| Description |
A huge gap in the ecosystem is that despite the important roles the Chinese clan associations play in Singapore’s nation-building and promotion of cultural understanding, many younger generation Singaporean are not aware of their existence, much less their relevance. According to the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations in 2017, “more than half of the clan associations are in danger of fading away, if they do not actively attract younger members”. This project addresses this important gap by creating ground-up initiatives which could spur interest amongst the public and actively engage the youth to continue the lifeline of Chinese clan associations. Moreover, the aged clan members are living treasure troves to our past. However, there hasn’t been sufficient projects that tap into their knowledge about our less-known food history, traditions, and customs. This project serves as a stepping stone to spark conversations and ignite interest in uncovering more about our rich Singaporean food heritage before they are lost in the time.
Having spent more than half her life with clan associations, Lynn Wong is passionate about uncovering and sharing the lesser-known Singaporean Chinese clan heritage with the youth. She is the project director of Ho Yeah Festival (the first-ever Cantonese and Hakka festival in Singapore), as well as the recipient of the inaugural Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA) Outstanding Youth Award in 2017.
Texts
Qingming Festival is a time for ancestor veneration and tomb sweeping. There is a popular saying, “Of all virtues, filial piety comes first.” Ancestor veneration is an important Chinese tradition. During Qingming Festival, descendants will make ancestral offerings to express their love and gratitude. Our Singapore Hakka forefathers from the Wui Chiu Prefecture have a must-have Qingming traditional snack – the Mugwort Kueh. Families coming together to wrap Mugwort Kueh is a more than 1000-year-old tradition of the Wui Chiu people. The mugwort leaf is said to be a miracle herb that can cure all kinds of diseases. |
