When the Chinese community came to Malaya in the 19th century, they brought the kongsi or clan system with them. It’s a tradition or practice characterised by cohesiveness and welfare.
That tradition led to the formation of associations with people from similar dialect groups or those from the same area in China.
The clans are often designated by surnames and they played an important role in the early social fabric of the Chinese community in the country. These societies provided lodgings for new migrants, cared for the sick, and assisted with funeral rituals.
The other tangible aspect of the kongsi system can be seen in the clan houses or temples, many of which are still standing tall today.
Prof Dr A. Ghafar Ahmad of Universiti Sains Malaysia’s School of Housing, Building and Planning, on the faculty’s website, described clan buildings as a place that served many social functions.
“These association buildings are intended for social gatherings, ethnic festivals and ceremonial functions, ” he said.
“Architecturally, a typical Chinese association building has one or two storeys, an ornamented clay-tile roof similar to the ones on the Buddhist temples, a big entrance door, a front porch typically large metal bars cover the windows which have both louvered panels and canopies, ” he continued.
In Penang especially, clan houses have become unique cultural and tourism landmarks in the island state. Various Chinese clan houses are peppered throughout George Town and many of them hold age-old history.The Khoo Kongsi, together with Cheah, Yeoh, Lim and Tan Kongsi, were known as the Five Big Clans (Goh Tai Seh) that formed the backbone of the early Hokkien community in Penang.
According to the George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI), Chinese kongsi in Penang are organisations that emphasise the importance of blood relations.
GWTHI has published A Guide To Selected Chinese Clan Houses In The George Town World Heritage Site, which provide succinct explanations of the many Chinese clans in Penang.
“In George Town they (the Chinese migrants) formed associations based on social, religious, regional, or clan associations as they realised the importance of unity in order to overcome the challenges of surviving in an unfamiliar environment, ” GWTHI explained in the guide.
Many of these clan houses also double as ancestral temples and are dedicated to patron deities.
“The ancestral temples of clan associations serve as places for worshipping clan ancestors and deities. Clan meetings in which clan regulations are decided also take place here, ” said GWTHI.
More than just a source of pride for the respective clans, the many clan houses and temples in the streets of George Town are great places to trace the history of early Chinese settlers in the country. We take a look at some of these majestic buildings.
Also known as Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi, this is one of the most well-known Chinese clan associations in Penang. If anything, the venue is more of a complex.
Khoo Kongsi consists of the Leong San Tong clan house, an administrative building with a meeting hall and offices, an opera stage, and 62 units of terrace houses and shophouses. There are three entrances here, with the main entrance at Cannon Street flanked by two green stone lions.
The main clan house for one, is a spectacular architectural feat that features many auspicious carvings and designs. The opulence of the building, which was built by craftsmen from China, reflects the prominent and wealthy status of the Khoo clan.
Inside, visitors will find pavilions and over 30 divine guardian statues throughout its interior. There are also murals depicting traditional birthday and wedding celebrations sprinkled throughout its interior.
The clan house is surrounded by a courtyard that contains former clan dwellings and a stage for cultural performances.
On the first day of the 11th lunar month, the Khoo clan observes Ancestors’ Remembrance Day. This is when new ancestral tablets are enshrined in the ancestral hall altar.
Here’s a fun fact: The clan house was one of the locations for the filming of the 1999 movie Anna And The King, starring Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-Fat.
Located in the block beside Khoo Kongsi is Cheah Kongsi, the oldest of the five great Hokkien clans in Penang. Its architecture resembles that of palaces and temples found in China.
But what makes the building truly unique is the fact that Cheah Kongsi is the only clan house that melds together design elements and styles of the Straits Chinese, European and Malay.
You can find the passage to this beautiful clan house in a narrow alley off Armenian Street. Once you are within the premises, you will be welcomed by a pretty front lawn.
The first thing you would probably notice about the double-storey Cheah Kongsi are the fascinating columns. They are topped with Western-style lion head statues.
If you look up, you will see a roof decorated with delicate Chinese and Dutch porcelain and intricate carvings of animals.
Cheah Kongsi is also a museum, with exhibits that showcase its century-old history. Find out when they are open for visitors in their Facebook page.
The full name of this association – Kew Leong Tong Lim – loosely translates to the “Hall of Nine Dragons”. It alludes to the nine sons of a particular Lim clan in China who were promoted to chief magistrates during the Tang Dynasty.
The clan building at Ah Quee Street is one of three Lim clan associations in Penang, and is considered the base.
The main shrine at Lim Kongsi is dedicated to Mar Chor Poh, the goddess of seafarers. It’s worth noting that Lim Kongsi is the only clan with a female patron deity. The goddess’ birthday is celebrated each year on the 23rd day of the third lunar month.
Unlike Khoo Kongsi and Cheah Kongsi which are open year-round to everyone, Lim Kongsi only hosts visitors during the Chinese New Year celebrations. Most of the time, the venue is locked and can only be accessed by clan members.
Outsiders can catch a glimpse of the admirable clan temple from the gate.
Or, if luck is on your side and you see the caretaker, ask nicely and you might be granted entry.
Believed to be the oldest clan house in Penang, the Eng Chuan Tong Tan Kongsi is commonly known as Tan Kongsi among locals.
The association acquired its first property in China Street as early as 1810 before moving to the present building at the Seh Tan Court in Beach Street. The present architectural structure of the kongsi was completed in 1878, making it over a century old.
The ancestral temple is devoted to Chen Yuanguang, the founder of Zhangzhou, and his two deputies, Generals Fushun and Fusheng.
Inside the building, visitors will find gold plates on parts of the wall with Chinese verses which tell of the Tan clan. There are also plaques of famous Tan personalities hung high near the ancestral tablets.
Some renowned personalities associated with the Tan clan in Penang included Tun Tan Siew Sin, the former Finance Minister. He was also the son of Tun Tan Cheng Lock who helped fight for the country’s independence.
The main structure of this association is a curious sight indeed. Located within the core zone of the George Town Unesco World Heritage Site, it is built in the style that blends together elements of art deco and Straits Chinese.
Although the building is not always open to public, the adjacent temple, Choo Chay Keong (also known as Yap Temple), is accessible.
The clan temple is relatively small compared to the other buildings around it, and is dedicated to the Yap clan’s patron deity, Hoay Che Chung Wang.
Ancestral tablets of the clan are also kept here.
Visitors are often astonished by the exquisite dragon pillars supporting the front porch of the temple. Another distinctive feature is the polygonal structure in front of the temple.
From the temple, you can explore other areas within the heritage enclave.
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