ENG CHUAN TONG TAN KONGSI, PENANG

ENG CHUAN TONG TAN KONGSI – MY MATERNAL ROOTS

My mother is from the Tan family.

Naturally, I have half the blood of the Tan family roots.

Similarly as the Yeohs – I also wish to know something about the Tans.

TAN KONGSI

Originally founded as Tan Seng Ong Kongsi, Eng Chuan Tong Tan Kongsi is historically the oldest clan house in Penang, It had acquired its first common clan property at 13 China Street, as early as 1810.

In 1831, the Kongsi director adopted the name of the main temple in Yunxiao to officially established the Weihui Miao as a place of worship devoted to Chen Yuanguang, the founder of Zhangzhou, and his two deputies – General Fushun and General Fusheng. It was also the ancestors of the temple of Tan clansmen for purpose of cultural integration.

MY MOTHER, SHIRLEY TAN

The present architectural structure of Eng Chuan Tong Tan Kongsi was completed in 1878, adopting common blood ties to demonstrate the internal cohesion of the Tan clansmen; and utilising the rich public space of the buildings to showcase the cultural symbolism of clan unity.

In 1917, a Tan Si School was set up. It was later renamed Eng Chuan School to educate Chinese children to become useful resources of the society.

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER

With a synthesis of clan culture and folk beliefs, contemporary Eng Chuan Tong Tan Kongsi is both a clan organization of social activities and an ancestral temple of remembrance and prayer.

Together with the residential houses on both sides, it forms a cultural embedded Seh Tan Court.

TAN KONGSI