Kusu Island
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (July 2022) |
 | This article is written like a travel guide. (August 2011) |
Native name: Pulau Tembakul 龟屿 குசு தீவு | |
|---|---|
 Aerial perspective of Kusu Island, Singapore. Shot in 2016. | |
 Location of Kusu Island within Singapore | |
  Kusu Island | |
| Etymology | Tortoise island |
| Geography | |
| Location | Southeast Asia |
| Coordinates | 1°13′22″N 103°51′40″E / 1.22278°N 103.86111°E |
| Archipelago | Malay Archipelago |
| Area | 0.085 km2 (0.033 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
| Region | Central Region |
| Planning Area | Southern Islands |
| Demographics | |
| Population | not applicable (not allowed to live there) (2020)[1] |
| Additional information | |
| Official website | Official website |
| Transport Marina South Pier | |
Kusu Island is one of the Southern Islands in Singapore, located about 5.6 kilometres (3.5 miles) to the south of the main island of Singapore and below the Singapore Straits. "Kusu" means "Tortoise Island" or "Turtle Island" in Hokkien; the island is also known as Peak Island or Pulau Tembakul in Malay.
During the lunar ninth month of every year, the Kusu Island pilgrimage attracts thousands of devotees who visit and worship at the Da Bo Gong (Tua Pek Kong) Temple. Besides the Chinese temple, the island is also home to three Malay shrines (Keramat).
From two outcrops on a reef, the island was enlarged and transformed into an island of 85,000 square metres (914,932 sq ft).
Mythology
[edit]The legend behind the island says that a magical tortoise turned itself into an island to save two shipwrecked sailors, one a Malay and the other a Chinese.
Facilities
[edit]At the top of the rugged hillock on Kusu Island stood three keramats (or sacred shrines of Malay holy figures) to commemorate a pious man (Syed Abdul Rahman), his mother (Nenek Ghalib) and his sister (Puteri Fatimah), all of whom once lived in the 19th century. Many devotees climbed the 152 steps leading up to the keramats to pray for wealth, good marriage, good health and harmony. The shrines were also popular with childless couples who would pray for children. On April 17, 2022, the keramats were badly damaged in a fire.[2]
Also located on Kusu island is the popular Chinese temple dedicated to both Dà Bó Gōng (大伯公), or Tua Pek Kong (Grand Uncle), also known as Fú Dé Zhèng Shén (福德正神) and Ná Dū Gōng (Dato Keramat or "拿督公"). Built in 1923 by a wealthy businessman, the temple houses two main Chinese Deities, Da Bo Gong and Guān Yīn ("观音", or Goddess of Mercy). The former is highly regarded as having the power to confer prosperity, cure diseases, calm the sea and avert danger, while Guan Yin is known as the "Bestower of Sons".
It is popular for its lagoons, pristine beaches and general tranquil settings. Visits are often made by occasional ferry trips from the nearby Marina South Pier (formerly from Clifford Pier) to see the famous wishing well and the Tortoise Sanctuary. A stand-alone open-air hawker centre is located in the middle of the island but it is only open and running during certain periods of the year, such as during festivals or pilgrimages to the keramats or the temple. No overnight stays are permitted on the island.
References
[edit]- ^ "Southern Group (Subzone, Singapore) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location". City Population (with data from the Singapore Department of Statistics). Retrieved 1 January 2020.
- ^ "Fire breaks out on Kusu Island". CNA. Retrieved 2022-04-19.
- Chia, Jack Meng-Tat. "Managing The Tortoise Island: Tua Pek Kong Temple, Pilgrimage, and Social Change in Pulau Kusu, 1965-2007 Archived 2013-02-07 at the Wayback Machine." New Zealand Journal of Asian Studies 11, 2 (December 2009): 72-95.
- Lu, Caixia. "The Kusu Pilgrimage: An Enduring Myth." International Institute for Asian Studies Newsletter 59 (Spring 2012): 50-51.
News articles
[edit]- "Keeping alive Kusu Island pilgrimage". The Straits Times (online). 2017-11-09. Retrieved 2022-07-10.
- "Limit of 500 visitors a day during Kusu Island's annual pilgrimage season amid Covid-19". The Straits Times (online). 2021-09-12. Retrieved 2022-07-10.
- "Malay shrines in Kusu Island blaze were built for pious family". The Straits Times (online). 2022-04-18. Retrieved 2022-07-10.
External links
[edit]
- Pilgrimage to Kusu Island - INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE
- Satellite image of Peak Island - Google Maps
- Info for visitors on wildsingapore
- Kusu Island Coral Reef Survey Data on Coral Reefs of Singapore