PLEASE NOTE THIS TOUR IS FULL
Join Jon Cooper, historian and archaeologist on the Adam Road Project
Sunday 17th November for the Battlefield tour.
Meeting point at the bridge on Sime Road entering Bukit Brown, opposite the SICC traffic light. Start time: 9 a.m. Ends at 11:30 a.m. Reply to this post to register for the tour.
This tour is limited to 15 persons. The size is kept small for safety reasons and for ideal interaction as Jon shares the maps, photos and stories of the battles. All things Bukit Brown is only the organizer as we support the work that Jon and his team are doing out of respect for our common heritage.
On Feb 15, 1942, Singapore fell just one week after Japanese forces landed. As they headed down south, fierce battles were fought in the Adam Park area and the fighting extended to Bukit Brown, then known as Cemetery Hill.
“On the evening of 14th February 1942, the rolling hills of the Bukit Brown Cemetery were suddenly engulfed in a barrage of flame and fire. It appeared like scene from Dante’s ‘Inferno’. ”
Jon Cooper, the battlefield archaeologist behind The Adam Park Project, wrote this gripping account as he retraced the battle ground route with all things Bukit Brown.
This is your chance to brush up on your history. Jon Cooper will take you through the paces. Don’t miss his energetic retracing of the movements on both sides, as we commemorate the fallen. You will be expected to do some walking in the sun, so wear good walking shoes and bring snacks and water. The tour ends at the Bukit Brown Cemetery, where you will see the graves among which the soldiers sheltered and fought.
Jon’s post on his interest in Bukit Brown and the missing soldiers is here.
For a visual guide to your route, cartographer Mok Ly Ying has done this wonderful guide map for you.
Previous tour reports here:
July 22 2012 tour here and here
June 17 2012 Father’s Day Special
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To help you plan your Sunday morning and enjoy the tour, you can follow this map of a previous one: https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=208524362450694978161.0004cc9d065f2a171893d&msa=0&ll=1.336901,103.817351&spn=0.003566,0.005681
Jon conducts the Battlefield Tour once a month, when time permits. For other war-related stories, you can join tours by All Things Bukit Brown on the heritage tours.
Han Yi Jie 寒衣节
By Victor Yue
4 November, 2013
Han Yi Jie, which means “warm clothing event”, is a Chinese tradition when the start of winter reminds the people that their ancestors and departed loved ones would also be experiencing the cold. And so, they make offerings of food and warm clothing for them.
In Singapore, where it is always warm (hot in fact), such a tradition hardly exists. But, Xuan Jiang Dian 玄江殿, a Chinese temple dedicated to Xuan Tian Shang Di (玄天上帝), known as God of the North, continues with this tradition. For a a long time now, every year without fail, on the first day of the tenth lunar month (moon), this temple, with its devotees would visit Bukit Brown Cemetery to make offerings to the wandering souls. To the Chinese, the first day of the 10th moon marks the beginning of Winter. (Wandering souls are souls of the departed who do not have anyone (descendants) making offerings to them)
This year the first day of the 10 lunar month, fell on 3 November. As has been their tradition, members of Xuan Jiang Dian 玄江殿 went to Bukit Brown Cemetery to make offerings to the wandering residents of the cemetery. This year saw a bigger offering. Could there have been an increase in the number of wandering souls? Devotees of the temple contributed warm clothings, money (in the form of joss papers) and food. Some Brownies also contributed towards the offering of the warm clothings (in the form of paper robes).
This year, Shan Cai Tong Zi 善才童子, through a spirit medium, came along to offer sermon (dharma) to the invited souls at the gathering by the Ole Rain Tree. Shan Cai Tong Zi is a deity who is one of the 500 assistants to Guan Yin.. In S.E,Asia, he is a popular deity who is trance by spirit mediums. He is only 3 years old and the older folks, especially old aunties, like him, because they can be less formal, unlike the warrior deities.
Shan Cai Tong Zi, through his ancient Hokkien and mudras offered blessings to the gathered souls. Offerings which ranged from various kinds of kueh kueh, joss sticks, coins to rice were made.
Shan Cai Tong Zi giving sermons to the gathered souls ( photo Victor Yue)
Shan Cai Tong Zi giving sermons to the gathered souls ( photo Theresa Teng)
Offerings which ranged from various kinds of kueh kueh, joss sticks, coins to rice were made.
