Riwayat hidup: archiving microhistories of the pioneer generation of Singaporean Malays

Abstract

Riwayat Hidup, which translates to ‘Life Stories’ in Malay, takes a microhistorical approach to local history and proposes that smaller, more personal histories are just as worthy of being preserved alongside larger historical narratives. The project seeks to collect and archive the life stories of members of the Pioneer and Merdeka generation, with a focus on the Malay community. Through a web-based digital archive and a series of print publications, the project’s collection of oral history interviews, photographs and stories help to paint a more personal picture of Singapore’s past.

The aims of this project are to empower the older generation of the Malay community to reclaim their place as active agents in the history of Singapore by sharing their life stories to be preserved as primary sources of history. At the same time, the archive acts as a resource for the younger generations to learn about and connect with these lesser-known or marginalised histories of the country before they are gone. By creating more space for alternative histories, I hope to encourage Singaporeans to look beyond state-sanctioned narratives to learn more about what it means to be Singaporean.