Mother’s Day – volunteer Guides Claire and Keng Kiat found half a dozen participants under the old rain tree despite the drizzle.
The day starts off with an alert from Hock Chuan that Hill 3 was not passable by cars:
Fallen tree in front of Chew Geok Leong with the iconic guards (Photo: Ang Hock Chuan)
Fallen tree in front of Chew Geok Leong with the iconic guards (Photo: Ang Hock Chuan)
Fortunately we are not heading that way.
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.
We start with a safety briefing and quick history and geography of the grounds, and show what is believed to be the largest single tomb in the area, Oon Chim Neo’s grave in Seh Ong Cemetery.
Oon Chim Neo before massive clean up , by 2 groups of students who laboured to reveal her grave for documentation. ( photo Chua Ai Lin)
Back at Bukit Brown, we kick off with an introduction to Tay Koh Yat and Fang Shan, covered in notes here.
Keng Kiat waxes lyrical at Tay Koh Yat's tomb (Photo: Claire Leow)
We will proceed to Block 5 to visit Lee Guay Eng, grandmother to one of the most important man in Singapore. She is none other than the paternal grandmother of the sitting president.
Mrs Tan Cheng Siong (photo: Claire Leow)
We take a leisure stroll to Block 2 to pay respect to Song Chwee Neo, a smiling matriarch.
Visiting Song Chwee Neo (Photo: Claire Leow)
The Smiling Matriarch, Song Chwee Neo (Photo: Claire Leow)
The Smiling Matriach (Photo: Claire Leow)
Taking in the sights at Hill 2 (Photo: Claire Leow)
Robin enjoys his spin around Hill 2 (Photo: Claire Leow)
We walk over to greet See Tiong Wah, the Municipal Commissioner whose delicately carved tomb will be removed for the proposed highway, which astonished the participants. In Keng Kiat’s view, this is the second most important tomb to be lost to the project (the most important being Khoo Seok Wan’s). Claire explained the Song Dynasty panels as she too lamented the loss of such heritage.
Keng Kiat muses at See Tiong Wah's tomb (Photo: Claire Leow)
The special for the day was introducing Lee Kim Soo, the matchbox entrepreneur.
At Lee Kim Soo's grave (Photo: Claire Leow)
We come around Block 1 and drop by Methodist Girls’ School first Chinese girl and Singapore’s first female doctor, Lee Choo Neo.
We also had the privilege of having Chew Keng Chuan with us to introduce his grandfather, the eldest son of Chew Boon Lay whose grave was found last month:
KC Chew at his grandfather's tomb (Photo: Claire Leow)
His grandfather died the year he was born so his sisters’ names are on the tomb’s headstone, and as he noted with humor, he is remembered as “etc”! There is a reference to K.C. on the tomb but it refers to the Kungfuzhi (Confucius) calendar.
Confucius calendar used: "KC" (Photo: Claire Leow)
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We are amateurs and volunteers, known as Brownies, but we are passionate and serious about what we do at Bukit Brown, and we encourage sharing of knowledge. Please share with us as you see fit.
The Beautiful Hill 2 of Bukit Brown Cemetery is resplendent history: tomb stones carved in China with facial relief so expressive they will speak to you through your guide Yik Han, whilst your other guide, Peter Pak will reveal hidden in green nooks, tombs guarded by Angels and Sikh Guards. And if you are lucky macaques may swing above in the canopy of trees and birdsong fill the air, as Hill 2 overlooks a beautiful valley. Sadly the proposed highway will sliced through here. So enjoy Hill 2 while you can.
Tombs of note on Hill 2 can be found here
This tour’s highlight is however the newly cleared and cleaned up tomb of Lee Kim Soo , an early manufacturer of match sticks.
Lee Kim Soo's tomb reveals swirls and geometric lines after clear up (photo Rosalind Tan)
Debut of Lee Kim Soo on atBB tours (Photo: Khoo Ee Hoon)
Volunteer guides, Peter and Yik Han, were joined by other Brownies on this May 12 guided tour.
The tour: Video here. (Credit: Albert Ong)
Peter Pak guiding (Photo: Ang Yik Han)
Yik Han, Peter, Keng Kiat and the tour participants (photo: Suki Singh)
And the horses and riders are back, after a break during Qing Ming (Photo: Suki SIngh)
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Also on the same day, after guiding, the volunteers aka Brownies helped some descendants re-unite with long-lost relatives:
A tomb find (Photo: Suki Singh)
Ms Teresa has found her grandfather, whose tomb Ah Lim helped to rebuild. On the same day, she found her grandmother too:
A tomb find (Photo: Suki Singh)
Miss Teresa is re-united with her grand mother. This find was done with the help of Suki, Peter Pak, Chew Keng Kiat. Miss Teresa thanks the Brownies sincerely from the bottom of her heart.
