RELAX
Flashback:
Secret Societies!
In a new series, we take a
look at the interesting parts
of Singapore’s history. In the
spirit of family, this month,
we cover the secret societies
of the past, all of whom were
the only families that many of
the Chinese in Singapore had
when they first came here.
The term “secret society” in today’s context has many
negative connotations attached to it but in the early
19th century, the secret society played an integral role
in not only providing a legitimate, safe haven for the
Chinese immigrants in Singapore but also helping to
keep the peace!
A HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The notion of brotherhood has long been employed by
numerous Chinese organisations since the Warring States
period (475 – 221 BC) as a way to unify the members.
More importantly, the bonds of brotherhood were usually
enforced through a simple oath or a blood oath, depending
on the organisation, which explains the concept of
initiation ceremonies.
These brotherhoods served to provide mutual aid to all
the members, whether financially or through the sharing
and loaning of resources. The society also
gave protection and assistance whenever the
members needed them – the members were
usually poor and powerless, and the brotherhood
gave them a voice.
IN SINGAPORE
1820s
The first secret society that was formed in
Singapore was the Ghee Hin Kongsi, which literally
means “the rise of righteousness”. It began as a
self-help organisation aimed at assisting Chinese
immigrants. However, the main difference between
the Ghee Hin Kongsi and a typical bang was that the
Ghee Hin usually conducted initiation ceremonies
for its new members.
“The initiation ceremony was always held at night in
a secret location. The grounds of the ceremony were
arranged to represent a walled city where the initiates
made a symbolic journey. Within the city were three
gates through which an initiate must pass: the Hung
Gate, the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, and the Hall
of the City of Willows.
At the Hung Gate, initiates knelt with their right arms
and shoulders bare, and the bottoms of their left trouser
leg rolled up – symbol of the union of man, heaven and
earth. Their pigtails were un-braided and worn as a
tress. Every initiate held in his hand some lit joss sticks.
The Master of Ceremony would ask the initiates a
series of questions to which they would reply in verse.
Following that, 12 oaths were read to the initiates.
At the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, they were
tapped on their backs with either a knife or a wooden
stick. On display were familiar Chinese icons of
authority that were sure to evoke awe and loyalty.
Here, the initiates took a further 12 oaths.
Finally, at the City of Willows, they took the last 12
oaths to complete the series of 36.”
An excerpt from the book Secret Societies
in Singapore
24
Family & Life • Jun 2014