Calling all heritage and photography buffs:
Admission free. To register email: museum@nus.edu.sg or call 6516 8817 / 8429
Featuring the works of photographers Ken Cheong and Zann Huang, this panel discussion will feature the photographers’ visual documentation and insight into the ritual of the Wayang, as well as spaces like Buangkok and the Bukit Brown Cemetery, trailing into a discussion of how documentation via photography infers and affects our construction of heritage in Singapore.
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The photo below is a gate which has 2 stone benches and is an extension of the tomb located at Blk 1 at Bukit Brown Cemetery, visible from the road. It invites questions as how it came to be a standalone with no surrounding perimeter.
photo credit::Jon Wong
For more of Jon Wong’s photos please visit the Bukit Brown face book group. Type Jon Wong in the search facility and you can see more of his album.
On the menu on Wednesday 22nd, 7 pm @ Blu Jaz in Bali Lane:
For more details visit here
Talk 1: Bukit Brown: The Hidden Treasure of Southeast Asia
by SOS Bukit Brown
Description: Bukit Brown is both a 200-hectare green lung which is home to diverse wildlife and a 180-year-old cemetery which is the final resting place of 100,000 of our forefathers and foremothers. In this talk, members of SOS Bukit Brown discuss various aspects of this hidden treasure with a focus on reasons why we should not destroy Bukit Brown to build a highway.
Earth deity, or Tu Di Gong (Tua Pek Kong). (photo: Claire Leow)
Talk 2: Chronicles of The Green Corridor: The Community, The Minister, and The Last Train
by Eugene Tay
Description: The Green Corridor campaign was launched to support the Nature Society’s proposal to keep the KTM railway lands as a continuous green corridor for nature, heritage, recreation and transport benefits. In this talk, Eugene Tay provides a behind the scenes look at the campaign, including tracing of key events, and the sharing of practical lessons on community building and social media campaigning.
Speaker: Eugene Tay manages the “We Support The Green Corridor in Singapore” Facebook page, and “The Green Corridor” website. Eugene is also the Founder of Green Future Solutions, a Singapore-based business that promotes environmental awareness and action for our green future, through sustainability consulting and a network of green websites.
The KTM trains and tracks near Kranji crossing. (photo: Claire Leow)
Talk 3: Discover the Dragon: Cultural History and Current Practice at a Singaporean Wood-Fired Ceramic Kiln
by John Stewart Jackson
Description: Once a staple of Singapore’s ceramics industry, wood fired “dragon kilns” have now become all but extinct. In this talk, John Stewart Jackson traces the history of one particular dragon kiln, from its role in commercial ceramic production to its current status as a center for a thriving artistic community. The talk includes images of dragon kiln firing, examples of current work produced at the kiln and thoughts about how this important Singapore cultural treasure can be preserved for the future.
Speaker: John Stewart is an experienced sculptor, known for his interactive and collaborative approach to space, movement and sound. A graduate of Birmingham-Southern College, Alabama, he has won numerous awards and commissions for his work in the United States and Singapore. Jackson currently serves as a curriculum specialist, teacher and global arts ambassador for School of the Arts (SOTA) in Singapore.
For more details visit here
He’s tall and handsome and was once considered for the team of the inaugural Youth Olympics in Singapore. An unfortunate accident put him out of the running. But he maintains his fitness still today with regular exercise at Bukit Brown and takes the opportunity for some healthy snacking whilst there. There is an air of sartorial elegance about Astroboy’s braids and he is always well groomed. Astroboy is 13 years old. Do say a gentle hello if you should ever encounter him in your visits.
Astroboy snacking in the shade
braided elegance
Astroboy is very much a ladies man
His constant companion is Melissa from the Polo Club
Some members of the Love Cycling Sg Face book Group rode through Bukit Brown on January 2 for a post New Year Nature Tour organised by the Nature Society of Singapore. They enjoyed it so much there organized one on Feb 12.
They came, they saw, and they blogged! Here is one of their reports.
All lined up and ready to explore on foot
Peter Pak shares his passion with a rapt audience
Lets park neatly and explore! That's the spirit!
And here’s a demonstration of how we share personal histories, not necessarily found in the archives or newspapers of the day. This tomb below (Tan Yong Thian) is a relative of one of our friends, Rosalind Tan, who has beautifully restored the site. In part, she cleaned up the front courtyard in anticipation of lessons like this to be shared. It makes history come alive, and helps visitors be more connected to what happens at Bukit Brown. Here, Peter guides. The cyclists were very impressed by the renovation. Rosalind, thank you.
Sharing personal family stories at Tan Yong Thian's tomb
Tan Yong Thian and wife. Beautiful tiles.
As it looked right after renovation in 2011 (no flowers planted yet)
The cyclists moved on to the highlight, the biggest tomb at Bukit Brown.
