Qing Ming in Bukit Brown (2024)

Bukit Brown is once again busy with many descendants arriving to pay respects to their ancestors. It is a good reminder yet again that it is a living an breathing space where intangible cultural heritage practices of ancestral worship is continued to be practiced. 

I was fortunately to meet the Ang family, who have been coming yearly to pay respects to their great grandmother, Madam Chia Ow Bee who passed in the 1930s and is buried in Block 3, Division 4, plot 869. 

I am thankful for their blessing in allowing me to take a photo log of their Qing Ming for Madam Chia. 

Madam Chia, like many according to the Ang's where migrants from China seeking fortunate in Singapore. She married an Ang and had children but unfortunately she passed away in her 30's when her children were still young. Whatever happened next is beyond me, but for what i observed today, her grandchildren and great grandchildren love and filial piety for her transcends time. 

Setting up the offerings and getting ready to pray 

Getting ready to pay respect

Paying respect by lighting of joss sticks

Beautiful and colorful offerings fill the tomb of Madam Chia Ow Bee

Paying respect by lighting of joss sticks

Paying respect by lighting of joss sticks

Getting ready to check whether their ancestor has finishing eating

Preparing to light up the paper offerings 

Once the Ang's confirmed that Madam Chia has finished eating, they started preparing the paper offerings for burning.

Clearly writing who this treasure box is for

Huat ah ! (this photo is courtesy of Xu Meibao)