National Museum of Singapore

Original Building

Building, 1887

The front block of the museum building dates back to 1887. It features an elegant neo-Palladian design, a European style of architecture characterised by a highly symmetrical façade and the use of pediments above windows.

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Love Kebaya Exhibition_2160 x 890
Love Kebaya Exhibition_720 x 400

Love, Kebaya

04 Apr 2023 - 23 Apr 2023
Level 2,
Platform
Daily from 10am – 7pm. Last admission at 6.30pm.
Free admission
Love, Kebaya is a travelling exhibition that takes you on a journey to discover the iconic kebaya, its significance to our region’s shared cultural identity and living heritage, and the multination nomination of kebaya by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand for inscription onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity.
Love Kebaya Exhibition 500 X 400 photo

What is a kebaya?
Kebaya is traditionally worn by women in Southeast Asia, notably in Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. The styles of kebaya vary across different communities and regions, reflecting their adaptations to the different cultures where it is found in.

What to Expect
The exhibit features the different types of Kebaya from the region, worn in contemporary times. Dive deeper into the the craft behind these beautiful outfits with stories by practitioners and members of the community who creates them.

Family Time

Visit our permanent galleries with your little ones and play spot-the-artefact! Our colourful Early Learning Resources introduce pre-schoolers to our artefacts according to the themes of Numbers, Colours, and ABCs. Available at $8 per set from the Museum Label shop. For more children's activity booklets, click here.

Museum guide

Download our museum guide (English, Chinese, Bahasa Melayu, Tamil) to find out about the many treasures in our various galleries. In this guide, you will also find the floor plan for easier navigation. Enjoy your visit!