third eye
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One of Singapore’s oldest cemeteries “Bukit Brown” has 2 Sikh statues of Sikh Guards next to a Grave belonging to a Prominent Chinese Physician Chew Geok Leong who died in 1939.
It is documented at the grave site that he had the statues made while he was alive, so that after he died these statues would literally guard his tomb. The Chinese tradition of the particular community is that after they have physically died they make statues of basically anything that they think will protect them in the “other world”.
This Chinese physician was so amazed by the Valor, Courage and Bravery of Sikhs that he wanted Sikhs Soldiers to protect him in the “other world” Note Sikhs don’t believe in Graves, but the fact this person recognized Sikhs is a big honor.
What makes this cemetery unique is the reflection of what once was a community of people who came, lived and subsequently died and laid to rest in this grounds. The memories, stories and impact they left behind is something cannot be duplicated anywhere else.
The fusion of styles adopted as a result of socialisation with the other races they meet in their daily lives and adoption of various Asian and western influences with their own Chinese customs and beliefs, thoroughly makes this place a one-of-a kind heritage cemetery and the last in Singapore. I would like to call this a Heritage Park.
The Sikh guard statues are a fine example of this, where the once living, then impressed with the diligence, loyalty and bravery of the Sikh guards brought in by the British colonial masters then to provide security, decided that they would also be adequate guardians of their final resting when they pass on.
The artisans that crafted the statutes made so many of the statutes seem so "life-like", each with its on distinct features, whether it is moustached or full bearded, stiff upper lipped or with a friendly smile- indeed they are works of art and something we will never see again in this Island State.
Sikh guard in Lao Sua
Standing forever at attention beside some of the more prominent pioneers of Singapore are proud Sikh Guards, with their cavalry turbans immaculately in place. Their uniforms would pass the most gruelling inspection. Loyal protectors who were once entrusted with business premises, now stand guard over valuable property in the afterlife. The old tombstones have so much to teach us if we take time to read them!
It is documented at the grave site that he had the statues made while he was alive, so that after he died these statues would literally guard his tomb. The Chinese tradition of the particular community is that after they have physically died they make statues of basically anything that they think will protect them in the “other world”.
This Chinese physician was so amazed by the Valor, Courage and Bravery of Sikhs that he wanted Sikhs Soldiers to protect him in the “other world” Note Sikhs don’t believe in Graves, but the fact this person recognized Sikhs is a big honor.
What makes this cemetery unique is the reflection of what once was a community of people who came, lived and subsequently died and laid to rest in this grounds. The memories, stories and impact they left behind is something cannot be duplicated anywhere else.
The fusion of styles adopted as a result of socialisation with the other races they meet in their daily lives and adoption of various Asian and western influences with their own Chinese customs and beliefs, thoroughly makes this place a one-of-a kind heritage cemetery and the last in Singapore. I would like to call this a Heritage Park.
The Sikh guard statues are a fine example of this, where the once living, then impressed with the diligence, loyalty and bravery of the Sikh guards brought in by the British colonial masters then to provide security, decided that they would also be adequate guardians of their final resting when they pass on.
The artisans that crafted the statutes made so many of the statutes seem so "life-like", each with its on distinct features, whether it is moustached or full bearded, stiff upper lipped or with a friendly smile- indeed they are works of art and something we will never see again in this Island State.
Sikh guard in Lao Sua
Standing forever at attention beside some of the more prominent pioneers of Singapore are proud Sikh Guards, with their cavalry turbans immaculately in place. Their uniforms would pass the most gruelling inspection. Loyal protectors who were once entrusted with business premises, now stand guard over valuable property in the afterlife. The old tombstones have so much to teach us if we take time to read them!
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