Clog makers made and sold clogs, which were the preferred form of footwear in early Singapore. Clog makers were usually Chinese although a few Malays mastered the art as well. Clog shops were commonly found in Chinatown, Sultan Street and Fraser Street.
History
Clog making was a skill familiar amongst Chinese immigrants. The clog makers initially catered to the Chinese community but soon clogs became popular with other communities. Clogs were considered sturdy and durable and could be worn on any surface. The heels and soles of the clogs were of the same height, connected by a bridge. The surface was flat so that the sole rested squarely on the base to maximise the wearer's walking capacity and comfort. Clogs were preferred by women when working on wet surfaces particularly when they were washing clothes, working in the kitchen or going to the bathroom. This was because clogs would not slip and they prevented seeping of water to the feet. Vendors in the market place also preferred them as the high wooden base kept their feet away from the wet and dirty floors in the markets. Earlier clogs were hand-painted with two coats of paint; red for women, green for men. Floral designs were painted on to the surface of ladies' and girls' clogs. Even children had miniature versions. Later however many colours came into use and the preferred colours were red, yellow and black lacquer .
Job scope
Clogs were made using a thick chopping board, a chopper, a paring knife for nails and a hammer. The clog maker had to first obtain wood from his suppliers in Malaysia or Indonesia. He then would cut the wood to make roughly cut soles. Next the raw ends would be nimbly shaved off with a sharp penknife to give it a smooth finish. The soles would be stacked up on the shelves in his shop. Later clog makers simply purchased the soles from wholesalers to save themselves the trouble of cutting up wood and shaping the soles. These wholesale merchants made these soles with machines and supplied them to clog makers in bulk. Some clog makers were travelling hawkers who carried the clogs around in baskets that were tied to two ends of a bamboo pole.
Once a buyer came to the clog seller, the clog seller would first select a pair of clogs according to the buyers foot size. The buyer had to select painted or unpainted soles and specify the number of coloured plastic pieces which their clogs was to be fitted. The clog maker would then cut the pieces of plastic from a plastic sheet usually into two large trapezoids for the pair of clogs. One end of the plastic trapezoid would be nailed into one clog and reinforced with a small strip that was again nailed into the clog. The clog maker would then check the fit of the buyer's foot. Depending on the fit, he would nail the other end of the trapezoidal plastic sheet into the other side of the clog reinforcing it with a small strip again. Quickly the clog maker measured the second clog against the first by putting his hand inside the strap. He then nailed the plastic sheet into the second clog. The tag ends of the plastic were cut off with a large meat cleaver. The clogs were finally wrapped in a newspaper, tied with a pink plastic string and handed to the customer. Before plastic came into the scene, clog makers used rubber covers to fit the clogs. Vinyl strips used later for the instep were imported from Hong Kong in dazzling colours and stripes. In 1984, the clogs sold for a minimum of two dollars and fifty cents.
Development
The introduction of shoes and later modern footwear suited to every need and taste left little room for business for the clog makers. People begun considering the clogs noisy and cumbersome. By 1957, many clog makers had closed shop. Many clog makers simply went out of business slowly over the years. In 1984, only three to four shops remained in Singapore selling clogs. With continued economic losses, increasing costs of raw materials and rent, most of the clog makers that remained too ceased operations. Today tourists buy clogs from souvenir shops.
Author
Naidu Ratnala Thulaja
References
Sullivan, M. (1993). "Can survive, la": Cottage industries in high-rise Singapore (pp. 85-87). Singapore: Graham Brash.
(Call no.: RSING 338.634095957 SUL)
The clogmaker of Chinatown. (1976). Goodwood Journal, 2nd Qtr., 35.
(Call no.: RSING 052 GHCHJ)
Further Readings
The vanishing trades [CD-ROM]. (1997). Singapore: Daichi Media.
(Call no.: RAV 338.642095957 VAN)
National heritage Board. (n.d.). Archives and Artefacts online. Retrieved December 20, 2002, from www.a2o.com.sg
List of Images
Archives and Oral History Department. (1983). Chinatown: An album of a Singapore community (p. 148). Singapore: Times Books International.
(Call no.: SING 779.995957 CHI)
The information in this article is valid as at 2002 and correct as far as we can ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.