Doing their signature pose at Ong Sam Leong's tomb
Here's a reverse panoramic shot for a sense of scale
Catherine Lim introduces the iconic Sikh guards
Love Cycling SG visits Bukit Brown and makes an impression!
We love Love Cycling SG! They demonstrate the meaning and spirit of passion. They were considerate to pedestrians and motorists, cycled safely, were caring of each other, attentive to the guides and so patient in the heat as we stopped and trekked often. Yet they never complained and were really keen. We would love to have them back!
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And here are some photos of their visit on 2 January…….
Enjoying a leisurely ride through Bukit Brown, sharing space with walkers
Kevin and Gywn loved it so much they got off their bikes to join the nature tour and were instrumental in organising this next one!
Margie Hall was leading the nature tour but felt compelled to detour into cultural heritage when confronted by the Bukit Brown iconic sikh guards.
Margie Hall of Nature Society of Singapore
no bike access, so walk the talk
Event 1 A post Chinese New Year celebration organised by the the Bukit Brown Face book group takes place between 9 am – 12 pm on 11 February, Saturday at Bukit Brown. It’s chance for the group to meet and welcome new members and guests, a chance to orientate those new to Bukit Brown. Bring what ever you like. But also bring your own re- useable utensils. Bukit Brown is about sustainable habitat. For more details, please check in here
Much camaraderie and good eats at the last post- festive event on Boxing Day 2011
Checking out what sauces are available
Chinchalok Omelette - A Big Hit!
The chinkchalok omelette really hit the spot for one.
"yes, I can see how this can be used to strain the tea or whack the mozzies""
Some cyclists dropped in
"Don't worry, I got your back sister"
"Lest, we forget why we gathered..."
"And so we celebrate......"
"And we give thanks...."
Event 2 On the same evening, a night tour lead by Suki Singh. See here for a report on ” the howling success” of the first ever full moon tour organised . Register your interest in the event here
See you at Bukit Brown!
Calling all shutter bugs, share your best work on the Bukit Brown Gallery
Mirror Image
Choose your best 8 photographs, caption it, theme it, tell us how you captured it, whatever you like.
Tell us a something about yourself and your interest in Bukit Brown
We will devote each new blog posting to your photographs
The penultimate goal – to build up enough to launch an exhibition, the ultimate goal – a book!
Send your contributions to a.t.bukitbrown@gmail.com
DIY Tour Map
For self-guiding, please refer to our tour guides and featured tombs. Read up on tips before you visit for full enjoyment and safety. Enjoy the flora and fauna.
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Division Map
Division map useful for finding tombs
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We are often asked about the distances over Bukit Brown. Cyclists and runners may find these useful:
Route 1 map: 3.9 km
Route 2: 2.2 km
Route 3: 4.6 km
For the greater Bukit Brown cemetery complex:
Master map for greater Bukit Brown (Photo: Mok Ly Ying)
Mok Ly Yng says:
The Seh Ong Cemetery was made up of 5 hills since day 1. Lornie/Adam Road only cut thru the valley between Hill 4/5 (on the golf course side) and the rest of Hills 1-3 on the BBC side. Then later on, PIE came in and cut thru the lower areas of the Hills 1 and 2.
Seh Ong had 5 hills since the area was acquired in the 19th century. Still today, the hill tops are still around, but the ‘body’ of the hills are badly bisected by the two roads (Lornie/Adam Rds and PIE).
Kheam Hock Road also cut thru a valley between the Seh Ong Hills 1 (left) and 2/3 (right), does not affect the hill count.
When word gets round that an organised group is about to descend on Bukit Brown, you’ll almost be certain to find Master Lim Su Min and his mobile tea station.
Master Lim brews a mean tea
He made his first appearance on Boxing Day last year in an event organized by the Bukit Brown face book group to work off the Christmas feasting with a brisk walk, jog or cycle in the grounds.
Su Min decided he will offer freshly brewed fine Chinese tea on the ground as an incentive after the “work out”. Today, when he is not on his travels to do community service around the region, he is a fixture under the same shady tree which he has claimed for his tea station. Even when overseas, Bukit Brown is always close to his heart as he looks out for interesting teas for the next serving.
Custom is brisk. The offering this day was lapsong suchong. One thimble full of tea is never quite enough and one regular customer has threatened to bring her own mug.
His, is the stuff of gung fu. Bottled water on standby, a portable stove on standby to heat the water to replenish his thermos, and the ritual of warming and rinsing of tea cups before the brew is offered to be sipped.
Master Lim is a man of many talents.
He can be prevailed upon to strum a few ditties on his trusty ukelele...
....brush in a quick water colour
And he can be moved to pen a haiku or two.
