Government exhumations for some 4,000 graves in the way of the highway began on Tuesday 17 December, without any official announcement. Sources on the ground brought some of the Brownies and a Mediacorp news team to Bukit Brown.
It is understood that graves claimed by descendants will be exhumed first, followed by those unclaimed. It is estimated from descendants who have kept All Things Bukit Brown informed on the exhumation dates of their ancestors, that exhumations could take up to July/August 2014 to complete.
The areas of affected graves have been cordoned off from view in preparation for exhumations since November 2013. Only descendants, grave diggers and official personnel including the documentation team are allowed in the enclose areas to witness and record the exhumations.
There is as yet no official statement on plans to preserve tombstones except for this statement : “Due to the number of burial items, the NHB is unable to guarantee that it will be able to preserve all of them.” CNA news report. The news video is available here. The Mandarin news report:
A blog post in Chinese by Brownie Walter is available here.
The Straits Times on Exhumations, 19 December, 2013:
3,440 graves will be exhumed over next 9 months to make way for road by Grace Chua
EXHUMATION has begun at last at the Bukit Brown Cemetery, where more than 3,000 of nearly 100,000 graves will make way for a new road.
The public exhumation, coordinated by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), began on Tuesday. Over the next nine months, 3,442 graves will be exhumed.
A total of 304 graves have already been exhumed privately by family members. In all, 1,263 graves have been claimed to date.
The remains that are still unclaimed three years after exhumation will be cremated individually and scattered at sea.
Construction of the new road will begin in stages after the exhumation of affected graves is completed, an LTA spokesman said.
“While construction is ongoing, members of the public can continue to enter the other parts of Bukit Brown Cemetery that are not affected by the road construction. The details of access routes will be made available to the public when construction starts.”
The exhumation process is being documented by anthropologist Hui Yew-Foong and his team, who have been appointed by the Government for the task.
Dr Hui, a senior fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, said the team observes what rituals might have been carried out, what artefacts were buried with the dead, and if the tombs have any underground structure.
For instance, underground chambers were sometimes lined with bricks to keep coffins dry, while women might have jewellery or miniature cooking utensils buried with them.
Meanwhile, members of the public have sent letters to the Ministry of National Development as part of feedback about the Draft Masterplan 2013, pleading for the rest of the cemetery to be kept instead of redeveloping it for housing.
Today is the last day for the public to submit feedback on the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s draft masterplan, which was made public last month.
Among those who have written in is Mr Ishvinder Singh, 26, a supply chain professional.
He became intrigued by Bukit Brown when he saw photos of Sikh-guard statues at the tombs of Chinese businessmen and officials. This led him to visit Bukit Brown and investigate its history as well as that of the Sikh community here.
“I realised that the Sikh statues weren’t just about my own community, but about the interactions that took place between different communities,” he said.
For the community who believe with us that Bukit Brown should be preserved as a Heritage Park, the journey continues to preserve the rest of the 95,000 tombs. We have guided 10,000 people in one year. With your support, we can do more to create awareness and appreciation for the Heritage, Habitat and History of Bukit Brown. Let’s keep calm and carry on.
At Bukit Brown on the 17th December morning, as observed by Brownies on the Ground.
17 December, smooth traffic on both sides of Lornie Rd posted at 08.19 (photo Claire Leow)
17 December Gathering for the Exhumations (photo Victor Lim)
A bottle of white wine in the bag to wash the bones collected as according to custom. This package is for the tomb staked as number 49 (photo Victor Lim)
17 December – A family heads towards Seh Ong Cemetery with a gravedigger carrying the tools of his trade (photo Claire Leow)
Grave digger, Ah Na speaks Hokkien fluently (photo Claire Leow)
One last parting shot from the people at Cartoon Press
A report on a private exhumation here
http://sinchewciviljournalist.blogspot.sg/2013/12/blog-post_17.html
Meeting Point for all events at Lorong Halwa gates
Sat 21 Dec : 9am- 11.30am : Walk with Han Zhong & Jing Jie (Facebook Registration here)
Join the two ex-Chinese High students as they walk around Bukit Brown, and share with you the delights of its flora and fauna, as well as stories of Singaporean pioneers that are associated with their alma mater.
