A tale from before the Second World War at Hua Hung Ice Factory
The Tiong family was a big extended family and relatives stayed close and respected each other from Fujian, Minqing when they migrated to Sibu with leader Wong Nai Siong.
Most of those who volunteered for the first three batches of Foochow pioneers were related to each other and were Methodists while others were on their own and not related at all.
My grandfather Tiong Kung Ping was No 2 among the first cousins. No 4 cousin was Tiong Kung Nguong who lived in Sg. Bidut. No.9 was Tiong Toh Siong who later became a great timber man. All of them were descendants of the Tiongs from Wun Chieh, King Sa, of Minqing. And today many of their descendants in Sarawak can trace their ancestry right up to Wun Chieh's ancestral home.
In the early days these young pioneers had their order by number. The hierarchy was thus determined. No 2 and No 9 would be addressed as Ni Bah, Gow Gah (youger), nor Ni Bah Gung, Gow jiik gung respectively.
Out of the first cousins who were pioneers arriving with Wong Nai Siong, No 4 struck people impressively because both he and his wife were wise people who were articulate and very smart. They were demanded to head committee for weddings, funerals and births. In other words, they were walking dictionaries of Foochow customs and rites.
Besides the well spoken Si ring (4th younger aunty) was a very affectionate woman, well loved by all, young and old.
My Goo Poh, Tiong Yuk Ging had a lot of good words about her. She used to tell us about children's behaviour, how, in the olden days, without the help of school counsellors and even Sunday School, they were able to show love and affection.
A visit from Si Ring would mean that the family would have chicken and pork on the table to welcome the guest. Si Ring would stay for three or four ights while Si Gah would return to Sg Bidut to tend to his garden. The two would other come on their own paddle boat, or on the river crossing sampan or DU Rung (rows by a man who stood at the back of the boat). A few cents had to be paid to the boat man.
Si Ring had a lot of respect for my great grandparents, who were considered the highest ranking in the Tiong family hierarchy. So when she paid the elders a visit, it was like visiting her biological parents whom she left behind in Minqing, Fujian.
During her visit they must have talked about their days and memories of Minqing and the relatives they left behind.
Goo Poh was born in Sibu and she was did not see China until after she got married.
From her I learned that my aunts were delighted to welcome the affectionate Si Ring who was like a teacher or village story teller who came bearing stories and good news of the outside world! The whole house would be noisy, with the children asking a lot of questions about the outside world! For after all Pulau Kerto was an island, cut off from Sibu and Sg. Bidut.
And then it was time for Si Ring to say good bye, suddenly the whole house became quiet. For before she could say so, the kids would have hidden her umbrella, her clothes, her basket and even her handkerchief in some places the adults could not find. Goo Poh said that it was hilarious for Si Ring to go around looking for her stuff.
It would be a while for the adults to find the items and kids would have just those few precious minutes with their favourite aunt, until her next visit.
As the kids grew older, they were married off, 4th aunt grew older too.
Goo Poh said that she got married, went to China and then came back a widow with two children. Luckily she had 4th Aunt who helped her through her new widowhood as a great counsellor.
Upon her return to Sibu, my Goo Poh and Goo Poh Tiong Ing Lang became the first supervisors of Mary Hoover Kindergarten, especially hand picked by Mrs. Hoover herself before she left for her retirement in 1946.
It is always a rich family life when you have a wise relative by your side.
P/S Goo Poh told us that 4th Aunt was a spokeswoman (in Foochow Gong Wah Nern) of the first calibre. She was better than even Mr. Lau Tien Sing, whom we knew as a good Foochow spokesman for many occasions. 4th aunt would also be called upon when there were troubles in the family. She would diplomatically settle the conflicts and pacify any hurts.
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