Kusu Island is one of the Southern Islands in Singapore, located about 5.6 kilometres (3.5 miles) to the south of the main island of Singapore and below the Singapore Straits. "Kusu" means "Tortoise Island" or "Turtle Island" in Hokkien; the island is also known as Peak Island or Pulau Tembakul in Malay.

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (July 2022)

This article is written like a travel guide rather than an encyclopedic description of the subject. (August 2011)

Kusu Island

Native name: Pulau Tembakul 龟屿 ஆமை தீவு
Aerial perspective of Kusu Island, Singapore. Shot in 2016.
Kusu Island Location of Kusu Island within Singapore
Etymology	Tortoise island
Geography
Location	Southeast Asia
Coordinates	1°13′22″N 103°51′40″E
Archipelago	Malay Archipelago
Area	0.085 km2 (0.033 sq mi)
Administration
Singapore
Region	Central Region
Planning Area	Southern Islands
Demographics
Population	not applicable (not allowed to live there) (2020)[1]
Additional information
Official website	Official website
Transport Marina South Pier

From two outcrops on a reef, the island was enlarged and transformed into an island of 85,000 square metres (914,932 sq ft).

Mythology

The legend behind the island says that a magical tortoise turned itself into an island to save two shipwrecked sailors, one a Malay and the other a Chinese.

Facilities

At the top of the rugged hillock on Kusu Island stood three keramats (or sacred shrines of Malay holy figures) to commemorate a pious man (Syed Abdul Rahman), his mother (Nenek Ghalib) and his sister (Puteri Fatimah), all of whom once lived in the 19th century. Many devotees climbed the 152 steps leading up to the keramats to pray for wealth, good marriage, good health and harmony. The shrines were also popular with childless couples who would pray for children. Despite misconceptions, they do not pray to the keramats, but at the sites. On April 17, 2022, the keramats were destroyed in a fire.[2]

Also located on Kusu island is the popular Chinese temple dedicated to both Da Bo Gong (大伯公), or Tua Pek Kong (Grand Uncle), also known as Fude Zhengshen (福德正神) and Na Tuk Kong (Dato Keramat or "拿督公"). Built in 1923 by a wealthy businessman, the temple houses two main Taoist deities, Da Bo Gong and Guan Yin ("观音", or Goddess of Mercy). The former is highly regarded as having the power to confer prosperity, cure diseases, calm the sea and avert danger, while Guan Yin is known as the "Bestower of Sons".

It is popular for its lagoons, pristine beaches and general tranquil settings. Visits are often made by occasional ferry trips from the nearby Marina South Pier (formerly from Clifford Pier) to see the famous wishing well and the Tortoise Sanctuary. A stand-alone open-air hawker centre is located in the middle of the island but it is only open and running during certain periods of the year, such as during festivals or pilgrimages to the keramats or the temple. No overnight stays are permitted on the island.

References

• Chia, Jack Meng-Tat. "Managing The Tortoise Island: Tua Pek Kong Temple, Pilgrimage, and Social Change in Pulau Kusu, 1965-2007." New Zealand Journal of Asian Studies 11, 2 (December 2009): 72-95.
• Lu, Caixia. "The Kusu Pilgrimage: An Enduring Myth." International Institute for Asian Studies Newsletter 59 (Spring 2012): 50-51.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kusu Island.

• Satellite image of Peak Island - Google Maps
• Info for visitors on wildsingapore
• Kusu Island Coral Reef Survey Data on Coral Reefs of Singapore

На других языках

[de] Kusu (Insel)

[fr] Kusu Island