Lenscape #5
Butcher torching a pig's head in Tampines Round Market, Singapore, May 2010
We were just walking around the Tampines Round Market after an excellent lunch (braised pork rib noodle) at the adjoining hawker centre when we chanced upon this friendly butcher torching a huge (by Esther’s standards) pig head. The kind man explained to us that it was the preliminary step to removing the facial hair of the pig’s head. True enough, he later used a sharp knife to scrape off the charred bits. He further told us that each pig’s head is sold for $12. That’s quite a good deal!
But he also let on that only businessmen or loansharks buy these heads nowadays. The former commonly include a roasted pig’s head as part of his temple offerings. The latter? Well, to make sure debtors complete their “offerings” to him!
~ Jeff