Tan Ka Po finds his ancestors, with guide Peter Park (Photo: Khoo Ee Hoon)
In the meantime, the descendants at what is commonly called the “naked angels’ tomb” finally turned up to solve the mystery of who this man was. We discover his two other wives are buried in front of his tomb. Now to find the other relatives.
Raymond engaged to find a tomb (Photo: Khoo Ee Hoon)
Raymond hikes up a hill to find a tomb (Photo: Khoo Ee Hoon)
Raymond disappears into the bush to find a tomb (Photo: Khoo Ee Hoon)
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The Bukit Brown area is about 233 acres in extent, bordered by Lornie Road, Lower 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 one of Singapore’s oldest Chinese cemetery. With >100,000 graves, Bukit Brown is also one of the largest Chinese cemeteries outside of China.
The volunteers, also known as Brownies, do research, plan the logistics and organize tours to help raise awareness of what is to be lost. Today’s Brownies were: Peter, Catherine, Raymond, Victor with his wife Doris, Keng Kiat and our honorable Sikh guard, Suki. Not in the photo: Yik Han (pictured below) and the photographer Ee Hoon.
Brownies (Photo: Khoo Ee Hoon)
Brownies Keng Kiat and Yik Han (Photo: Khoo Ee Hoon)
((Compiled by Claire Leow, with information provided by Suki Singh and Khoo Ee Hoon.)
Come celebrate Mother’s Day morning with our volunteer Guides: Claire and Keng Kiat (97903886), as they walk you around Bukit Brown and introduce you to some outstanding members of the fairer sex. Come with your grandmother, mother, daughter, granddaughter, etc, and find out that behind every successful man is … fill in the blanks yourself.
Time: 9am to 12pmMeeting Place: Under the big and beautiful, and possibly endangered, rain tree, at the Roundabout. After the main gate, go ahead another twenty metres, to the right of the SLA office
For information on how to get there and handy tips please visit
http://bukitbrown.com/
Oon Chim Neo's Grave before the massive clearing - (photo Chua Ai Lin) 2 Group of students laboured to clear and clean the tomb for documentation. Join the tour and behold the fruits of their labour
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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.
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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.
We will start with a safety briefing and quick history and geography of the grounds, and show you what is believed to be the largest single tomb in the area, Oon Chim Neo’s grave in Seh Ong Cemetery.
We will proceed to Block 5 to visit Lee Guay Eng, grandmother to one of the most important man in Singapore.
We will take a leisure stroll to Block 2 to pay respect to Song Chwee Neo, a smiling Matriach, and a lady closely related to two very important gentlemen.
We will come around Block 1 and drop by Methodist Girls’ School first Chinese girl, Singapore’s first female doctor, and a Malay lady buried in Bukit Brown as well.
The pace is leisurely so you can 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.
Special feature, just for this weekend only! A visit to Lee Kim Soo’s recently cleared tomb!
FB event page:
https://www.facebook.com/
Please take note:
1. We will be walking mainly on paved roads.
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.
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.
Polly and (photo: Lim Su Min)
My Ancestry at Bukit Brown by Lim Su Min.
Su Min & Stella on the laps of Mr and Mrs Lim Boon Heng (photo Su Min)
Saturday 21 April,9 am – 11 am.
I am Lim Su Min, a retired doctor and grandfather to 5 children. I have identified 7 direct ancestors buried at Bukit Brown going back 5 generations for me, 7 generations for my grandchildren. My ancestors reposing at Bukit Brown include the parents and grandparents of Dr. Lim Boon Keng and Tan Tock Seng’s son and grandson, Tan Kim Ching and Tan Boo Liat respectively.
Tan Tock Seng's tomb at Outram Road (photo Yeo Say Ann)
Dr. Lim Boon Keng himself was buried at Bidadari, disintered and ashes at Mt Vernon.
