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It was at the turn of the 20th century when
Leong Kiow Hin 每 a young man barely in his teens 每 left the Chinese city
of Zhongshan in Guang Dong province to embark on a treacherous
three-month journey to Nanyang (literally the ※Southern Seas§ or
geographical region south of China, particularly Southeast Asia). |
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Armed with Chinese travel documents and
dreams of a better life, he sailed on a ship overcrowded with hundreds
of other Chinese hopefuls. Once here, he eked out a living in the
textile industry like many of his fellow Cantonese countrymen. |
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Narrowly escaping death during the Japanese
Occupation, he was forced to perform hard labour. When the British
government liberalised citizenship requirements in 1957, he decided to
lay down roots here in Singapore and became a citizen. |
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Leong Kiow Hin was just one of millions of
Chinese who left home to fulfil their dreams of a better future, having
every intention of returning and dying on home soil but unwittingly
becoming a lifelong migrant. |
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His story mirrors that of many other migrants 每
from their long walk from village to dock, surviving the floating hell over
stormy seas, to their choice of occupation in their adopted country, the
strong ties forged with clan associations who provided them with protection in
a foreign land, and social ties to others of the same dialect group. |
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But unlike the countless number of faceless
migrants whose unique stories may never be told, Leong Kiow Hin＊s
journey has been recorded for posterity and chronicled in the Hua Song
Museum, thanks to the generosity of his eldest son, Leong Tai Loong. |
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The younger Mr Leong had read about Hua
Song＊s appeal for donations of artefacts in early 2004 and had promptly
contacted the museum. He generously gave of some family treasures that
he had kept for close to 70 years on one condition 每 that the museum
never sells them. |
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Among those treasures were a travel document
issued by the Qing Dynasty and a suitcase used by his father when he
first set sail to the South Seas, travel documents to Batavia (now known
as Jakarta in Indonesia) where he travelled to frequently to trade in
textiles, a life-saving pass that saved him from certain death during
Sook Ching Operation, amongst other documents and tools of his textile
trade. |
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Besides the Leong family, clan associations
and community groups from the United States of America, Tahiti,
Australia, Malaysia and Singapore have also been generous in providing
information, artefacts and helping to piece together the story of
Chinese immigrants worldwide. |
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The Hua Song museum has to date gathered
about 500 artefacts and close to 1,000 exhibits. Amongst some of these
items donated or on loan by the clans are a well-preserved trunk used to
store Chinese opera costumes, an incense burner, marriage registers
complete with photos of wedded couples, school text books and
photographs. |
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These items tell of the significant role
played by the clan associations. Not only did clans provide people of
the same surname, district or dialect group with a place to stay and get
financial assistance, but they also played a religious, cultural, social
and educational role for the millions of overseas Chinese, helping them
maintain ties with their community and easing their transition to a
foreign land. |
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The stories in Hua Song bring to life the
dreams, sacrifices, fortitude and achievements of the Chinese who left
their families and homeland to become railworkers in Panama, goldminers
in Australia or market gardeners in America. |
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The one common thread running through the
stories of these overseas Chinese 每 of which more than 80% are located
in Southeast Asia 每 is a sense of flexibility, adaptability and
community. |
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※In their time, our forefathers travelled
great distances, surviving on sheer grit and perseverance, in search of
a better life. Today, global migration of all ethnic groups continues. I
believe both Chinese and non-Chinese can identify with and appreciate
the many every-day heroes featured in the Hua Song story and
undoubtedly, it will also add to the variety of Singapore＊s cultural
tourism offerings. We are especially grateful to all the generous
individuals, families and clan associations who readily stepped up to
support Hua Song with information and artefacts when we made our first
public appeal in May 2004,§ said Dr Chan Tat Hon, Assistant Chief
Executive (Leisure), Singapore Tourism Board. |
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Mrs Pamelia Lee, Consultant, Singapore
Tourism Board, added, ※The story of the overseas Chinese does not stop
but continues to unfold and evolve. To fully portray the ever-changing
roles of overseas Chinese, Hua Song will continue in its efforts to
record the stories of oversees Chinese through artefacts and other
relevant information. While the progression from short-term sojourner to
lifelong migrant is a constant thread for many, each story is unique. We
welcome you to take a leaf from the Leong family and share the story of
your forefathers. In this way, not only will you keep their memory alive
but you will also inspire many others with the tales of their
determination and perseverance.§ |
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The Hua Song museum is intended to cater to
a diverse audience ranging from international visitors to locals.
Travellers exploring Asia will find it especially interesting for the
insight that the museum provides on the overseas Chinese experience. |
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With the opening of Hua Song, the overall
Haw Par Villa visitor experience is also set to be enhanced. This is in
line with the Singapore Tourism Board＊s aim to make every visit to an
attraction a memorable one, even for repeat visits. As such, existing
attractions are encouraged to constantly update and enhance their
offerings to meet the evolving needs of visitors. |
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Hua Song is managed by the Singapore
Explorer Pte Ltd, a company which specialises in heritage tours such as
the Labrador Park Secret Tunnels, The Singapore Trolley Sightseeing Bus
and The Singapore River Boat Tour. |
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※With Hua Song Museum, we hope to share the
stories and experiences of international Chinese migrants with both
locals and visitors from all over the world. Singapore Explorer is happy
to be associated with Hua Song and will continue to find innovative and
exciting ways to showcase the museum,§ said Mr Francis Phun, Chairman,
Singapore Explorer Pte Ltd. |
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Hua Song is now open to the public.
Individuals and tour groups can visit from Tuesdays to Sundays from 12pm
to 7pm. It will also open for visitors during the Chinese New Year.
Admission prices are SGD8 per adult and SGD5 per child. |
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Please also see
Annex for Description of Hua Song Museum Exhibition Halls. |
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More..... |
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Source:
www.stb.gov.sg Press Release 21 Dec
2005 |
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Notice |
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Our FrontPage
Editions are a historical record of our Web site and reflect
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FrontPage Edition: Wed 28 Dec 2005
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