Gods on Earth & Chinese Vernacular Shrines in SG - Screening & Discussion

Gods on Earth: Everyday Sacred in a Global City and Chinese Vernacular Shrines in Singapore - Screening and Panel Discussion of Film and Book

Date & Time: 4-6 pm, Tuesday, 4 November, 2025

Venue: FASS AS7 Research Division Seminar Room (6-42)/Zoom

Venue Address: NUS AS7 Shaw Foundation Building, 5 Arts Link, 117570

Directions: To get to the Research Division Seminar Room, go to Level 6 of the AS7 Shaw Foundation Building and turn right after exiting the lift, going around the corridor past the washrooms. Turn left and you will see the Research Division Seminar Room directly ahead.

Registration:

Eventbrite (Registration opens in October)

Zoom (Registration opens in October)

Featuring: Professor KUAH Khun Eng (NUS Chinese Studies), Associate Professor Francis LIM Khek Gee (NTU Sociology), & Lynn WONG (Bridging Generations)

Programme document: Forthcoming

Schedule

4:00 pm to 4:10 pm Registration

4:10 pm to 4:15 pm Opening Remarks by Associate Professor Jack Meng-Tat CHIA (NUS History & FASS Assistant Dean of Research)

4:15 pm to 4:45 pm Screening of Gods on Earth: Everyday Sacred in a Global City

4:45 pm to 5:25 pm Discussion of Gods on Earth: Everyday Sacred in a Global City and Chinese Vernacular Shrines in Singapore with Professor KUAH Khun Eng (NUS Chinese Studies), Associate Professor Francis LIM Khek Gee (NTU Sociology), and Lynn WONG (Bridging Generations)

5:25 pm to 6:00 pm Refreshments & Networking with Participants

ABOUT THE FILM

Gods on Earth: Everyday Sacred in a Global City

In a secularised, densely populated, and rapidly evolving global city, how do ordinary people create sacred spaces in unexpected places?

Gods on Earth: Everyday Sacred in a Global City takes you on a journey into the Chinese vernacular shrine culture in Singapore. The small, unformalised shrines, often found beside big trees and at roadsides, nestle in the nooks and crannies of public spaces. Ubiquitous but often ignored by passers-by, these humble sites hold immense social and cultural significance.

Hear the stories from devotees, witness the fascinating rituals, and gain insights into the multi-ethnic communities that sustain these shrines. Meet Chinese and Hindu deities, Datuks, Erawan, Nang Kwak, animal spirits, and other sacred entities that showcase the rich spiritualism practised daily. These shrines also play a pivotal role in cementing local community bonds in a dynamic urban setting. This documentary is narrated by religion scholars, Francis Lim and Kuah Khun Eng, and directed by Lynn Wong.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Chinese Vernacular Shrines in Singapore

Embark on a captivating cultural journey of discovery into the enchanting realm of Chinese vernacular shrine culture in Singapore. Vernacular shrines are small, unformalised shrines located next to trees, in hawker centres and bus interchanges, at the roadsides, and other public spaces. They may appear humble but hold immense social and cultural significance.

Through interviews, fieldwork data, and striking photographs, this book explores the history, evolution, and a panoply of deities, traditions, peoples, and communities associated with these shrines. Prepare to be mesmerised by the blending of belief systems and multicultural practices, where popular Chinese gods and goddesses sit alongside Hindu deities, Datuk Gong, and Nang Kwak. These shrines not only manifest a pluralistic character but also function as social spaces for forging inter-ethnic and community identities on a micro-societal level. Discover the captivating stories, myths, and rituals that make these shrines an integral part of Singapore’s cultural heritage.