Tan Tock Seng’s tomb cluster stands out along Outram Road. Tan Boo Liat is the father of my grandmother Polly Tan, and Tan Kim Ching is grandfather of Tan Boo Liat. Into this alliance of two great families is the Seow connection. Mrs Seow Watt Chye is mother of my grandfather Seow Poh Leng;
Confused? Let me, Lim Su Min attempt to unravel for you my ancestry by sharing with
you personal stories on my heritage run to visit the tombs of my direct ancestors who are buried in Bukit Brown, share something about the surrounding habitat and some of the neighbours who are buried in the same location. I have invited tomb whisperer Raymond Goh to share some of his insights.
The Route for Lim Su Min’s Ancestry Trail at Bukit Brown Saturday 21st April 2012 covers the TAN- SEOW- LIM Family Connection scattered over various blocks in Bukit Brown.
The tomb stops include :
Tan Kim Ching, GGGGF (great,great,great, grandfather)
(neighbour to Cheang Hong Lim )
Seow Watt Chye GGM (great grandmother)
Tan Boo Liat GGF
Mr & Mrs Lim Mah Peng GGGGF/M
Mr & Mrs Lim Thean Geow GGGF/M
Tan Kim Ching (son of Tan Tock Seng) photo: Yeo Say Ann
Tan Boo Liat (photo: Claire Leow)
Highlights:
Tan Kim Ching (陳金鐘) (1829 -1892. ) Tan Tock Seng’s eldest son who recommended Anna Leonowens, as the teacher for children of King Mongkut of Siam ( King Rama IV) Buried in Changi, transferred to Bukit Brown (1940). One of Singapore’s earliest “diplomats” and much respected in the Siam court.
Tan Boo Liat, (1875-1934) built his home Golden Bell Mansion,10 Pender Road on Mount Faber, naming it after his grandfather. He was a strong supporter of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and member of the Singapore T’ung Meng Hui along with Lim Boon Keng. In 1920 he was awarded the title Phra Anukul Sayamkich by the Siam court.
Tan Boo Liat’s daughter Polly was the template for Emily of Emerald Hill, written by my sister Stella Kon ( nee Lim). To know that Polly was the niece who eventually married her aunt’s husband 12 years her senior, when the aunt passed away is to understand the complex forces at play in creating “Emily”
Polly and her husband, who was once married to her aunt (photo: Lim Su Min)
We are resuming weekend public tours as promised after Qing Ming from 21st April to May 13th. Our committed band of volunteer guides who will guide in pairs will be conducting tours over the next 4 weekends with standard times from 9 am – 11 am, meeting at the ‘ole raintree just as you enter the gates of Bukit Brown Cemetery. Please look out for updates on this page.
The only exception is the tour on Saturday 28th April which is jointly organised by AWARE – the womens’ group and bukitbrown.com and registration is recorded with a fee of $15 per head. Please scroll down for more information on this.
A reminder that there is a children’s heritage and habitat ramble by Nature Society on 21st April where registration is required
March 25 tour: at Tan Yong Thian's tomb with Rosalind (photo: Claire Leow)
Visit to Bukit Brown
28. April. 2012. Saturday
From 9.30am to 12noon.
Image by Tia of http://urbansketchers-
“Over half of the 20 million migrants who left China from 1840 to 1940 passed through Singapore. Many of them chose to live and work in Singapore. Singapore is thus a critical site in understanding all aspects of the history of the Chinese diaspora. This, in turn will help us to understand the important role of Singapore in the history of Asia over the last two hundred years.The graves at Bukit Brown are an important historical resource that can be found in few other parts of Asia, and in none that are so central as Singapore. It is greatly desirable that they can be preserved.”
Adam McKeown
Associate Professor of History
Columbia University
Come join us on a customised tour of some of the graves at Bukit Brown to understand tomb design, the symbolism for descendants, the inscriptions and what they tell us of Singapore’s early history, hear the stories and enjoy the delicate carvings in a lush setting of towering Albizzia trees, listen to stories about pioneering women and men who were supportive of education and equal rights for women. We will also touch on Bukit Brown as a battlefield during the war, where mass communal graves are found. Bukit Brown is an open classroom, a walk through history, a nature ramble.
This tour is organised jointly by all things Bukit Brown: Heritage. Habitat. History. Their educational blog, bukitbrown.com, is run by volunteers who share information for self-guiding tours and personal research.
This tour is open for AWARE members and volunteers only. Details of the tour are as follows:
Date: 28 April 2012, Saturday
Time: 9.30am to 12.00pm
Venue: Bukit Brown
Fees: S$ 15.00 per person
Please register with Evon at evon@aware.org.sg before 20 April 2012.
For more information on how to get there, safety tips, please click here
For maps that would help facilitate further visits after the introductory tours please click here
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