Sun 22 Dec: 4pm-6.30pm : Poetry Readings at Twilight Walk (Facebook Registration here)
Follow Bianca, Claire and Mil as they walk through the cemetery at twilight and stop along the route to read poetry and excerpts of theatre play scripts. The readings will be in English. Tour participants are encouraged to take photos and record videos. We will feature amongst others poems of the Singapore poet Khoo Seok Wan, whose grave is at Bukit Brown and staked to be exhumed in the near future. We will also pay tribute to the early pioneers from the 1830s cluster of graves that will make way for the highway.
Wed 25 Dec : 9am – 11.30am : Christmassy Tidings at Bukit Brown with Chew Keng Kiat (Facebook Registration here)
Bukit Brown. Land of One Hundred Thousand Stories. ‘Tis the season to remember.
Disclaimer: By agreeing to take this walking tour of Bukit Brown Cemetery, I understand and accept that I must be physically fit and able to do so.To the extent permissible by law, I agree to assume any and all risk of injury or bodily harm to myself and persons in my care (including child or ward)
General Information:
Bukit Brown is on the World Monuments Watch list 2014 . Find out what makes this a heritage site worthy of preserving. http://bukitbrown.com/
For information on how to get there and handy tips please visit Getting There/ 集合地点
Three guided walks this weekend. Please note new meeting point for all guided walks is at the Lorong Halwa gates
Saturday 14th Dec 9 am – 12 pm Ancestry Run of Brownie Dr Lim Su Min.
Dr Lim Su Min, from ACS, counts amongst his ancestors big Towkays : Mr Tan Tock Seng, Mr Tan Boo Liat, Mr Seow Poh Leng and Dr Lim Boon Keng. A few are buried in Bukit Brown. Come and join Lim Su Min as he shares family stories and listen as he strums his ukulele for his ancestors. Facebook registration here
Sunday 15th Dec 9am – 12 pm Nature Ramble with Beng Tang
Besides being of cultural and historical value, Bukit brown is also of great biodiversity and ecological value. It contains many rare and locally endangered animals including birds, fish, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, and a great variety of plants including fruit trees, edible and medicinal herbs, and important food crops. It is also a beautiful and scenic place where you can rest your eyes on green landscapes and enjoy peaceful atmosphere and the sounds of nature. Come and experience this before it is changed by the road. Already the contractor has fenced off sections so it is no longer as it was. Facebook registration here
Sunday 15th Dec 9am – 12 pm Tong Meng Hui with Zhi Hao and Claire Leow
15 December is an important Day in Sino-Taiwan-US relations. Going back in History, Civil war in China lead to the establishment of the PRC in 1949, and also the shift of ROC to Taiwan. The two political parties that brought about this change in modern Chinese history were the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Communist Party of China (CPC). Before the Kuomintang, there was its predecessor, the Tong Meng Hui – the Chinese Revolutionary Alliance. In this tour, we will visit some of our forefathers who either had a role in the Tong Meng Hui or in one way or another related to it. Hills 3 & 4 covered. Facebook registration here
General Information:
Bukit Brown is on the World Monuments Watch list 2014 . Find out what makes this a heritage site worthy of preserving. http://bukitbrown.com/
For information on how to get there and handy tips please visit http://bukitbrown.com/main/?p=7250
Registration:
Our weekend public tours are FREE …
Optimally the group size is 30 participants (15 individuals/guide).
Please click ‘Join’ on the FB event page to let us know you are coming, how many pax are turning up, or just meet us at the starting point at 9am. We meet there rain or shine.
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The tour:
The Bukit Brown area is about 233 hectares in extent, bordered by Lornie Road, Thomson Road and the Pan-Island Expressway. It lies just to the south of the Central Catchment Forest, being separated from it by Lornie Road and includes Singapore’s only Chinese Municipal Cemetery. With more than 100,000 graves, Bukit Brown is also one of the largest Chinese cemeteries outside of China.
Don’t forget to bask in the peaceful surrounds, and also chat with your guides and make friends with other participants. We are amateurs and volunteers, but we are passionate and serious about what we do at Bukit Brown, and we encourage sharing of knowledge.
