The Clan Jetties of Penang in Malaysia are a unique cultural and historical landmark, representing the legacy of Chinese immigrant communities who settled along the waterfront of George Town in the 19th and 20th centuries. The Clan Jetties emerged as residential settlements in the late 19th century, established by Chinese Hokkien immigrants who shared common surnames and ancestral hometowns in China. These communities were primarily made up of descendants from coastal villages in southern Fujian Province and each jetty was traditionally dominated by a specific clan. Over time, these jetties evolved from simple wooden shelters into vibrant waterfront communities, some of which still thrive today, while others have been lost to urban development.
These traditional settlements, linked by wooden boardwalks, belong to distinct Chinese clans—Ong, Lim, Chew, Tan, Lee, Yeoh, and a mixed clan. Developed between the 1880s and 1960s, there were originally nine clan jetties, but urban development after Malaysia’s independence reduced the number to seven.
The reclamation of Penang’s shoreline in 1882 created new waterfront space, allowing for physical construction. Over time, landing jetties developed on the foundations of colonial-built ‘ghauts,’ which were initially meant to ease trade traffic further north. Eventually, these jetties were claimed and managed by specific clans, serving as docking points for sampans and hubs for loading and unloading goods.
Initially, simple sheds were erected to provide shelter for workers awaiting cargo shipments on larger tongkang boats. Gradually, these structures were converted into communal living spaces, and as immigration surged in the early 20th century, the jetty settlements expanded, with more houses being built to accommodate the growing population.
The Clan Jetties were once dismissed as “slums” under “neoliberal urbanisation” policies that prioritised vertical expansion. At the time, the government planned to demolish the jetties and relocate residents to high-rise housing. This proposed demolition, coupled with economic shifts that reduced labour-intensive jobs, drove many younger residents away from the area.
In 2006, the Koay and Peng Aun jetties were demolished. However, when George Town’s city centre gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 2008, further redevelopment was halted, and the remaining Clan Jetties gradually became a tourist hotspot and which gained recognition as a key heritage attraction, offering visitors a glimpse into the historical and cultural legacy of Penang’s Chinese immigrant communities. This shift toward heritage tourism has since raised concerns about livability and gentrification, worsened by the area’s ageing population. To safeguard the jetties, the Penang Island City Council has classified nearly all its structures as Category II-protected buildings and implemented guidelines to prevent over reliance on tourism.
The Clan Jetties of Penang stand as a testament to the resilience and cultural heritage of early Chinese settlers. While some, like Chew Jetty, thrive as tourist attractions, others have faded into history. Efforts to preserve these communities are crucial in maintaining George Town’s unique multicultural identity. For visitors, exploring the jetties offers a rare opportunity to step back in time and experience the living legacy of Penang’s maritime past.
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Ong Jetty
The Ong Jetty, the northernmost of the Clan Jetties, was primarily inhabited by the Ong clan, originating from Luanmeishe in Tong’an, Xiamen. Unlike some of the more developed jetties, Ong Jetty featured modest wooden structures that functioned as resting sheds for the clan’s boatmen. Over time, as George Town expanded, the jetty was absorbed into the modern Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal, leaving little trace of its original presence.
Lim Jetty
The Lim Jetty was established by the Lim clan, whose ancestors came from Houcunzhuang in Tong’an, Xiamen. This jetty endured significant destruction during the Japanese invasion of 1941 but was rebuilt after the war.
Today, Lim Jetty is characterized by zinc-roofed houses divided into two distinct sections, with a row of wooden huts lining the waterfront. The jetty also hosts several Chinese temples dedicated to deities such as:
- Mazu (Goddess of the Sea)
- Yama (King of Hell)
- Shennong (Divine Farmer)
These religious sites reflect the spiritual practices of the community, blending Taoist and folk traditions.
Chew Jetty
The Chew Jetty (also known as Zhou Jetty) is the most famous and visited of all the Clan Jetties. Developed by the Chew clan from Xinglinshe in Tong’an, Xiamen, it has become a major tourist attraction, especially since George Town’s UNESCO World Heritage inscription in 2008.
Key Features:
- Jade Emperor’s Birthday Celebrations: The jetty is the focal point of the grand festivities on the ninth day of Chinese New Year, where devotees offer prayers and stage elaborate rituals.
- Temples & Shrines: The jetty houses shrines dedicated to Baosheng Dadi (a deity of healing) and Xuantian Shangdi (a Taoist god).
- Commercialization: Due to its popularity, around 30% of the houses have been converted into souvenir shops, cafes, and guesthouses as of 2017, raising concerns about cultural preservation.
Despite modernization, Chew Jetty retains much of its traditional charm, with stilt houses extending over the water.
Tan Jetty
The Tan Jetty is home to the Tan clan, who trace their roots to Bingzhoushe in Tong’an, Xiamen. The community initially settled near Armenian Street before relocating to the present site, where they built wooden sheds as shelters from the rain.
Religious Significance: The jetty features shrines dedicated to Tan Goan-kong (a local deity) and Mazu, reflecting the clan’s maritime heritage.
Compared to Chew Jetty, Tan Jetty remains relatively quiet, offering a more authentic glimpse into the traditional clan jetty lifestyle.
Lee Jetty
Originally situated near the Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal, the Lee clan (from Duishancun in Tong’an, Xiamen) were forced to relocate in the 1960s due to terminal expansion. The current Lee Jetty is smaller than others, with only a single shrine dedicated to Baosheng Dadi.
Yeoh Jetty
The Yeoh Jetty, the southernmost of the Clan Jetties, was primarily inhabited by the Yeoh clan from Xiayangcun in Haicheng. Like Lim Jetty, it suffered damage during World War II, displacing many original residents.
Following land reclamation projects, much of the jetty now stands on dry land, losing its original waterfront character.
New Jetty
Unlike the other jetties, the New Jetty (also called Mixed Clan Jetty) was established in 1962 and was never dominated by a single lineage. Instead, it housed families of various surnames, reflecting Penang’s evolving social landscape.
Key Developments:
- Built under stricter post-independence regulations from the state Land Office.
- In 1973, two houses were demolished to install submarine water pipelines.
Today, the New Jetty remains a lesser-known but historically significant part of the Clan Jetties.
Peng Aun Jetty
Peng Aun Jetty came into existence in the 1960s and was home to residents with different surnames. It too was demolished along with the Koay Jetty in 2006 to make way for residential developments.
Koay Jetty
The Koay Jetty was developed in the 1950s by the Koay clan from Baiqipu in Hui’an County, whose ancestors were Hui Muslim traders from Quanzhou. The Koays who migrated to Penang eventually assimilated with the wider Chinese community and distanced themselves from their original Muslim faith. The Koay Jetty once served as a hub for charcoal trade. After independence, land reclamation led to the jetty being engulfed by mangrove forest. The jetty was destroyed in 2006 to accommodate newer residential developments.
Passionate Photographer …. Lost in Asia
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