“Tea leaves instilling:
Peace our souls are resting
Tranquility eternal
Ladies and Gentlemen, we present Lim Su Min, tea master extraordinaire and poet in virtual residence at Bukit Brown.
As Su Min operates only under artistic license, his tea is complimentary and yes, refills are allowed while stocks last. He has as yet not run out.
Thanks to SOS Save Bukit Brown for this tongue-in-cheek video drawn from the album of enchanted nights. Enjoy!
Following the successful inaugural Bukit Brown Full Moon Tour January, a further two were organised for the next moon rising during the Chinese New Year.
Dateline 7.30pm, 11th February 2012- – Bukit Brown (Lorong Halwa)
A whooping 40 turned up, and although the moon was late in raising and was missed, an unscheduled stop uphill to Bukit Brown’s most spectacular tomb site was the bright spot in the night’s tour . Here are the highlights
Hang Chong from nature society weighs in Bukit Browns habitat and its importance.
The walk begins, what lies ahead?
Suki with captive audience waxing lyrical on Bukit Brown
Making tracks uphill to Seh Ong Hill
It's so spacious, lets spread out....
- Like a floating stage, the splendour of a night out at Ong Sam Leong
A moment of reflection
Making tracks down Seh Ong Hill
The final tomb stop : The Sikh Guards
Photo Credits Yuen Kit Mun
Dateline: 9pm, 9th February, Thursday 2011
There were only 4 in this tour, hastily arranged because of a late alert that the moon would be at its most beautiful yet.
Full Moon at Bukit Brown
A life size sikh guard at Blk 4, captured in splendid isolation
Ferns nests replendent, still by night
Moon on the Rise
Photo Credits : Suki Singh
Dateline: 11pm, 7th January 2012– BukitBrown (Lorong Halwa Entrance)
The sky was clear, the air was a contrasting cool to the day’s heat and humidity and the near full moon played peek a boo behind nature’s lace veil.
Branches framing the moon in lace
The stars were as near galactic as it can be in urban Singapore. Orion, the hunter is the easiest to spot here on a clear night. Look for his sabre, we were told, it marks compass North.
Orion - The Hunter
The star gazing marked the start of the tour of Bukit Brown by night organized by our intrepid guide, Suki Singh who used to patrol Bukit Brown when he was a policeman.
Suki by day checking out Bukit Brown. Some say he bears a remarkable resemblance to the iconic Sikh guards which stand guard at one of the tombs. The guards are unique to Singapore and so is Suki unique to Bukit Brown.
Hang Chong, with the Nature Society of Singapore was an adjunct guide. Nestled amidst the splendor of this rain tree he pointed out the birds nest fern, which in turn hosted a family of fruit bats.
The hospitable rain tree
We spotted one member at home and it proceeded to pee, narrowly missing one participant. I am still not sure whether it was an act of welcome or disdain.
Spot the fruit bat
The crickets provided the accompaniment to the calls of the night jar and frogs which punctuated the music of the night as we strolled, stopping every now and then to snap a few shots.
Capturing the enchanted evening
Listen here for the Night Jar
Bukit Brown is hauntingly beautiful by night, inviting quiet companionship and contemplation. I could hear my thoughts breathing.
The Dignity of Repose
Perfect Alignment
Suki shared stories of encounters of the criminal kind during his patrolling days. But what Suki says in Bukit Brown stays in Bukit Brown. If you want to know more, you just have to join future tours.
We were not the only group in attendance that night. One other, smaller group, dressed uniformly and stylishly in black introduced themselves as members of Tarot Chaos. This night according to their calendar was auspicious for harmonising with and harnessing the energy of the elements
Incense Burner - Tarot Chaos
We moved on to let them commune with their blithe spirits. Just as we were about to turn a corner Bukit Brown decided she needed a drink and the elements obliged. It started as a drizzle but we soon realized just how thirsty she was when the rain came pelting down. Gallantly, the men made way for the women after their cameras were first attended to. We huddled under umbrellas enjoined under the trees as there was no lightning and decided to wait it out. When it did not relent, the group activated Plan B: a dash to the entrance where the cars were parked. We chalked up more than an hour on the walk but had lingered and tarried so often we had not covered a lot of ground. The bodies piled in to the available cars, off to Adam Road Food Centre for a well-deserved teh tarik and steaming bowls of kambing soup for some, clean forgetting to take photos.
But the best had already been captured. It stopped raining just as we finished supper. The die-hards returned to Bukit Brown and captured that magical moment when moonlight gives way to the first rays of dawn.
The Glow of Bukit Brown
From Dusk to Dawn
We were 18! plus one..........
For the brave 18 who attended the tour, it was dare I say a “howling” success.
Text: Catherine Lim
Photo Credits : Suki Singh and Claire Leow
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