Honouring the Ancestors: The Evolution of Semayang with Chan Eng Thai

Join us for a rare opportunity to deepen your understanding of semayang (ancestral veneration), one of the most significant intangible traditions in Peranakan Chinese culture. Led by respected cultural advocate Chan Eng Thai, this talk traces the rich heritage of semayang—from its origins in China to its transformation through colonial-era influences, and how it continues to evolve in modern Singapore.

Discover the symbolism embedded in the ingredients and layout of each ancestral offering, demonstrated with life-like replicas specially commissioned by the NUS Baba House. Participants will also have the chance to view the house’s full semayang display—one of the last opportunities to do so before the Baba House temporarily closes for essential conservation works in June.

About the Speaker
Chan Eng Thai is a lifelong practitioner and passionate ambassador of Peranakan heritage. A member of a Baba family in Singapore, he actively shares his cultural knowledge through talks, cooking demonstrations, and written contributions. He is also a dedicated performer and poet, writing pantun in Baba Malay and participating in Peranakan theatre and music productions—including Dondang Sayang duets and performances featured by the Asian Civilisations Museum.