Here is a map of the grounds:
http://bukitbrown.com/
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Please take note:
1. We will be walking mainly on paved roads. But there are hill treks so dress appropriately, especially your footwear.
2. Wear light breathable clothing. Long pants and long sleeves if you are prone to insect bites or sunburn. Bring sunblock and natural insect repellent.
3. Wear comfortable non-slip shoes as safety is important. Walking sticks are recommended.
4. Do read up on Bukit Brown before going so you have a better understanding of the place (e.g. BukitBrown.com)
5. Do bring water, light snacks, poncho/umbrella, sunhat and waterproof your electronics.
6. Please go to the toilet before coming. There are NO facilities anywhere there or nearby.
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How to get there by MRT / Bus:
Bus services available: 52, 74, 93, 157, 165, 852, 855.
From North: Go to Marymount MRT and walk to bus-stop #53019 along Upper Thomson Road. Take Buses 52, 74, 165, 852, 855
Alight 6 stops later at bus-stop, #41149, opposite Singapore Island Country Club (SICC), Adam Road. Walk towards Sime Road in the direction of Kheam Hock Road until you see Lorong Halwa.
From South: Go to Botanic Gardens MRT and walk to bus-stop #41121 at Adam Road, in front of Singapore Bible College. Take Buses 74, 93, 157, 165, 852, 855. Alight 2 stops later at bus-stop, #41141, just before Singapore Island Country Club (SICC), Adam Road. Cross the bridge, walk towards Sime Road, follow the road until you see Lorong Halwa.
By car:
Turn in from Lornie Road, to Sime Road. Then, turn left into Lorong Halwa.
Parking space available at the largish paved area near the cemetery gates.
Bukit Brown, Our Singapore Story
On 7 Dec 2013 at 9am, a group of 40 tour participants joined TEDX speakers Claire Leow and Ish Singh to listen to how Bukit Brown inspired their search into Singapore’s historical past and deepened their understanding of their own cultural identity. Ish shared his insights on the Sikh guards in Bukit Brown and the history of the Sikhs in Singapore, while Claire shared about Singapore’s WWII stories and connections to some of the pioneers who played a role in this. The next day would be the anniversary of the Dec 8, 1941 Japanese bombing campaign in Singapore, marking the day war arrived at our shores.
There was also a special poetry reading by Claire at the 1830s graves cluster – a remnant from the Qing dynasty, and therefore the earliest immigrants to Singapore when Sir Stamford Raffles settled here and developed the colony.
Descendants Kim Wee and Cecilia Chong shared the stories of their ancestors buried at Bukit Brown as well. Below are a few photos of the event and useful information at the bottom of the page.
Ish Singh with one of Sikh guards [photo: Bianca Polak]
![The 1830s graves cluster with a poetry reading by Claire Leow [photo: Bianca Polak]](http://bukitbrown.com/main/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/IMG_9070_sm.jpg)
The 1830s graves cluster with a poetry reading by Claire Leow [photo: Bianca Polak]
The poem is here.
![Ish with Sikh guard and retired Indian army veteran at Ong Sam Leong's grave [photo: Bianca Polak]](http://bukitbrown.com/main/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/IMG_9200_sm.jpg)
Ish with Sikh guard and retired Indian army veteran at Ong Sam Leong’s grave [photo: Bianca Polak]
![Claire sharing the story of the Tok family [photo: Bianca Polak]](http://bukitbrown.com/main/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/IMG_9094_sm.jpg)
Claire sharing the story of the Tok family [photo: Bianca Polak]
![group photo at Chew Geok Leong's grave with the colourful Sikh guards [photo: Bianca Polak]](http://bukitbrown.com/main/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/IMG_9176_sm.jpg)
group photo at Chew Geok Leong’s grave with the colourful Sikh guards [photo: Bianca Polak]
Related posts:
A primer on Sikh history: http://
Claire’s TEDx speech: http://www.youtube.com/
Ish’s blog report: A Shared Heritage
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Join us for guided tours here. Our weekend public tours are FREE …
Optimally the group size is 30 participants (15 individuals/guide). We guide rain or shine.
