysians... ❤❤❤❤😊😊😊
The Malay-dominant Malaysian Governments still doesn't recognise the Chinese, Indians and other non-indigenous races as real citizens. We are regarded as Kaum Pendatang.
@@chanboonyee6788 mmg la kaum pendatang..sebab cakap bahasa pun tak reti..puii..
@@chanboonyee6788u never been in malaysia?
The stories and experiences of the older generation must be told & shared. Also, their knowledge. It will be a waste if the knowledge & skills of the Cantonese granny who used to follow her Uncle to pick herbs were not taught to the next generation.
Life was tough in Asia then but people were sturdier, focusing on survival not suicide
JANGAN INGAT YANG DULU GARA ITU TAK AKAN KEMBALI LAGI......TAK AKAN KEMBALI........
We have a lot to learn from this elderly generation and true cultural harmony…unlike we have now…treacherous and betrayal
Thanks to the Malay regiment who defended Singapore to their last breath.
We may forgive the Japanese heinous WWII crimes against humanity but unlikely to forget!
Not a singapore today....
The javanese man looks so young in his age
And they all sound healthy
thenk you for this wonderful documentary the world is getting harsh in vietnam columbia and mexico the us was better off in the roosevelt new deal post era california is the vision of the western futurethe road ahead is very dismal '''
Can have Chinese subs?
😅70 years from now.. what can I tell my younger ones? 😂 oh dear… 😂
43.35: the old man said "" same job different salary"" its the same that is happenning now in a place call mY hometown. The race who think they own businesses in My hometown paid more salary to them race but to others they paid cheaper salary. bUt we believe in God, one day God will help us..one day.
Watching this angers me even further that the general public of Japan still sees themselves as the victim of the atomic bomb in WWII.
The students in Japan don’t even learn about WWII. Most of them don’t even know that Japan were the aggressors
It'll be interesting to know contemporary Japanese citizens reaction to the brutality committed by their ancestors.
Itu bahasa Melayu atau bahasa Indonesia ya, saya bingung, karena dari segi perkataan itu banyak bahasa Indonesia dalam aksennya, tapi ada kata-kata, walaupun tidak banyak. Saya tidak paham, apa maksudnya. Apakah beliau dari Malaysia atau Indonesia atau ditengah-tengah 😂😂😂
Bahasa Indonesia pun diambil dari Bahasa Melayu.
Beliau mengatakan orang tua nya ada keturunan Jawa .jadi ada campur GT bahasa Melayu nya .
@@m.farizz iya, tapi bahasa Indonesia berbeda dengan bahasa Melayu. Ok jangan dijelaskan. Pengecualian buat bahasa Melayu Brunei, Singapore, itu satu kesatuan bahasa Melayu. Kalau bahasa Indonesia sudah berdiri sendiri. Paham ya sampai disini
Kamu mesti ingat, masa zaman itu, ada banyak orang Melayu yang datang dari Aceh, yah tah cakap bahasa Melayu pakcik ini macam bahasa indon juga. Inilah satu sejarah yang kami mesti tahu dan faham juga.
@@obbysaputraakar berdirinya bhasa indon tu bermula darj bhasa mlyu ...bahasa melayu tu bahasa penyatuan ..dengar saja la cerita tu xpyah sibuk pasal bahasa ..tmbul perdebatan yg xbrakhir ..sebaiknya kamu perlu risau bahasa jawa yang sudah mahu punah ...dkt malaysia kturunan dia saja ada bahasanya sudah pupus ..untuk pengetahuan kamu lah
Japan’s current and future generations must continue to apologize for the gruesome war crimes and atrocities they have created during the Imperial Japanese ruling!!!
The Japanese have a lot of say about how they go to where they are today, huh.
Never ever forget or forgive what the Japanese imperial army did!
Nor the British colonizing.
Memories . Those were the days.
Now they are declaring genocide against humanity .
731 then, now we are having 824 for the rest of humanity !
The Japanese occupation was truly a terrible period!
Hey Jeff , do you want to be my father?