Khoo Kongsi is well known worldwide for its extensive lineage that can be traced back 650 years ago, as well as its closely-knit and defensive congregation of buildings and a magnificent clanhouse.
Khoo Kongsi is one of the most interesting attractions I had been so far in Penang. It's rich in its heritage and history! If you're visiting Khoo Kongsi, I would strongly recommend that you hire a tour guide for it; else it would be another "temple/destination" to visit.
Khoo Kongsi is a magnificent structure. Notice the artwork on the roof. There are fire breathing dragons, ferocious demons, humans and mini houses painted with vibrant colours. Guess who are the ones that painted that?
(answer will be review at later part of this entry)
I was told this is the only clan that is supported by the government. This is also the 2nd Khoo Kongsi as the first was burned down to ashes by rival clans. It took them 4 whole years and a large sum of captial to rebuild Khoo Kongsi. So you can imagine how powerful the Khoo Clan is!
This is the backbone structure of the Khoo Clan. The tour guide mentioned that nowadays, the government follows this structure that is used by the Khoo Clan.
This is the traditional naming convention of the Khoo Clan. Their surname is fixed, followed by the middle name which follows a sequence depending on which generation you are born in (as shown in the photo below) and then your first name. Therefore, with their names, you know exactly which generation in the Khoo family line they are in.
As mentioned above, here is the answer to the question above. The artwork is done by the Indians. It is painted stroke by stroke. A lot of hard work indeed!
We noticed a whole stretch of bamboo trees at the sides of Khoo Kongsi. Why is Bamboo planted? There is indeed a special reason why Bamboo is chosen. It is believed that Bamboo have the power to ward evil sprits. Therefore, the clan house is not only protected by physical threats but also protected spiritually.
Last but not least, some photos of the laughing buddha and a frowning buddha which I feel is interesting. Under the concrete railing of the laughing buddha, there is a coin that is inserted in it. It is there because of some feng shui reason and the coin couldn't be removed.
I hoped you enjoy the mini tour folks! Let me sign off with:
“You can't change life. But you can change how your live it. With a smile or a frown? You decide.”
~ Henry
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