Speaking up for the Teochew speech and art

02月 16th, 2010 Posted in 特写

Speaking up for the Teochew speech and art

BEN TAN
2010/02/16

BEN TAN is able to trace the history of the clan, and enjoy its rich arts and cultural heritage at the inaugural Teochew Cultural Night

Other Chinese dialect groups such as the Cantonese and Hakka who also contributed to Johor Baru’s development were also included in the Teochew Cultural Night.

The Teochew Opera Troupe is enjoyed by the young and old. — Pictures by Hairul Anuar Rahim

The event is attended by all ages and races.

Volunteers selling traditional Teochew tapestries and rattan baskets.

TO promote Chinese culture, the Teochew Eight Districts Association (Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan) and the Johor Baru Chinese Federation recently showcased the first Teochew Cultural Night.Held in Jalan Tan Hiok Nee in the heart of Johor Baru city, the event highlighted the history and heritage of the Teochew immigrants who helped establish the city in the early-to-mid-1800s.

More than 1,500 people, mainly those from the Teochew community, and even those of other backgrounds, turned up for the event that was held along the two-kilometre lane.

 

The organisers presented an evening of Chinese cultural performances and history narration that started at 7pm and ended at 11pm.The event was held in conjunction with the Lunar New Year.

Among the performances were traditional Teochew art performances, Teochew opera and Teochew history narration.

Other Chinese dialect groups such as the Cantonese and Hakka who had contributed to the rich history of Johor Baru, were also featured.

Several roadside stalls proferred Teochew specialties like chui kueh and thor kueh. There were also stalls selling small items like satin tapestries and rattan goods from the Swatow region of China, where most of the Teochew are from.

The Teochew people are native to the Chaoshan and Swatow regions of eastern Canton in China and speak the Teochew dialect. The Teochew diaspora can be found around the world, especially in Southeast Asia, North America, Australasia and France.

According to Johor history, the Teochew, like most other Chinese that immigrated to Southeast Asia in the mid-1800s, came to Johor Baru looking for better opportunities.

Over time, the Teochew in Johor became the predominant Chinese clan in the state, and had also forged close ties to the state’s royal family. At one time, they enjoyed the patronage of Sultan Abu Bakar.

With the then sultan’s support, the enterprising Teochew, led by Johor Baru’s Major China Tan Hiok Nee, went on to dominate the Kangchu (or River Lord) system of cultivating pepper and gambier.

Teochew Eight Districts Association president Dr Tang Hai Chiang said the event was to promote Teochew culture and history in Johor Baru.

He said it was not easy to make the event a reality, but he hoped that the initial effort by his association would spur other Chinese-based associations and guilds to assist in making it a monthly affair.

Dr Tang said since the shifting of the CIQ to Stulang, the Johor Baru city centre has become less busy, especially in Jalan Tan Hiok Nee.

“In some ways, this is a good opportunity to promote this part of the city and at the same time pay tribute to Tan Hiok Nee,” he said.

Teochew Eight Districts Association youth chief Stanley Seng said Teochew Cultural Night was not only for the older generation, but an opportunity for the young to learn Teochew culture, dialect, opera, dance and music.

“The association’s youth wing was proactive in getting the event noticed on social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook.

“At the same time, the younger members promoted the event to family and friends,” he said.

Many of the members made it a point to converse in the dialect to promote the event.

Seng said the association had limited funds and hoped that the Johor government can assist in some ways to give the event continuity and use it as a form of tourist attraction.

“It takes about RM25,000 to organise such an event. To hold it once a month, we need some monetary assistance and help from other Chinese associations, he said.

He added that the Teochew Eight Districts Association will soon talk to the associations with the help of the Johor Baru Chinese Federation.