Information on How to get there and handy tips
Bukit Brown is on the World Monuments Watch list 2014 .
Sikh guards (Photo: Ang Hock Chuan)
Pre- exhumation rituals for the nearly 4,000 pioneers who will have to be exhumed to make way for the highway, took place on the morning of Thursday, 28th November. A short and simple ceremony, it was organised by the Land Transport Authority and Swee Hong construction company for descendants. More than 500 descendants together with well wishers and brownies were in attendance.
The rituals were conducted by 7 members of the Inter Religious Organisation.
Prayers were offered for the peaceful move of the soon to be exhumed pioneers to their new homes and for the safety of the people who will be working on the site.
The descendants who arrived were confronted by a new almost “fortress-like” Bukit Brown where barriers had been put up in preparation for exhumations, scheduled to begin in December 2013
Descendants arriving to participate in the prayers for the deceased. (photo Khoo Ee Hoon)
The area for the ritual prayers was under a marquee enclosed by a metal barrier and restricted to descendants. Registration was required.
Registration (photo Khoo Ee Hoon)
The area within was quickly filled to capacity
Pre exhumation rituals ( photo Jennifer Teo )
It quickly became standing room only
Pre exhumation rituals ( photo Jennifer Teo )
Pre exhumation rituals ( photo Mil Phuah)
The scheduled time to begin the prayers was 10am. It was delayed because of the unexpected crowds and started about 15 minutes later.
Religious leaders from left to right represented: Jainism , Buddhism , Taoism , Hinduism , Christianity, Sikhism and Baha’i faith (photo below)
The prayers begin (photo Walter Lim)
The religious leaders took their turns to pray starting with Jain leader in pink, followed by Buddhist leader. (photo below)
Buddhist religious leader (photo Jennifer Teo)
The Taoist leader (in black robes) was followed by the Hindu religious leader
Hindu religious leader (photo Jennifer Teo)
Religious leader of the Sikhs (photo Jennifer Teo)
Christian religious leader (photo Jennifer Teo)
Baha’i faith leader (photo Jennifer Teo)
The prayers took about 10 minutes and the ceremony was over. A few descendants took the opportunity to also pay their last respects personally to their ancestors and came bearing offerings.
Pre Exhumation Rituals (photo Khoo Ee Hoon)
Families conducting their personal Pre Exhumation Rituals (photo Khoo Ee Hoon)
Family with 3 affected tombs (Khoo Ee Hoon)
A lone offering, but all it takes is just one person to remember (photo Walter Lim)
Victor Lim, a brownie offered his own prayers of remembrance and respect to the earth deity at the Lorong Halwa gates. Bukit Brown to him is a place to remember his ancestors and affectionately as he is always wont to say “my playground”
Victor Lim : “I don’t know when we can meet again. Since the past 1 1/2 years, we have been meeting with those lonely souls every week. This morning we are departing from this endless, from a party that needs to be dispersed. Alas, we would still need to leave and this brings me good memory. I wish you all the best, bless you peace when you leave, and may this good luck come forth to your new home. We will think of you now and then, and we will be together , not forgetting the milestones of our social memories and roots.”
Brownie Victor Lim at Pre exhumation ritual (photo Raymond Goh)
And finally, all the way from London, Sugen Ramiah remembers Bukit Brown in his prayers at the Westminster Cathedral. His message : While Rev Fr Paul Staes said a prayer for the dead in Bukit Brown, I too lit up a candle and said a prayer for the dead in the Chapel of Holy Souls.
Eternal rest
grant unto them O Lord,
may perpetual light
shine upon them;
May they rest in peace. Amen
From Westminister Cathedral candles burning for Bukit Brown (photo Sugen Ramiah)
Amen, indeed amen. A ceremony that seem all to short, commemorates a farewell to those for whom Bukit Brown has been home for decades. We wish you all a safe and peaceful passage to your new homes.
Read Walter Lim’s blog on the rituals in Chinese here
A postscript. Thursday, 28 November 2013, was also the day the Roundabout became a Road.
Thursday, 28 November : The Roundabout becomes a Road (photo Raymond Goh)
Follow the path of destruction here
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