Biography
Sarafian Salleh
Sarafian Salleh is a heritage activist engaged in reviving Bugis traditions. He is a passionate researcher of local history and is the president of the Bugis Malay Society Singapore. An engineering consultant by profession, his interest in studying the history of the Malay World began when he was a teen in 1985.
His passion intensified when he started constructing his family tree and wanted to learn more about his Bugis ancestors. In 2008, he started a social media group called Bugis Temasek which has attracted a large following of those who wish to make Bugis culture relevant to Singapore’s national identity. His extensive research and knowledge about the Bugis community in Singapore has led to him being honorifically called Tuah Bugis on social media.
With his support, in 2017, the Malay Heritage Centre hosted an exhibition of Bugis culture, Sirri Na Pesse, which loosely translates to ‘Honour and Pride’ in the Bugis language. It ran for eight months and featured the history and development of the Malay-Bugis community in Singapore since the 18th century.
Over the last two decades, Sarafian has been photographing and documenting various Malay holy sites and cemeteries throughout Singapore and has accumulated a large body of historical material about these sites. In 2013, he began organising heritage walks as a means of promoting awareness and appreciation of Singapore history. Sarafian continues to conduct public talks and heritage walks for schools, universities, societies and government organisations. He is a licensed STB tour guide, a member of the Institute of Engineers Singapore and a Life member of the Genealogy Society Singapore. He has run his own engineering consulting firm, Diagnoveritas Pte Ltd, for the last 18 years.
Books by Sarafian Salleh
This book chronicles the history of one of Singapore’s smaller ethnic groups, the Bugis, over several centuries. Set sail on an exciting journey with the author as he unravels the history of a proud, seafaring community while on a quest to discover his roots.
He delves deep into the colourful maritime heritage of the Bugis, reveals the extent of their trading prowess as far as Madagascar and Australia and tells the tale of their enduring cultural legacy from ancestral roots in South Sulawesi to present-day cosmopolitan Singapore.
Through their strategic mastery of maritime routes, the Bugis played an instrumental role in shaping Singapore’s early growth and prosperity. From supplying food and building materials to navigating around the region to deliver goods, the book shows how the Bugis were a highly resourceful community that were instrumental in helping to build Singapore from the ground up.
Whether you are an avid history buff, a cultural explorer, or simply one who loves tales of adventure, this book promises a captivating story that will transport you through time to the world of the Bugis people whose history is intertwined with Singapore’s narrative as a port city.
Books by Sarafian Salleh
This book is a fascinating fabric of family histories of different ethnicities that have been intricately woven because these peoples from various parts of Asia and beyond chose Singapore as their new home many decades ago. Each with its own unique culture and practices, these families with their grit and courage separately yet together truly made Singapore one people, one nation, one home.
It is a book that aims to encourage the continuation of the fascinating stories in each family. Therefore they are yet unfinished stories and it is hoped that the new generations will continue the tales.
Add Comment