Translated from 《大眼鸡 越洋人》, a book shortlisted for 2018 Singapore Literature Prize (creative non-fiction, Chinese) by the Singapore Book Council. This book is dedicated to the Cantonese pioneers who voyaged to Nanyang and contributed to the contemporary Singapore. The term guanghuizhao (广惠肇, referring to Guangzhou 广州, Huizhou 惠州 and Zhaoqing 肇庆) for Cantonese is not only a geographical concept, but also a century-old brand in Singapore. Over generations, Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng and Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital remain immovable in Singapore, and the Yangzheng Foundation continues to serve the people, breaking a stereotypical view of the community, in which ‘the first generation establishes, the second generation preserves, the third generation squanders, and the fourth generation loses everything’. Nowadays, interracial marriages are common in Singapore and marriages between different dialect groups are beyond count. The younger generations have a vague awareness of their origins and many of them could barely communicate in their dialects. One could only wonder what the future will bring for these Chinese associations that were set up by the forefathers of various dialect groups.
Chen Poh Seng''s great grandfather lived in Pulau Tekong, his 50-over cousins were born and educated there. He lived in Changi Point which is 30 minutes away by ferry. Lee Leong Sze is a Malaysian, graduated from the Department of History, National Chong Hsing University, Taiwan, obtained PhD in Singapore. Two researchers met in August 2005. They shared the same interest in studying the history of Pulau Tekong. During the study, they had full support and encouragement from former residents. The book describes how Pulau Tekong Island developed during the early 20th century. It describes where the ethnic groups came from, how they settled down, worked and lived together, and the relationship among different ethnic groups, like the Malay and Chinese (including Hakka and Chouchouese) over the years. Finally, the book finds out how and why the villages vanished. The final chapter outlines the outstanding citizens from Pulau Tekong and reviews how they merged with the main stream of Singapore society after leaving the offshore island.
Chen Poh Seng's great grandfather lived in Pulau Tekong, his 50-over cousins were born and educated there. He lived in Changi Point which is 30 minutes away by ferry.Lee Leong Sze is a Malaysian, graduated from the Department of History, National Chong Hsing University, Taiwan, obtained PhD in Singapore. Two researchers met in August 2005. They shared the same interest in studying the history of Pulau Tekong. During the study, they had full support and encouragement from former residents.The book describes how Pulau Tekong Island developed during the early 20th century. It describes where the ethnic groups came from, how they settled down, worked and lived together, and the relationship among different ethnic groups, like the Malay and Chinese (including Hakka and Chouchouese) over the years. Finally, the book finds out how and why the villages vanished. The final chapter outlines the outstanding citizens from Pulau Tekong and reviews how they merged with the main stream of Singapore society after leaving the offshore island.
Chen Poh Seng's great grandfather lived in Pulau Tekong, his 50-over cousins were born and educated there. He lived in Changi Point which is 30 minutes away by ferry. Lee Leong Sze is a Malaysian, graduated from the Department of History, National Chong Hsing University, Taiwan, obtained PhD in Singapore. Two researchers met in August 2005. They shared the same interest in studying the history of Pulau Tekong. During the study, they had full support and encouragement from former residents. The book describes how Pulau Tekong Island developed during the early 20th century. It describes where the ethnic groups came from, how they settled down, worked and lived together, and the relationship among different ethnic groups, like the Malay and Chinese (including Hakka and Chouchouese ) over the years. Finally, the book finds out how and why the villages vanished. The final chapter outlines the outstanding citizens from Pulau Tekong and reviews how they merged with the main stream of Singapore society after leaving the offshore island.
Chen Poh Seng's great grandfather lived in Pulau Tekong, his 50-over cousins were born and educated there. He lived in Changi Point which is 30 minutes away by ferry.Lee Leong Sze is a Malaysian, graduated from the Department of History, National Chong Hsing University, Taiwan, obtained PhD in Singapore. Two researchers met in August 2005. They shared the same interest in studying the history of Pulau Tekong. During the study, they had full support and encouragement from former residents.The book describes how Pulau Tekong Island developed during the early 20th century. It describes where the ethnic groups came from, how they settled down, worked and lived together, and the relationship among different ethnic groups, like the Malay and Chinese (including Hakka and Chouchouese) over the years. Finally, the book finds out how and why the villages vanished. The final chapter outlines the outstanding citizens from Pulau Tekong and reviews how they merged with the main stream of Singapore society after leaving the offshore island.
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