This picture taken at Ipoh Railway Station in the late 1950s post Independence days, shows a multi-racial mix of the youths of Malaysia where Chinese, Indians and Malays make up the biggest ethnic groups. Our country, Malaysia (Malaya then) officially achieved independence and hence freedom from British colonial rule on 31st August 1957.
Our government has been promoting harmony among the races since then. Now we call it 1MALAYSIA. I don't know how they call it during my parents time, maybe MERDEKA (Independence)? During my school days, it was MUHIBBAH.
Looking at this old picture,
- Those days, people used eco-friendly paper bags to carry their stuff. I can even see adverts on it.
- Ladies have short and curly Retro hairdos while the gentlemen's style were Groovy, greasy with Brylcreem
- Fashion were wide knee-length swing skirts and small waist, hourglass figures were the rage for gals. For the guys it was jackets and khaki pants.
What do you think of the 1950s?
This is my entry for Weekend in Black and White, the link is here. My grateful thanks to Dragonstar.
This is also my first entry for Sepia Saturday Week 51, the link is here. My grateful thanks to Alan Burnett and Kat Mortensen.
Hello.
ReplyDeleteI was born in 1974. Therefore, well after 50 years. My father has fond memories of the 50's here in Brazil.
A good week for you.
We went backward in terms of racial relation?
ReplyDeletesigh....coz that time we were united against komunis and japan invasion.Now everything peaceful already then all the small issue comes up
ReplyDeletei was not even born yet but things are looking very different now in terms of environment, fashion, advance technology, vice versa.
ReplyDeleteI loved that style of dress. We even wore stiff or lightly hooped petticoats to make sure the skirts stood out well. Thanks for reminding me.
ReplyDeleteI really love this picture. Very Meaningful.
ReplyDeleteI was born in the late 50s and we had neighbours of all races as our neighbours here, as we're aware of their religious practices and cultures. That time stayed in kampung, so still got the kampung spirit, now everybody stays in flats with closed door. But in schools, work place there's always the multi-race friends.
ReplyDeleteTheir clothing is just like what was worn in the U.S. (at least in our area) by young people of that age. It's a great photograph. Thanks for the information/history that explains the group.
ReplyDeleteyes, the clothes were similar during the 1950's in Detroit here in the U.S.A. too. Not such happy times in terms of the different races living together here though.
ReplyDelete