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The Rojak Librarian is a blog that covers a range of topics related to Singapore's history, culture, and heritage. I wrote many articles on Bukit Brown, exploring the cemetery's past and present, the lives of the early pioneers buried there and the social and cultural significance of the site. I also cover about nature and birdwatching.

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Showing posts with the label Figs

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Kang Boon Foo (Bukit Brown)

Door Gods Figs Hill 1 +0 video

Door Gods Figs Hill 1 video

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Rojak Librarian (Peter Pak): Advocate for Conservation of Bukit Brown Cemetery. Heritage and Nature Enthusiast.

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Resource Guide on Bukit Brown

History from the Hills (2013)

Newspaper mentions (2014)

Newspaper mentions (2017)

Tuesday Report (2018) 星期二特写 | 行脚。发现第4集：武吉布朗之旅

Newspaper mentions(2022)

Grave Matters-The Greater Bukit Brown(2023)

Newspaper mentions(2024)

Newspaper mentions(2024)

The Stories Behind: Birdwatcher turned grave hunter reunites families with forgotten tombs of their ancestors(2022)

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Mrs. Tan Jim Puan nee Madam Goh Kay Neo (Bukit Brown)

Mrs. Tan Jim Puan nee Madam Goh Kay Neo passed away on 10 October 1926 and was buried in Bukit Brown on 25 October 1926. She was 74 years old when she passed away. I have no information as yet about her and her family, so what is most unique in her tomb (which recently was cleaned up so beautifully by her descendants) are the pair of "Door Gods" (门神). Mrs. Tan Jim Puan nee Madam Goh Kay Neo and a pair of "Door Gods" 门神 Door gods, or 门神 (Menshen), are traditional guardians depicted on the doors of Chinese temples and homes.These figures are deeply rooted in Chinese folk religion and culture, serving both spiritual and symbolic purposes. Who Are the Door Gods The Martial Door Gods- Often depicted as fierce warriors, they are believed to ward off evil spirits and protect the premises. Common figures include deified generals like Qin Shubao (秦琼) and Yuchi Gong / Yuchi Jingde (尉迟恭 , who were popularized during the Tang Dynasty. The Civil Door Gods: These are gentler fig...

Tan Swee Hoe and family (Batu Pahat)

Sometime back in August 2012, i wrote an article about Tan Swee Hoe who is buried in Bukit Brown. Tan Swee Hoe came to Singapore as a young boy and worked his way up, eventually becoming one of founders of Ho Hong Bank, and later a director of Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC) after it merged with it. He was also for two terms, the president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Batu Pahat, shareholder of Ho Aik Steamships. Tan Swee Hoe was a member of the Council of State, Johore and received a title S.M.J (Setia Mahkota Johore) from the government of Johore in 1929 for his contributions. He owned several property in Singapore and Batu Pahat. Tan Swee Hoe In January 2014, i was fortunate to make a trip with like minded friends to Batu Pahat to visit one of the properties he owned as well as a temple he contributed too and finally the grave of his son. Tan Swee Hoe's mansion First on my wishlist was Tan Swee Hoe's mansion on 160 Jalan Kluang, Batu Paha...

Neo Pee Wan and family (Bukit Brown)

The beautiful tomb with decorative tiles in Hill 4 Division C, plot 1342 belongs to Mr and Mrs Neo Pee Wan. Mrs Neo Pee Wan nee Madam Peck Imm Neo alias Kerchee passed away at the age of 47 on 26 April 1939 while Mr Neo Pee Wan passed away at the age of 70 on 14 February 14, 1958. From the tomb, the names of their children: Sons: Neo Poh Chuan, Neo Poh Choon, Neo Poh Cheng, Neo Poh Chong Daughters: Neo Ann Neo, Neo Poh Neo Grandsons: Soon Howe, Soon Kim, Soon Heng, Soon Chye Grand-daughters: Lian Neo, Sok Cheng, Sok Yee, Seok Gek The funeral of Mrs. Neo Pee Wan nee Madam Peck Imm Neo alias Kerchee took place on Sunday from her residences, 35-C, Everitt Road off Joo Choo Place to Bukit Brown. Among those who send wreaths, were Neo Pee Teck. (It is from this and blog mentions that Neo Pee Wan and Neo Pee Tec k are likely brothers). The obituary notice of Nee Peo Wan lists that he passed away on the morning of 14th February 1958 in his residence at 22 Cassia Drive...

Kang Boon Foo (Bukit Brown)

Kang Boon Foo (江文傳) double tomb (husband and wife) is unique not only because of its Door gods, or 门神 (Menshen) but as you can see it is danger of being "swallowed" up at one side by a huge red-stem fig which buttress is slowly squeezing one of the Door God. Fig tree swallowing up the tomb of Mrs. Kang Boon Foo Taken at a different time, you can see the figs on the buttress of the tree Door Gods of Kang Boon Foo Door gods, or 门神 (Menshen), are traditional guardians depicted on the doors of Chinese temples and homes.These figures are deeply rooted in Chinese folk religion and culture, serving both spiritual and symbolic purposes. Who Are the Door Gods The Martial Door Gods- Often depicted as fierce warriors, they are believed to ward off evil spirits and protect the premises. Common figures include deified generals like Qin Shubao (秦琼) and Yuchi Gong / Yuchi Jingde (尉迟恭 , who were popularized during the Tang Dynasty. The Civil Door Gods: These are gentler figures,...

