The literal translation for kongsi is "clan hall" but it's much more than that. They're found throughout the Chinese diaspora and serve as benevolent organizations that helped Chinese immigrants overcome economic challenges, racism and social ostracism. To get the benefits though, you have to come from the specific clan, in this case the Khoo clan.
Many of the old kongsi became modern day multinational corporations. Kongsi now means "company" in modern Chinese. The Khoos were 17th century Malacca Straits traders who originally hailed from the Hokkien provinces in China. As you can see from the photos, they did quite well.
By the 19th century, they had a whole square block with the elaborate clan house in the center. They self-governed and had a school, meeting hall and many houses.
On either side of the clan hall entrance are two stone lions. I didn't even notice the granite balls in their mouths....
......until I saw these signs. I really wanted to "roll the granite balls" but I behaved.
There isn't one inch of the clan hall, inside or out, that isn't adorned with some form of decoration. This is a shot of one of the inner walls.
Those gold plaques are soul tablets and contain the name of the deceased. From the opulence I'm guessing you had to be a real big shot to have your name in this clan hall.
There was an interesting museum in the basement that explained the emigration of the Khoos and related clans. That's when I learned that the Chan clan is big-time. As with all things big-time, Dodo played it down like it was nothing special.
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