Kee Ancestral Hall

The Kee Ancestral Hall sits at the front the Kee Ancestral home in Sungai Bakap not far from Penang. Allow me to share the hall history, then I will talked about the home.

In case you are not sure the way, turn the car into highway 156. (Nibong Tebal, Jawi, Sg Bakap)

After coming out from the toll, just take the trunk road to the once Valley of Gold, Valdor road and turn into Sungai Bakap. 

The Kee Ancestral Home is placed under our family trust and it is considered as one of Penang cultural treasures. In 1991, the Kee Ancestral Worship Hall was used as a set for the filming of Indo-Chine. 

Lineage of future generations

But let me share with you our Kee Heritage in parts as the cultures those days were one of filial piety and respect to one's parents and ancestors. A practice seriously lacking in our modern society. 

The houses and hall has lots of history and treasured moments for my surviving uncles, aunts and cousins. It is through their eyes and ears I get to capture these rich Kee Heritage and the wonders of building the Kee Ancestral Home. 

As you can see from these inscriptions, since the days of Chor Chor, the lineage for future generation was prepared and carried out. Middles denotes the generation you belong to.  Of course along the way, after the fourth generation it was not followed. For those who followed, you will know then you are the descendant from this line of Kee Ancestors. 

I guess a good reason why some did not follow was, they might have migrated and don't know of their Kee Ancestors History in Province Wellesley, Penang or Malaysia. Interestingly, it took me half a century to realize and appreciate my forefathers even though I lived just over 30 mins away.  

                                  All that is left, 4 chairs to receive guest in the hall

As you cross over the threhold or (mui teng), one enters the receiving Kee Clan Hall. It is not as glamorous as in the old days. But you get to see the some very old treasured antiques. The Ancestral Receiving Hall plays an important part in any Straits Settlement house. This is the place where guest are received and entertained. Until one was closely befriended, then you will be allowed in their homes.

Reflecting each other on both sides of the wall hangs the infinity or (Feng Shui ) mirrors. In it, I get to view myself 4 to 5 layers deep. My cousin Ella Kee saw herself many more layers deeper than me.  

Infinity Mirrors in the 6 houses of Kee Family

These infinity mirrors must be so important in those days as all the six houses, have huge ones in the main household. And it is and was important for the phenomenon symbolized the old man's wish for the spawning of generation of Kees.

These two Chinese frame ups are very very old. It consist of a worn out material with precious words written in old Chinese. Not sure whether it was Shell and Bone or Bronze inscriptions or small seal style. No one dares to remove or upgrade it for fear of ill faith, that is why it is left to decay. 

Shells, Bones and Bronze Insciptions from ancient China

(Personally I heard someone wanted to buy for alot of money but the trustees was against it. 2 to 3 buyers kept coming and the main trustee knew something is going on and stopped the guest from entering) 

I am sharing this so that next time you enter the guest hall, please be obeservant of it. The darker photo show how Chinese alphabet were formed using oracle bone script etc. The other show written in cloth material showed the reign of the Chinese Emperor since Shi Huang Ti or Qin Shi Huang  

Heavy Wooden doors with Confucius and Mencius sayings.

Doors leading to the Main Kee Clan Hall in Sungai Bakap Penang

Kee Lai Huat like Confucius and Mencius believed a leader should possess good morals to gain the respect of the people. By then, he had built a name for himself in town, fathered 6 sons and 2 daughters.

Inscriptions of the Maxims of Home Management

As you are allowed to enter the main ancestral hall, one uses the 2 open side doors. The Main door is closed and only open for ancestor worship purposes. You get to read all the inscriptions of the Maxims of Home Management, devoted to Zhu Bo Lyu.  

Chor Chor appeared to be philosophical sort of fellow for Zhu Bo Lu, Confucius and Mencius advises are being passed down from generation to generation. 

Empress Dowager Eulogy board

The Eulogy board hanging on top of the hall reminded me of the once prosperous days of the Kee family. Periodically Kee Lai Huat contributed money back to China. The Empress Dowager presented him with an honorable appreciation. 

Inscripted 24 filial piety in Sungai Bakap Penang

Now once you stepped in the ancestor hall, where it housed the 4 generations altars and name tablet, you will be so fasicinated by the illustrations and murals on the door frames of the altars. Cho Cho held it firmly and uncle Yong Hee, his sister Ah Nui Kor Kor whenever we visited, I love to probed them to tell me stories. And I loved all the stories, guess I am reminiscing too much, during recent times. 

Carvings of 24 Filial Piety

And I can still remember some of them. Guys, you are lucky, you lived in modern times. Some very old parent, may used these words whenever they did not get their way.  
1. "Put how" or not filial, time like you did not give them monthly allowances or do not listen to them not to marry or simply, return late at night.
2. Choe kau Jee Chap Si How, fulfill the 24  Paragons of filial Piety

Most descendant makes effort to go back to worship Ancestors on All souls day (Cheng Beng), Eve of Chinese New Year (Je Kow Meh), Chang (Dumplings) Festivals, Tung Chek (Lantern Festival) and so on.

24 filial piety carvings on mother of Pearl 

The Threshold or Mui Teng is a piece of thick wood one crosses as you step in the receiving hall. It has a story, myth or folklore to relate. But basically these Straits Settlement folks are very superstitious. So the Mui Teng or threshold is to ward off evils spirits. 

They believed the evils Chinese spirits hops not more then 6 inches above the ground. The threshold is then higher then 6 inches.

  

The Evils spirits knows the laws of homes and do not enter by the main door. So when the main door is closed, there is no way for the evil spirit to enter. Ha ha, this is what my aunts shared. True or not, I do not know.

Pearly
7th April
P/s Please remark something to inspire me, ok.