Singapore- Haji Lane is a narrow street in Kampong Glam housing rows of boutiques. Each of the boutiques is unique and has a wide array of fashionable wear and products. Creations made by local Singaporean designers can be bought at some of these shops.
Haji Lane used to be an abandoned street of shop houses, which served as boarding houses for Muslim families on their pilgrimage. This place has since undergone tremendous transformation to become the youthful and vibrant scene it is today.
Haji Lane gets crowded on the weekends. It is not only popular among locals; it is also a must-go for tourists.
In our interviews, we talked to people at Haji Lane about what they liked about this hidden gem. We interviewed a diverse group of people on the street- youngsters, shop owners and foreigners. It sheds light on the attractiveness of Haji Lane and why people are drawn here.
Hear what people have to say about Haji Lane in the video:
Tuesday, 20 May 2014
Exploring Haji Lane by Viki
All set to uncover the story of its past and reason for its recent popularity, Jue Ying, Victoria and I made our way down to Haji Lane.
We were surprised to see this quirky place in Singapore.
We went to many shops, trying to find shop owners who have been in Haji Lane before it was transformed.
Shop owners were either unwilling to be interviewed or were not in the shops. We decided to interview locals and visitors around first.
We met nice visitors at a café called Cad Café. After interviewing them, we understood why Haji Lane has become a must-go spot for tourists.
We interviewed the staff of Cad Café. They told us more that we needed to know.
We then walked around to find a young local Haji Lane enthusiast. We managed to find a young teen to share his opinions.
Once we were done, we realized that we still had not uncovered the story we were seeking. We almost gave up when we spotted a textile shop with a friendly uncle. He told us everything that we wanted to know about Haji Lane.
It was indeed a really fruitful and productive day!
The History Of Haji Lane by Jue Ying
Haji Lane is an inconspicuous lane, lined with first-generation shop houses only several metres wide located in Kampong Glam.
In nineteen century, Kampong glam served as boarding houses for poor Malay families and provided pilgrims a roof over their head. Haji Lane was named with its reference to Islam. The name ‘haji’ was an indication of the return of pilgrims who stayed at Haji Lane’s shophouses from their annual pilgrimage to Mecca (the hajj).It was known as the Muslim Quarter due to the strong presence of Muslim community.
Photo source: "Kampong Glam - Spirit of a Community"
Later, the British Empire took over and most Malay families were displaced. Arabs, Chinese, and Indians families started settling in Kampong Glam. However, Kampong Glam remained a place where many will visit to purchase Arab-Muslim traditional foodstuff and merchandise.
Over the second half of the 20th century, Haji Lane was transformed from a depressing row of shop houses mostly used as warehouse space to a funky trendy street filled with nail parlours, cafes, individualistic boutiques and graffiti-covered walls.
Today, Haji Lane has become a place of interest which is often patronised by locals and foreign visitors.
Sources:
History Of Kampong Glam
Arab Street-Haji Lane
Your Singapore-Haji Lane
In nineteen century, Kampong glam served as boarding houses for poor Malay families and provided pilgrims a roof over their head. Haji Lane was named with its reference to Islam. The name ‘haji’ was an indication of the return of pilgrims who stayed at Haji Lane’s shophouses from their annual pilgrimage to Mecca (the hajj).It was known as the Muslim Quarter due to the strong presence of Muslim community.
Later, the British Empire took over and most Malay families were displaced. Arabs, Chinese, and Indians families started settling in Kampong Glam. However, Kampong Glam remained a place where many will visit to purchase Arab-Muslim traditional foodstuff and merchandise.
Over the second half of the 20th century, Haji Lane was transformed from a depressing row of shop houses mostly used as warehouse space to a funky trendy street filled with nail parlours, cafes, individualistic boutiques and graffiti-covered walls.
Today, Haji Lane has become a place of interest which is often patronised by locals and foreign visitors.
Sources:
History Of Kampong Glam
Arab Street-Haji Lane
Your Singapore-Haji Lane
Monday, 19 May 2014
More on Haji Lane
SPH Razor interviewed shop owners and visitors about Haji Lane losing it's ghetto vibe after time. True or False?
Great Recommendation on boutiques and food locations around Haji Lane and Arab Street.
Visit this links to find out more about Haji Lane!
Shopping Guide-Haji Lane
Food Guide-Haji Lane
Haji Lane's best shops
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