Empowering Ancestral Discovery: Hari MAS 2026

Baba Emeric Lau attends Hari MAS (Malay Ancestry Search Day) by the Genealogy Society Singapore. Additional reporting by Baba Clarence Ling.

On Saturday, 6 June 2026, The POD at the National Library Building hosted a cultural and educational event titled “Hari MAS” – MAS being an acronym for Malay Ancestry Search, but also a pun on the Malay word meaning “gold”. 

Organised by Juliana Lim under the auspices of the Genealogy Society Singapore, the full-day event ran from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm. Hari MAS was designed to empower participants in their quest to uncover their Malay heritage, blending academic insight with personal storytelling and cultural performance.

The morning session commenced with words of welcome before diving into two insightful lectures. Dr. Vivienne Wee, an anthropologist and co-founder of Ethnographica Private Limited, opened the academic discourse with her presentation on “Melayu in the Greater Riau region, including Singapore,” providing crucial historical context for the Malay diaspora. This was followed by Dr. Suriani Suratman, Senior Lecturer at the National University of Singapore’s Department of Malay Studies, who explored “Uncovering Cultural Heterogeneity of Malay peoples in Singapore.” Her talk highlighted the diverse ethnic roots that constitute the modern Malay identity in the nation.

Practical guidance for genealogists was provided by Muhammad Alif Bin Zaini, Archivist at the National Archives of Singapore, who demonstrated how to research family history using NLB and public resources. He was succeeded by Nur Fitri Muhammad Syafran, Librarian (Malay Language) at the National Library Board, who shed light on prominent Malays in Singapore’s history. This was followed by a unique lunch set inspired by Khir Johari’s book, The Food of Singapore Malays, allowing attendees to experience culinary heritage while networking. The session ended on a cultural note with a panton performance by Baba Chan Eng Thai and Muhammad Shahril Bin Samri, showcasing the art of traditional Baba Malay and Malay poetry.

The afternoon session saw the presence of A/Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs and Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs, who graced the proceedings. The core of the afternoon consisted of two panel discussions anchored by Dr. Suriani Suratman and were more light-hearted. The first panel, “Ancestry Search Journey,” featured fellow researchers Fathiah A’bdussamad, Mohamed Zulkifli Rahmat, Nora Samosir, Ronney Tan Koon Siang, Sarafian Salleh, and Dr. Vivienne Wee. They shared personal experiences and strategies for navigating complex family histories.

Between the panels, Faizah Jamal, Former Nominated Member of Parliament and co-founder of Alunan Kampung Gelam, delivered a compelling talk titled “Me-rantau: A Banjar in Kampung Xu,” accompanied by a performance from Alunan Kampung Gelam. This segment emphasized the importance of oral history and community memory in ancestry searches. The second panel, “Cultural Highlights in the Search for One’s Ancestry,” revisited the panelists to discuss how cultural markers assist in tracing lineage. The event closed with a musical performance by Alunan Kampung Gelam and spontaneous dancing!

Hari MAS successfully bridged the gap between scholarly research and personal genealogy. The event provided a comprehensive toolkit for those seeking to understand their Malay roots. It was felt that similar events aimed at a younger audience could be organised, as they would gain a stronger sense of identity through an understanding of their ancestry and environment.

Videos of the sessions can be accessed at this link. Photos by Emeric Lau, Juliana Lim, Clarence Ling, and Alvin Tan.