::::: Daune's Heritage Walk II :::::

After 2 weeks of short rest, Daune continued has began to soar his wings like a eagle and began his historical journey along Amoy street. This walk truly engulfs Daune's spirit, as he walked down the aisle of history, the tunnel of memories. He began his walk again from Amoy food centre, this time however, he began his heritage journey from Telok Ayer Street, the street that was once a busy place for his forefathers.

Telok Ayer Street 直落亚逸街

 Telok Ayer Street

It was slightly over 1pm today, however, this street were not as crowded as it used to be before. Telok Ayer Street used to be an important street for our forefathers. Chinese, Malays and Indians arrived at this fishing village. Telok Ayer means "Water Bay" in Malay, as it was a fishing point that it claimed to be in the past.

Malay Fishing Sampan

To the Malays, fishing was their livelihood, which in fact, many early inhabitants depended very much on sea. Which is why kelongs (a Malay word to describe a form of offshore platform built predominantly with wood) is so commonly available is an land which are surrounded by sea.

Indian Milk Seller

To the Indians, earning a living in this island of opportunites was not easy for them. This was a bronze sculpture of an Indian selling milk. In a culture of diversity, milk was seen to be widely accepted by the early migrants and inhabitants. 

Chinese festival in Singapore

 The Chinese became a large group of inhabitant in mid 19th century after the opening of the Chinese ports in China. Since then we could see large number of migrants who came to seek opportunities, some brought along their families while some procreate their offsprings here. Hence their second generation were borned and raised here. The photo above was a picture a Chinese festival parade.

Chinese Clans and Associations 华人公会与会馆

In this street, clans and associations were found along too.

Nanyang Shi Min Gong Hui (南洋施民公会) is another clan found the opposite of Thian Hock Kheng, one of the oldest Hokkien temple in Singapore. Near this street, down the road (to be exact, Amoy Street), to my surprise, I saw another clan;

Eng Choon Hui Guan 永春会馆

Yong Chun Hui Guan, a clan which belonged to my clan. Its my paternal clan when my grandfather came from Fujian Yong Chun when he was young to fight for survival. I had a strong sense of belonging when I saw the building, perhaps it was the blood that ran pass my vessels that I got excited. Due to time constraint, I did not went up to this clan association. In time to come, hope to visit this place again to find out more about my ancestor and my tong xiang (同乡, member of the same village).

Thian Hock Kheng 天福宫

 Thian Hock Kheng (THK) was bult in mid 19 centuries, it was considered the oldest temples built by the Chinese. There was another version that mentioned that no nails were found in the initial building of this temple. It had almost 200 years of history, for the past decades it had stood along the aisle of Telok Ayer Street. It has also hence became a source of tourist attraction in Singapore. It witnessed the Chinese's development for the past decades, and had preserve Fujian's culture. As Fujian nears the sea, this temple was primarily a court that worships Ma Zu (妈祖，also known as Tian Hou 天后 or Heavenly Queen) who was famous for her filial piety to her parents and a protector for the people who sails in the sea.   

(Right) take a look at the steps of this temple. It was around my knee level, according to elders, such high steps are very common in Chinese homes. This had a tradition of preventing ghost from entering their house in believing that ghost doesn't have the ability to jump over such high step. It featured the Chinese culture and it had since preserve the lifestyle.

At the right entrance of THK, saw this plaque, it was given to this temple during emperor Jia Qing (Year Jia Wu 甲午, which is around late 19 century, can't rmb haha!) to commemorate the Chinese in Nanyang.

On Right, saw their hokkien deity, it was supposed to be a couple (one black and white, but didn't take the other as someone was praying there). This couple of deity is called Qi Ye Ba Ye 七爷八爷 who was believe to be some constables that captures men to be judged by another higher authority. Noticed an ashtray infront of each statute, I was puzzled as well, believing this is another form of 'bribery' to them as one of them is a hot-temple deity whom cannot be provoked. 

 (Left) Saw this statue, it was a man living during the Song Dynasty. As he was from the fujian province, and he must had done very well to deserve the credit of instating him as god.

(Right) Beside this god were surrounded by cabinets of ancestral tablets. Took a look at some of these tablets, it bore surnames of different ancestors of surnames from different areas. Tried to find my family, well, as there were too many and time was a minus for me, i gave up after 2 minutes of search. 

(Left) Saw this statue and she was named the Goddess of Moon 月光菩萨 (still remember my dear Prof Chou once mentioned that Wu Ze Tian claimed that she was the re-incarnated body of Yue Guang Pu Sa, was it the one he was referring to?) This boddhisvatta actually had another name, she was also commonly known as the red maiden 红娘 the lady who stringed couples together.

 More photos.

 (Left) The main character of this temple, Ma Zu. It was at the centre of this temple.

The Contrast of Skyscrapes

I also like to see the contrast. Took two pictures of the contrast of modernity and culture. This was evident to time. Time flies, and its such a pity that such buildings may soon demolish. Saw one part of nearly fallen THK building and it had to be supported by scalfoldings. I'm really thankful for the government who's helping to preserve such historical sites. So that people like me were able to visit it and tell my children.

  The almost fallen part of THK

The aisle of memories

The memory lane brought back many memories for me. Though I wasn't one of those who fought the way to build such memories, it helped me pieced back by what I wished to know my forefathers' lives. As I returned my way to my office through this time machine, time clock seemed to be flashing past my mind. How fortune I was till today that I was still able to witness such buildings.