Part 8/13:
The district’s history is not solely of enterprise and growth. Accounts like Muni Abdullah’s 1849 “Hikayat Abdullah” reveal the presence of slavery and human exploitation, with Bugis slave traders and their captives being part of the port’s human landscape. Slaves, especially young girls, were transported and auctioned under harsh conditions, some with little regard for their dignity. Trafficking, driven by seafarers and traders from the southern Sulawezi region, contributed to the multicultural yet complex history of the area. These stories serve as sobering reminders of the darker facets of Singapore’s past.