Tan Swee Hoe mansion in Batu Pahat

The status of Tan Swee Hoe's mansion at 160 Jalan Kluang, Batu Pahat was finally revealed! The mansion that was once owned by Tan Swee Hoe's descendants was sold and the rumors circulating at one point of time was it was going to be demolished. In fact various readers of my blog sent me pictures of the mansion after it was sold where the rooftop of the building and the interiors was completely stripped. Tan Swee Hoe's mansion (minus the roof) Well it was finally revealed in various Malaysian papers ( Sin Chew Daily , Johor China Press ) that it was purchased by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, the Sultan of Johor. It was reported in the papers that the Sultan of Johor plans to restore the building and turn it into a Heritage Centre featuring the artefacts of the Johor Chinese community as well as as artefacts from China as a strong symbol to reaffirm the long relationship between the Johor Sultanate and China. About Tan Swee Hoe Tan Swee Hoe T...

Kamala Circus - The Great Indian Circus visits Singapore

I heard about the Tai Thean Kew circus from my involvement with Bukit Brown and during one my tours on the Queenstown Heritage Trail , i was told of another Indian circus troupe that existed in the late 1950's and 1960's. Recently, while curating ideas for a Bukit Brown tour on Pioneers of Early Entertainment, i came across a travelling circus troupe by the name of Kamala Circus. Kamala Circus (source: NewspaperSG) Kamala Circus was reputed to be the largest travelling show in the Far East. It boasted over 100 Indian artist and featured acts such as the flying trapeze act, the "Globe of Death" motor cycle act by two young girls, a 30 foot leap by a motorcyclist and the "cat" act. It claims over 300 tons of equipment and animals which include 16 horses, 8 Ceylon baby elephants, an African lion and 2 lionesses, 2 tiger cubs and 3 Indian mountain goats. It came to Singapore in 1947 from India via Ceylon and performed for a month before touring around th...

Muslim tombstone at Bidadari Park

I have been visiting again Bidadari after the Bidadari Park reopened to residents surrounding the neighbourhood as well as the birding community. I haven birding in that area before its closure almost 8 years ago and during that time, i still do see remnants of old batu nisan at the Muslim section at the cemetery. While bird watching today, i also kept a look on the grounds to see if any headstones remain and to my surprise i found one large one which documented. This was found on the park grounds closer to Bidadari Park Drive and surprisingly just next to the walking path. Muslim tombstone / Batu Nisan at Bidadari Park - 18 December 2024 Past Discoveries Below are some of my observations of the space during 2012 to 2016 time line. Grave stone markers (E404 and G 239 ) Past post on Bidadari Trumpter Hornbill in Bidadari (April 18, 2016), posted on April 19, 2016 Birdwatching in Bidadari (January 10, 2016), posted on January 20, 2016 Birdwatching in Bi...

Kwa Siew Tee and family (Choa Chu Kang Christian Cemetery)

Kwa Siew Tee, a Semarang born Chinese was a Municipal Commissioner (an appointment he held till 1949). He was also the General Manager of Overseas Chinese Bank Corporation Limited, Assistant General Manager of The Eastern United Assurance Corporation, Limited and a Member of the Hospital Board. He received a Certificate of Honour in 1951. Kwa Siew Tee passed away at the age of 89 on 20 March 1977. Group photo of the founding of Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation in 1932 Kwa Siew Tee is standing behind. (source: National Archives of Singapore) Family Kwa Siew Tee and family (source: National Archives of Singapore) Wife: Madam Wee Yew Neo Madam Wee Yew Neo is the daughter of Wee Theam Seng . She passed away on 14 May1980. She is survived by; 3 sons: Kwa Soon Siew, Kwa Soon Chuan, Kwa Soon Bee 4 daughters: Kwa Geok Neo, Kwa Geok Lan, Kwa Geok Choo, Kwa Geok Eng. Son: Kwa Soon Hock Kwa Soon Hock is the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Kwa Siew Tee. He was a sta...

Qing Ming - Five-colored paper

During Qing Ming, even if you are passive observer, you will noticed visited tombs with colored papers placed on tomb mount an/ or the headstone. Some are just strewn randomly behind while others follow a pattern of 5 color papers being grouped together. Whatever the individual descendant family practice, from what i read from online sources and asked through oral accounts from descendants is the act of placing the colored papers (called ya zhi (压纸) ) on top of the headstone is symbolic of the fact that this tomb is well taken care of by the filial descendants. The paper typically have 5 colors, representing the 5 elements (Fire, Earth, Gold, Wood and Water) and / or the 5 cardinal directions (North, South, East. West and Centre). 5 colored paper with stones to hold them down Five colored paper on the grave as well on top of the headstone 5 colored paper on headstone Note: None of the perspectives expressed here represent singular truths given the syncretic nature of Chinese...

Another escapee bird (King Quail)

Interestingly enough, we found another escapee bird, the second one this year ! Roughly three months ago on March 19 , i found on the void deck in my area a Green Cheeked Conure and called ACRES ( Animals Concerns Research and Education Society ) for help. Last night, my neighbour saw a bird and together we managed to corner it just outside my house ! The bird was not weak but was indeed very shy and very difficult to catch because of its small size and it manage to hide in various corners of the common corridor areas. After finally securing it, i called ACRES again fearing that this escapee (probably someone's pet would be killed by a cat or dog eventually). The volunteer on duty picked up the phone and wa sat my doorstep within 40 minutes ! Yet again amazing work from this group of volunteers. Initially i thought the bird was a button quail, but later after asking a experience bird photographer, i found out it was a King Quail or Blue-breasted Quail (Coturnix ...

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