The Baweanese Culture of ''Merantau''

(Granddad Hj.Siddik with other Baweanese on board a vessel)

It is in the culture of the Baweanese to 'Merantau' which means travelling in search of opportunities, adventures and life experiences. Many Baweanese men of the past had travelled as far as Europe via vessels, working on board the ship. While the majority of them worked as sea-men, there were some who worked as cooks preparing meals for the ship-workers during the sea journey.

According to the Bawean Islanders, Baweanese men will not be viewed as adults if they had not set foot out of their homeland to travel, seeking opportunities abroad and experience the life outside Bawean Island. This culture of 'Merantau' gradually became a profession to many Baweanese men, bringing rewarding income to their family.

While the majority of them went back home to Bawean Island after years of travelling, there were many who decided to reside in the country they travelled to. Many of them settled in the Malay Peninsula and some settled as far as in Europe, Australia, America, Far East and many other places.

Today, most of the descendents of the Baweanese who settled in Singapore do not realize that their passion for travelling is inherited from their forefathers. It is one of the traits passed down by their ancestors.

(An Uncle who has a passion for travelling)

The early Singaporean Baweanese preferred to work as horse-trainers at the Singapore Turf Club because their job required them to travel to Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Ipoh, frequently. They were able to travel out of Singapore and to meet their relatives in Malaysia, while at the same time earning a living for their family. Apart from that, they were given free accommodation to stay during working overseas and in Singapore, a home to live in.

(A home at Singapore Turf Club in the 80s)

During the British colonization days, there were handful of them who worked as personal drivers for British families or companies that required them to drive across the causeway. They enjoyed working as drivers because not only that it provided them with income, they had transport to move around and able to meet their relatives living across the causeway.

(At Jabal Uhud during Ummrah 1997)

Today, the Baweanese culture of 'Merantau' is still alive within the descendents of the Bawean Islanders who are living abroad, outside the Island of Bawean. Especially for most Singaporean Baweanese, the spirit of 'Merantau' is generally kept alive either through tagging it along to their profession or simply through spending their time going for vacations during work and school holidays.

(A Holiday Trip to Australia in 1993)