In the [Malayan] Union, kampong people have the kampong spirit, and in rural Singapore villagers must have the village spirit in order to improve their living condition.

Some of that kampong spirit still survives in the clean, orderly HDB estates today. But for the most part, Malay-Muslim families depend on their own immediate members.

Attempts to re-ignite the kampong spirit of community were evident at every turn.

Everyone needs someone. When the kampong spirit is in evidence, nobody needs to feel alone or abandoned.

He says the talk about kampong spirit is worse than nostalgia. "If it's only nostalgic, you just feel romantic about it and you're done with that."

Kampong spirit

Meaning

Noun