12 LIVING IN SINGAPORE
Singapore American • April 2016
Down Memory Lane By Marc Servos
T
he rickshaw is an East Asian icon of a bygone era, as seen in many old photographs. Trishaws, derived from the rickshaw, are part of Singapore’s cultural heritage. Today, however, they are mostly tourist attractions. Several theories exist on the origins of the rickshaw dating from the mid-1800’s which include the likelihood of Japanese and even a few American inventors. Some say they evolved from the Chinese, two-seat sedan chair. Others believe an American missionary in Japan named Jonathan Gable (sources vary on the surname as also Goble or Scobie) built one to transport his invalid wife. The more accepted theory is that it was invented in Japan around 1869, after the ban on wheeled vehicles was lifted there in 1868. The word “rickshaw” originates from the Japanese word jinrikisha, which literally means “human-powered vehicle.” The rickshaw made its appearance in Singapore in 1880, in an era when ox-driven, two-wheeled bullock carts and horse-drawn gharries dominated Singapore’s roads. Soon, rickshaws offered many unskilled Chinese immigrants employment. However, the rickshaw puller worked long, hard hours. He made 60 cents a day (which didn’t increase until the 1920s). But the use of the rickshaw prevailed, driving the use of gharries into demise. The number of rickshaws increased in the early 20th century,
even when the automobile became more prevalent. In 1920, there were approximately 50,000 rickshaws in Singapore and that number doubled by 1930. During that period, the Rickshaw Association union was formed to protect the welfare of the rickshaw pullers. Tail lights were required by the early 1900s and rear reflectors mandatory in 1939. Trishaws first appeared in Singapore in 1914 and gradually took over the role or rickshaws. The initial batch, 15 “pedal rickshaws” (crudely-made chairs bolted to tricycle frames), didn’t last long on Singapore’s streets. An American company’s attempt to export 500 units to Singapore later that year was rejected by the British authorities, due to road safety considerations. Exactly when trishaws were reintroduced in Singapore remains unclear, but the use of them existed during the Japanese Occupation, as seen in war-time photographs. They prevailed after World War II, particularly after rickshaws were banned in 1947, and were built locally during this period. Dimensions of trishaws were regulated by the Municipal Commission in 1946 and again in 1948. Like the rickshaw pullers, the early trishaw peddlers were Chinese male immigrants, many being former rickshaw pullers. A number of regulations were imposed on the trishaw industry, including the licensing of peddlers. These contributed to the decline of the use of trishaws during the 1950’s, hastened after independence in 1965. Today, you can enjoy this icon of Singapore’s heritage by taking a trishaw ride. They are mainly found in the quaint, touristy areas such as Chinatown, Little India, Bugis and the Singapore River.
The Royal Air Force in the far east 1945–1946
A Chinese rickshaw puller posing with his rickshaw in Medan, 1936
Photos courtesy of: Blog to Express, Collectie Stichting Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen and Imperial War Museum.
Entrance of the Raffles Hotel on Beach Road, Singapore, 1932
Marc Servos is married to a Singaporean and has been living here for a number of years. The Indiana native is a real estate agent and a US Army veteran.
Jinrickshaw pullers with passengers , 1930