Gan Heritage Centre Family Chapter

Connecting Ties, Journeying TogetherWhen the sea-faring immigrants from South and East China arrived at the new territories in Southeast Asia, they had no assistance or protection from the local authorities or the colonial government. The fellow compatriots could only rely on one another. The Gan immigrants in Singapore stood united by kinship and descent. They enjoyed a closely-knit relationship governed by family rules and tradition. The Gan family spirit galvanised the immigrants who eventually formed the Lu Guo Hall Gan Clan Association.The Lu Guo Hall, Official Inauguration In 1926The Lu Guo Hall Gan Clan Association was established in 1926. One of the founders included Gan Say Hong who set up the Qian Mei Company in 1925 at a rented unit at 29A, Telok Ayer Street. The Lu Guo Hall co-existed on the same premises as the Company.

Maintain kinship ties, fight for the rights and benefits for members THE TURNING POINT  When Singapore separated from Malaya in 1965, Gan Yue Cheng saw the urgency in establishing a Gan Association. He gathered a total of 11 like-minded Gans to form a fund-raising committee. The pivotal fund-raising meeting took place at Yuan Cong Mei Teahouse, on the 2nd level of 142, Jeeling Street, Gan Teng Chek officially registered the Association with the authorities. In 1966, the Clan was officially established.

There is an interesting story behind the Chun Zi Hall, one of the halls located at the premises of the Association. On 18 November in 1967, Gan Yue Cheng and three other committee members paid a friendly visit to the Philippines Gan Clan, where they received a rousing welcome and a generous donation of $33,000 from Gan Kee Tang, a Gan from the Philippines. As a token of appreciation, the Singapore Gans dedicated one of the halls to the donor's mother, her maiden name was Chun Zi.                                                                           

Gan Yue Cheng, Gan Kee Tang,Gan Boon Hean,Gan Cheng Hoon,Gan Cheng Kway,Gan Say Hong,Gan Sing,Gan Keng Ku,Yan Hui Yun，Mrs Yan Hui Yun，Gan Hui Hong,Gan Kee Cheow,Gan Hui Chong,Gan Kee Cheng,Gan Tin Leong,Ngan Kiang Hew,Gan Ee Chiang,Gan Beng,Gan Boon Siong,Gan Cheong Or,Gan Kiong Pang,Gan Chin Teong,Gan Kok Leong,Mother of Gan Kok Hua,Gan Hua Beng, Gan Eng Huat,Gan Hoon Kian,Gan Teng Chek, Gan Kok Eng, Gan Koon Tek,Gan Kee Teng,Gan Chin Cheng

The Gan Clan Association launched its official Memorial Services on 5 April 1992. The words of remembrance on the memorial monument were penned by local calligrapher Master Song Nian. Members may inscribe the demise dates of their predecessors on the monument. The memorial services are normally conducted in the first week of Qing Ming Festival and flowers are presented as a mark of respect and filial piety. The ceremony has no religious connotation.

Besides Singapore, Gan Clan Associations also sprouted up in different parts of Asia, including the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Malaysia. There are Gan Clan Associations in Penang, Malacca, Selangor, Pahang, Negri Sembilan, Kedah and Perlis. The Federation of Malaysia Gan Clan Associations was formed in 1999 to strengthen the bond amongst the associations in the various states, promote trade, exchange ideas and serve as liaison for the different state associations.The earliest Gan clan association established in Malaysia was the Yan Shi Lu Guo Tang. It was started by Gan Ngoh Bee in Penang in 1884. This was followed by other Gan clan associations set up in various states of Malaysia; such as in Malacca (1967), Selangor (1968), Johor (1970), Pahang (1972), Negri Sembilan (1999) and Kuala Lumpur (2001). Gan clan associations were also established in Penang, Kedah and Perlis. To foster closer ties and to encourage collaboration, networking and business opportunities, the Gan clan associations in these states were united to form the Federation of Malaysia Gan Clan Associations. The Federation of Malaysia Gan Clan Associations also plays a significant role in the political, economic, cultural and educational arena of Malaysia.  There are two Gan Clan Associations in the Philippines. One is the Philippines Banknotes Pit Yan Association formed by the Gans originating from Fujian Jinjiang Note Pit, now known as  Shishi City. It was named as Pui Ying School Council when it was formed in the 21st century and later renamed as Pui Ying Alumni and subsequently known as Chao Hang Yan Association in 1962.

 

The other association, the Tiu Gan Family Association formed by of descendants of Fujian An Hai. It was during the Yuan Dynasty that 张培谅 was adopted and took on the surname of Gan. This was how it became known as Tiu Gan Family Association.The Gan Clan Association in Taiwan was formed in Taipei in 1972. It was in 1974 that the World Gan Clan General Association in Taiwan was formed while the Gan Clan in Kinmen was formed in 1958.It was in 1962 that the Yan Lian Clan was formed in Hong Kong. It was renamed as 颜氏宗亲总会formed by those with the surname Gan, Lien and Hia.In the south of Vietnam, there are associations for the surnames Gan, Lien and Hia formed by their ancestors in Guangdong Chaozhou and Hainan. They even jointly constructed a Lu State National Memorial Hall (Luguo Tang) bearing these three surnames. This association was approved by the Vietnamese government as an association.   

For the past 20 years, the World Gan Clan Conference has been held in various countries and plays an important role in strengthening the ties amongst various Gan Clans.For the past 20 years, Gan Clans worldwide have worked hand-in-hand across boundaries to preserve the legacy of the Gans.                                                                             

The 2nd World Gan Conference was held in Malaysia. The World Gan Clan Association Secretariat was formed.

The 4th World Gan Clan Conference was held in the Philippines with establishment of the World Gan Clan General Association and regular publication of the World Gan Clansman as a form of update.

The 6th World Gan Clan Conference was held in Malaysia with draft of the Constitution of the Federation of the World Gan Clan Associations.

The 8th World Gan Clan Conference was held at Linyi City, China with focus group discussion on Yanzi culture conducted to enhance the attractiveness of this culture.

The 11th World Gan Clan Conference was held at Chengdu, China. Presentation of special awards and Honorary Certificates were awarded to organisations and chairpersons who had contributed towards the Gan Clan Conference.                                                                                                                                                           

A compilation of Council members’ local and regional contacts (Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia and Hong Kong).

Born in 1960, Wei Wu, Bozhou City in Anhui Province, descendant of Yanzi the Sage, descendant of the 34th generation of Tang Dynasty calligrapher Yan Zhenqing. Council Member of the Chinese Calligraphers Association, President of the Chinese Yan Ti Calligraphy Academy, Professor of Tsinghua University, Fine Arts Academy & Calligraphy Research, Beijing University’s  first Calligraphy Art graduate, Researcher of the Military Logistic Institute of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, Senior Colonel.

A classical Chinese music performance commences with an instrument, jizhong (击钟) and ends with another known as ji pan (击磐). Such a performance is pure, sublime and harmonious.The calligraphy text borrows the analogy of the sounds of the jizhong(击钟) and ji pan (击磐) to symbolise Confucius’ contributions to Chinese culture. This deserving tribute to Confucious is encapsulated in a boulder standing at the entrance of the Confucius temple in Qufu, Shandong Province.