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Kusu Island

Coordinates:1°13′22″N103°51′40″E/ 1.22278°N 103.86111°E/1.22278; 103.86111
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Peak Island" redirects here. For the island in Canada's Nunavut territory, seePeak Island (Nunavut).
Kusu Island
Native name:
Pulau Tembakul
Quy đảo
குசு தீவு
Aerial perspective of Kusu Island, Singapore. Shot in 2016.
Location of Kusu Island within Singapore
Kusu Island is located in Singapore
Kusu Island
Kusu Island
EtymologyTortoise island
Geography
LocationSoutheast Asia
Coordinates1°13′22″N103°51′40″E/ 1.22278°N 103.86111°E/1.22278; 103.86111
ArchipelagoMalay Archipelago
Area0.085 km2(0.033 sq mi)
Administration
RegionCentral Region
Planning AreaSouthern Islands
Demographics
Populationnot applicable (not allowed to live there) (2020)[1]
Additional information
Official websiteOfficial website
TransportMarina South Pier

Kusu Islandis one of theSouthern IslandsinSingapore,located about 5.6 kilometres (3.5 miles) to the south of themain island of Singaporeand below theSingapore Straits."Kusu" means "TortoiseIsland "or"TurtleIsland "inHokkien;the island is also known asPeak IslandorPulau TembakulinMalay.

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 areef,the island was enlarged and transformed into an island of 85,000 square metres (914,932 sq ft).

Mythology

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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

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At the top of the rugged hillock on Kusu Island stood threekeramats(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 popularChinese templededicated to both Dà Bó Gōng ( đại bá công ), orTua Pek Kong(Grand Uncle), also known asFú Dé Zhèng Shén( Phúc Đức chính thần ) andNá Dū Gōng(Dato Keramat or "Lấy đốc công" ). Built in 1923 by a wealthy businessman, the temple houses two mainChinese Deities,Da Bo Gong andGuān Yīn( "Quan Âm", 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".

Da Bogong Temple on Kusu Island.
Marble Tortoise statues on Kusu Island.

It is popular for itslagoons,pristine beaches and general tranquil settings. Visits are often made by occasional ferry trips from the nearbyMarina South Pier(formerly fromClifford Pier) to see the famouswishing welland 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

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  1. ^"Southern Group (Subzone, Singapore) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location".City Population (with data from the Singapore Department of Statistics).Retrieved1 January2020.
  2. ^"Fire breaks out on Kusu Island".CNA.Retrieved2022-04-19.

News articles

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Wikimedia Commons has media related toKusu Island.
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