Marudi : Foochow Traditional Brass Band

Led by my cousin,Tiong Chiong Hua, my Aunt Mee Sing and I visited Marudi Foochow Association. We enjoyed a traditional Foochow brass band performance and a warm Foochow lunch, after which we visited a Foochow Durian Farm and the original Baram Foochow village of Lubok Nibong.

Cousin Chiong Hua knows every one in Marudi. He was brought up in Marudi after his father migrated from Sg. Bidut in the 1960's. 

The Traditional Foochow brass band is made up of several big and small cymbals, gongs and the traditional Foochow drum. In fact that particular drum was brought by him all the way from Fuzhou when he visited our relatives a while ago. Cousin Chiong Hua was also one of the first musicians of the brass band and he is really good with the Foochow drum!! Not many can play the Foochow drum now.

The conductor is Lau Gie Ngo,who has been keeping the band together for more than 10 years after Chiong Hua left Marudi to expand his thriving business in Miri.

This traditional Foochow brass band is now the only active one in the whole of Malaysia. It is called upon to perform during events (to make a lot of noise). 

Thanks to Ah Ngo, Chiong Hua and Mee Sing for making this trip wonderful and fruitful.