Clan Visit: The Youthful Energy of Singapore Kityang Huay Kuan

Reproduced with permission of Nathan Co, author & founder of Chinese Ancestry Research

Clan Visit: The Philanthropy of Leong Khay Huay Kuan

“We’re Roping in the Clan and Hometown Associations!”
The Youthful Energy of Singapore Kityang Huay Kuan 新加坡揭陽會館
July 19, 2024

Just a fortnight ago, Chinese Ancestry Research unleashed a riveting tale on the origins of the Teochew peoples, stirring the hearts of many. Among those captivated was Mr. Leonard Tan, a dynamic force within the youth wing of Singapore Kityang Huay Kuan 新加坡揭陽會館. Driven by a fiery passion to bridge the past with the future, Leonard extended an invitation to their grand headquarters. The mission: to forge a bold alliance aimed at rekindling the flames of ancestral pride and curiosity among the youth and descendants of the Chinese diaspora.

Yesterday was the momentous day! With our esteemed partner, Genealogy Society Singapore 新加坡族譜學會, led by the visionary Mr. Ng Yew Kang 黃友江, we walked through the hallowed gates of Kityang Huay Kuan. The reception was nothing short of regal — Leonard and his entourage of key officers, including the spirited youth wing, greeted us with open arms. Introductions were exchanged, setting the stage for an epic gathering of minds and hearts.

For the uninitiated, JiēYáng 揭陽 stands as one of the triumphant triad of cities — alongside Cháozhōu 潮州 and Shàntóu 汕頭 — forming the sacred heart of the Teochews in northeastern Guangdong, near the Fujian 福建 frontier. The grand vision of a society dedicated to the welfare of JiēYáng natives was conceived in the tumultuous year of 1941. Despite the dark clouds of the Japanese invasion, the indomitable spirit of its founders prevailed, upholding diligently its mission to “care for its members and foster mutual support and friendship.”

For more than eight decades, the Singapore Kityang Huay Kuan 新加坡揭陽會館 — with “Kityang” echoing the Teochew pronunciation of JiēYáng 揭陽 — has stood as a bastion through the ravages of World War II, the crucible of Singapore’s early years, and its meteoric rise. For the venerable elders, Kityang Huay Kuan was a sanctuary of nostalgia, where shared trials forged unyielding unity. Here, members pooled resources to uplift their compatriots, and the deep-rooted connection to their heritage was celebrated — a theme central to our quest.

The air crackled with energy as discussions ignited. Kityang Huay Kuan Vice President Mr. Tay Peng Suan 鄭炳山 regaled us with tales of his family genealogy tracing back 90 generations, both in Singapore and China. Yet, the labyrinth of lineage poses challenges for many, while others yearn to compile their genealogies but are adrift without guidance. Kityang Huay Kuan’s treasure trove of family histories and genealogies, as suggested by Mr. Ng Yew Kang, could enrich the National Library, weaving the fabric of Singapore’s historical saga

We shared our chronicles of helping people unearth their family trees, crafting ancestral sagas, and bolstering the success of heritage hunts. The synergy was electric, and both sides vowed to fuel this collaborative endeavor. Our shared vision is to ignite a renaissance of pride and filial duty, urging descendants to trace their roots back to China and honor the sacrifices that forged their destinies.

Time, our relentless companion, slipped away as we reveled in this exhilarating exchange. We parted with hearts alight, inspired by the boundless energy of Kityang Huay Kuan’s new generation. This alliance marks the dawn of a thrilling journey, a swashbuckling adventure into the annals of ancestry, poised to uncover the epic tales of those who came before us.

We arrived as seekers, and we departed as champions of heritage, ready to awaken the world to the grandeur of our roots.

To read the original article, click 这里