UNINESS

The Story of Bagan Parit Baru

Bagan Parit Baru is a small fishing village with only 60 households, with a population of around 300 people. The fishing village is located at the northmost point of Selangor at the northwest border, separated by Sungai Bernam from Hutan Melintang fishing village in Perak. The majority of villagers make a living by fishing, therefore the houses are mostly built along the seashore. Most of the village inhabitants originated from TeoChew, 90% of them having the surname Kee, hence also known as the Kee village.

According to dictation from elders, if calculating since the establishment of SJK (C) Poay Chneh, the opening of Bagan Parit Baru port has been almost 90 years. At the beginning there was only one house in the village, gradually the numbers increased. Therefore the villagers used to refer to the village as “single cottages” (in TeoChew dialect), instead of “Parit Baru”. There is not much infrastructure and facilities in the fishing village, only two temples and one grocery store, nevertheless the authentic seafood restaurant attracts a multitude of tourists who come all the way just for the food.

At times when the tidal waves are especially strong, the front of the houses will be flooded, thus being the best entertainment for kids, jumping fearlessly into the water to play. The simple and quiet fishing village offers a comfortable lifestyle, however it faces the same problem of population outflow as other rural villages. The booming scene of about a hundred households in the olden days were no longer, now that people left and their houses dismantled, leaving behind wooden stakes, as the ocean breeze swept over the remains of the boom.

Text: Daniel Lim & Pua Hui Wen

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Mok Yii Chek
Coordinator : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Evon Pang
Drone : Daniel Lim
Video Editor : Amelia Lim
Production Assistant : Michael Lerk
Music : Out My Window 120 from Elias Music

COPYRIGHTS 2019 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD

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Hong Sun Sek Temple in Port Dickson

Hong Sun Sek Temple in Port Dickson has been established for around 120 years, and is one of the oldest temples in Port Dickson. In olden days the temple was built on a small scale, its former spot (now dismantled) not far from the current address, eventually shifting due to the increase in devotees. The shift happened more than 60 years ago, and the temple is still attended by many devotees. The principal deity worshipped in the temple is Lord GuǎngZé, on the main altar sits a statue of Lord GuǎngZé worshipped since the establishment of the temple, an important relic of the temple, extremely valuable.

Lord GuǎngZé is one of the deities worshipped by China folk, he was a shepherd who is smart and filial, hence being known as the world’s most filial son in folklore. His unique appearance of having his right leg curled up but his left leg hanging down is said to be caused by his reluctant mother holding onto his left leg trying to stop him from ascending to heaven when he was 16 years old.

Hong Sun Sek Temple in Port Dickson organises a celebration every twelve years to show gratitude for heavenly blessings, lighting candles and offering sacrifices. This year marks the 10th time of the celebration, in conjunction with the 120th birthday of Lord GuǎngZé at Hong Sun Sek Temple in Port Dickson, the celebration is held on a large scale over three days. The ceremony where all deities go on a parade for freshwater invitation attracts crowds of devotees joining together. Under the accompaniment of dragon dances and lion dances troupes, all deities and devotees walk several kilometres away to a well. The clean and fresh water drawn up from the well will be used on the next day, which is Lord GuǎngZé’s birthday (22nd day on the second month of the lunar calendar), at a fortunate timing as a token of appreciation to the heavenly lord.

Text: Daniel Lim & Pua Hui Wen

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Mok Yii Chek
Coordinator : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Evon Pang
Drone : Daniel Lim
Video Editor : Evon Pang
Production Assistant : Michael Lerk
Music : Inspirational Piano – Ashamaluev from Youtube

COPYRIGHTS 2019 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD

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Xin Yan Hwa Hokkien Opera Troupe

Go A Hee, also known as ‘Min opera’ or ‘Hokkien opera’ within Southeast Asia. Long ago, due to their topography proximity to the sea, the distinctive feature of Southern Min people migrating overseas was shaped. Towards the end of the 19th century, the peak season of Southern Min people migrating overseas, large crowds of them migrated to Southeast Asia. Concurrent with the shaping of local Min overseas Chinese communities one after the other, conditions for the spread of Hokkien opera are furnished, thus Southeast Asia became an important region for overseas spreading of Hokkien opera.

Due to the language and tunes of Hokkien opera bearing regional characteristics and life-like, easy to understand, as well as having three-dimensional backgrounds and flamboyant costumes, in the 1920’s it was enthusiastically sought after by the Southern Min community, becoming a spiritual bond between Southern Min people who migrated overseas and their hometown. It also serves as a thanks offering ceremony in temple worshipping.

In the multiracial grounds of Malaysia, Hokkien opera experienced development transplant and climax, from the heyday in the 30’s prompting the forming of Hokkien opera troupes in several regions, at the same time attending international exchanges abroad; to gradually declining in the 60’s, only appearing as entertainment on religious ceremonies and festive celebrations. Hokkien opera faces various severe challenges: lessening of the older generation audience, lack of interest from the younger generations, no inheritance of the performance art, lack of support from the government, competition from overseas troupes etc.

There are now less than 20 Hokkien opera troupes who are still actively performing in Malaysia, however it comes as a comfort that there are still a group of passionate old opera artists who persist.
For instance this troupe from Batu Pahat, Sin Yan Hwa Hokkien Opera Troupe, 74-year-old head Tee Siew Foong (transliteration) learnt opera skills since a tender age, performing in several Singaporean troupes in her youth, and established Sin Yan Hwa Hokkien Opera Troupe using her two daughters’ names over 30 years ago. Madam Tee frankly states that when her stamina used to be good, she travelled long-term all around Malaysia in honour of invitations to perform, and she is grateful and fortunate to continue to maintain the opera troupe, pursuing a career in her passion.

Worth mentioning is another folk opera performance of Sin Yan Hwa Hokkien Opera Troupe: Bo Te Hee, also known as Puppetry. During grand events such as funerals, weddings, carnivals, and festive celebrations, Puppetry must be performed as a token of respect.

Text: Daniel Lim & Pua Hui Wen

有你 UNI Production
Producer : Mok Yii Chek
Coordinator : Daniel Lim
Cinematographer : Amelia Lim / Evon Pang
Video Editor : Amelia Lim
Production Assistant : Michael Lerk
Music : April Rain from Felt Music

COPYRIGHTS 2019 ECHINOIDEA SDN BHD

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