Like most of the residents at the Portuguese Settlement in Ujong Pasir here, De Costa, 59, started putting up his decorations weeks before the Yuletide season. And despite the extravagance of the lights and decorations, he says more are needed.
This year, he chose blue lights in eager anticipation of his grandson’s birth; however, to everyone’s surprise, the radiant holiday glow will now welcome his granddaughter for her very first Christmas instead.
“We are putting up so many lights and decorations this year, especially for my granddaughter who is celebrating her first Christmas.”
Christmas unity
The decorations are a long-standing tradition that sees the village transformed into a kaleidoscope of colours every Christmas season.
Darius Augusto Danker, 33, fondly describes the joy of setting up the decorations.
In typical Malaysian fashion, aunties and uncles join in, giving their two cents on aesthetic decisions and safety during the decoration process and adding to the sense of festivity and community.
Housewife Dorothy Santa Maria finds solace in the preparation itself, drawing her dispersed family together after the loss of her husband.
The 78-year-old’s son and son-in-law will journey from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, bringing along their multiracial families who unite under one house despite their cultural differences.
“I have seven great-grandchildren. The eldest is Malay. He comes and because we serve halal food, we all cook and eat together,” she said.
Preserving tradition
Cultural activist Martin Theseira holds the cultural heritage of the settlement dearly, actively promoting the preservation of the villagers’ traditions, from playing the keroncong to speaking their unique creole Kristang.
The growing apathy the younger generation has for decorating their homes concerns him, as his children lack the same fervour and enthusiasm he had in his youth.
“It’s serious business (for us) because celebrating Christmas this way is part and parcel of our cultural identity. Hopefully, we can still maintain the same spirit of Christmas our forefathers taught us.”
Darius also encourages the youth to carry on the tradition in the same spirit as their forefathers.
“I hope and wish that one day, the younger generation (can continue the tradition). I’m not saying that we don’t have the spirit. It’s there. It only needs a spark to get it started and then everything will be very beautiful.”
Religious roots
And amid the dazzling displays, the residents acknowledge the religious roots of the season. For resident Carol Danker, the decorations are an homage to the birth of Jesus Christ.
“If it wasn’t for his birthday, I don’t think we could do all (the festivities). For me, Jesus Christ is the reason for this season.
“God tells us to decorate our hearts with love, peace, joy, forgiveness, and compassion. Especially when there’s so much fighting going on, I pray that God will bring peace and joy into everybody’s lives.”