Singapore

Singapore is a Southeast Asian island country south of the Malay peninsula of Malaysia and north of Indonesia. Historically a commercial hub for Malays, South Asian, Chinese, and later British merchants, Singapore reflects a long tradition of transnational economic, political, and especially religious activities. One clear example of its diversity is in its name. The name Singapore was inherited from the indigenous Malay Singapura (“City of the Lion”) and is derived from the Sanskrit simhapura, which was a town in the Indian epic the Mahābhārata. Singapore continues to promote its Malay heritage as well as its historically diverse immigration. This section will cover briefly the historical development of Singapore's nation-state and the religious practices of Singapore's dominant ethnic groups.

The indigenous people of Singapore are the ...