Food offerings (photo Victor Yue)
Before the start of this event, respects were also accorded to the guardians of the hills.
Altar of the Deities responsible for the after-life (Victor Yue)
The warm clothings and money offerings (photo Victor Yue)
After the blessings and offerings to the wandering souls, it was time to bless the living souls who gathered to contribute towards this event. Good health and good luck were amongst them being blessed onto the members gathered. Members were offered the five different beans (known as Gor Tao 五豆 in Hokkien) to bring back home. A big “Huat Kueh” (a traditional Hokkien cake made with yeast and flour through steaming) that was made in the temple by members for this event was offered to all present to take bit to eat, for good luck and “jia peng an” (吃平安) meaning eating to get the peace”)。
Huat Kueh for all – Huat Ah! Huat Ah! (photo Victor Yue)
Remaining part of the Huat Kueh to be brought back to the temple (photo Victor Yue)
With the impending construction of the 8 lane highway through Bukit Brown, this is likely the last time that Han Yi Jie will be conducted at the ‘ole rain tree. But we still hope it will not be the last at Bukit Brown.
Lighting the way by the barricades erected in preparation of the start of exhumation (photo Andrew Lim)
Lotus Lights (photo Theresa Teng)
Devotees of Xuan Jiang Dian (photo Theresa Teng)
(photo Theresa Teng)
The burning of offerings ( Victor Yue)
Globalising the Local
( a forum organised by the Singapore Heritage Society)
4 November 2013
In December 2012 the historic Singapore Botanic Gardens became a nominee for UNESCO World Heritage site status. In October 2013 Bukit Brown was selected by the World Monuments Fund to be included in the 2014 World Monuments Watch list. Two equally deserving heritage sites on different pathways towards international recognition. What does it mean to be recognised as a World Heritage site or to be on the World Monuments Watch list? Are these new ways of thinking about the significance of heritage in Singapore? Can heritage give us insights into what being global means for Singapore and Singaporeans?
Join us at the Forum where we will hear expert speakers explain the meaning and significance of these developments.
Please register early as seats are limited:
https://
10 November 2013, 2-4pm
Ngee Ann Auditorium, Asian Civilisations Museum
Moderator
Dr Chua Ai Lin – President of the Singapore Heritage Society
Speakers
Dr Kevin YL Tan – President, ICOMOS Singapore
Dr Ian Chong – Political Scientist
Ms Faizah Jamal – Nominated Member of Parliament
Dr Lai Chee Kien – Architect
The Victorian Learning Journey at Bukit Brown
We did all we could in the name of education. As educators, our team believe we do have an obligation to do justice to our subject – History. Since Bukit Brown is a living classroom, it is thus a fecund ground for teaching and learning of History and across other subjects such as nature. We can’t let this opportunity slip away; rather late, but better than never.
We are truly proud of our student guides. They did an excellent job. They were so passionate and they fretted when the rain wouldn’t stop at 2 pm yesterday. The IP Year 2 guides, who are the younger ones (age 14), took the initiative to even share on the bus with their classmates while the rain was pelting on the roof and windows of the bus. When the rain stopped, they were so happy and eager to lead their peers out to meet Ong Sam Leong and all. Good kids. At the end of it all, I thanked them and encouraged them to volunteer as guides if their time permits. They seemed keen.
Victoria student guide at Tan Boon Hak Steven Toong
Victoria School at Ong Sam Leong ( photo Steven Toong )
A touch of whimsey students led by “coolie” guide (photo Steven Toong)
The teacher’s car which served as a “bulletin board” for the mini posters (photo Steven Toong)
Victoria teachers and students after a “training” session 2 weeks earlier (photo Steven Toong)
Caricatures of Fabian and Steven after a “training session” sketched by one of the boys.
Caricature Fabian
Caricature Steven
Nov 2nd, Saturday. Time: 8.30am – 11.30am Meeting place: Under the ‘ole, beautiful and endangered rain tree, on your left just as you enter the gates
Fabian and Steven will introduce you to some notable pioneers who have made great contributions to Singapore and the region in the first half of the 20th century, and the historical context of their lives and times. They will also explain tomb architecture and the significance to the after life.
Please note there will be a crew from CNA who will be filming the guides during this walkFor information on how to get there and handy tips please visit
http://bukitbrown.com/
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.
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