The Clan Jetties along the waterfront of George Town, Penang, represents a unique settlement. It was created by Chinese immmigrants who share common historical, geographical and lineage origin. Today there are still eight clan jetties along the waterfront, namely the Seh Lim Keo, Seh Chew Keo, Seh Tan Keo, Seh Lee Keo, Chap Seh Keo, Seh Yeoh Keo and Seh Koay Keo. Some of these clan jetties are in grave danger of being demolished for urban renewal.
Apart from Chap Seh Keo, with its mixed clanage, the rest used to be exclusively inhabited by its respective clansmen. Thus is the distinctive identity of the George Town jetty communities, including the Noordin Ghaut Jetty, Peng Arn Jetty and Ban Liaw Jetty , which are all located further south, along the Jelutong seafront. Collectively, they constitute Penang's waterfront society. There used to be more community jetties along the waterfront, including the Poh Lan/Lallang Jetty, Hup Choon Jetty, old Lee Jetty and the old Ong Jetty, all of which have been erased by time.
Clan jetties along the George Town waterfront.
Top: Main door of a clan jetty home. Right: View of Koay Jetty with the city of George Town in the background. Below: A less appealing perspective to jetty living.
Bridging the gap of time.
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