Schooling: RACIAL HARMONY DAY
Racial Harmony Day in Singapore
Racial Harmony Day is celebrated on 21 July every year. The event is to commemorate the 1964 Race Riots, which took place on 21 July 1964.
Singapore aims to inculcate and develop an understanding of the importance of Racial Harmony in students through National Education which was introduced in schools in 1997. Racial Harmony Day is a day for schools to reflect on and celebrate Singapore's success as a racially harmonious nation.
All schools have different and creative ways of celebrating Racial Harmony.
[All photographs below are taken by our team members.]
Celebrating Racial Harmony Day
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Traditional costumes
Students are encouraged to dress in their traditional costumes such as the Cheongsam and the Baju Kurung. Some even dress in the traditional Japanese Kimono. There will usually be a costume contest.
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Traditional delicacies
During their recess or break times, students can head to the school canteen to try out traditional snacks of different cultures, for example kebab, kacam puteh or dumplings.
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Traditional games
Kutih-kutih and zero point are played in school with a group of friends.
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Display and performance of traditional art forms
Traditional dances, display of ethnic musical instruments and skits are usually peformed in a concert in the school hall on Racial Harmony Day. Concert items are usually interactive, with students going onstage to have a go at dancing or playing instruments.
Traditional game
| Students playing congkak, a Malay traditional game. Through participation in the various games, students deepen their learning and develop a stronger sense of identity via their experiences. | Boys playing Chapteh, an Asian game played in many countries, where the aim is to keep a weighted shuttlecock in the air using various parts of the body except the hands. |
