Trip to China: The Ng Village

We returned about a week ago from a week long trip to Xiamen, China. About two hours (in which direction I have no idea) lies the Ng Village in Shi Shan. Where my ancestors are from. My family travels there about twice a year, this was my second visit. In Febuary we went there to clean the graves of our ancestors on the mountain. The second time we went to pay respect in the month of the Autumn Harvest. Basically, the only difference I really saw is this time we didn't do much cleaning and we got to eat mooncake.

I'm not going to try to explain in detail the culture or exactly what the meaning of what we do there because I am still learning it myself. I've included photos to kinda describe exactly what goes on. I took these photos during my first trip up there, bare with me because they are photos...of photos.



First we climb a mountain, up to where the graves are located. The second time I didn't have to climb, instead I got what they called "Chinese Rollercoaster" which was an automobile that has a huge platform in the back where people sit. Then you ride up on a very narrow and bumpy path that is only inches away from certain death, all the way to the top!




Then we clean the gravesites and pray. This time in China they sang some song that I did not understand and then paid respect in the order of the generation, therefore being that I am third generation I was last to pay my respects.


They then climb back down from the mountain and burn prayer notes, hell bank notes, and paper clothing so that the spirits may collect them. This is not Buddism but old Chinese tradition.


This is the Ng Village, where my Grandparents are from. Everyone here shares the surname, and they consider each relative, no matter how distant.

My dad standing in front of my Grandmother's first house. My cousins Elizabeth and Paulus are right there standing in the doorway.




The gate entrance to the family house in China, and yep there is me standing in front of the house. My Grandmother build this house years ago so that all her children and grandchildren have somewhere to go should something happen in Indonesia or wherever they may be.

A photo of myself and some of my family members. I blend don't I? I tend to do that sometimes. China is a beautiful place rich old culture and customs. I look forward to returning in following years so I could learn more about the culture.