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The Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi () or " Khoo Kongsi" for short, is the largest Hokkien Kongsi in Malaysia with elaborate and highly ornamented architecture, a mark of the dominant presence of the Chinese in Penang, Malaysia. The famous Khoo Kongsi is the grandest clan temple in the country. It is also one of the city's major historic attractions. The clan temple has retained its authentic historic setting, which includes an association building, a traditional theatre and the late 19th century rowhouses for clan members, all clustered around a granite-paved square. It is located in Cannon Square in the heart of the oldest part of the city of George Town, in the midst of narrow, winding lanes and quaint-looking pre-War houses exuding a palpable old world charm.
The forefathers of the Khoo family who emigrated from South China built it as a clanhouse for members of the Khoo family in 1851. It was burnt down in 1901, allegedly struck by lightning, and the Chinese believed that it was due to its resemblance to the Emperor's palace, which provoked the gods. A scaled-down version was later built in 1902 and completed in 1906. Even so, the complex boasts a magnificent hall embellished with intricate carvings and richly ornamented beams of the finest wood bearing the mark of master craftsmen from China. The clan temple is dedicated to the clan's Patron Deities and also houses a collection of ancestral tablets. are still staged at the theatre during the seventh lunar month.
Like many such clan associations in South East Asia, Khoo Kongsi is no longer the center of important social activities and functions that it once held. Different strategies and ideas are being implemented to redefine the place of clan associations in the 21st century. Due to its location in the UNESCO World Heritage area of George Town, it is a popular attraction for tourists interested in local culture.
It is noted that Khoo Chian Eng moved to San Peng Ang in Tong Aun County (now Tong'an District) approximately 650 years ago during the Yuan Dynasty, where he married Saw See Cheng and where they had their son Buan Seng Kong. Buan Seng Kong, whose family had later moved to Teh Toon (Known later as Sin Kang Village and most recently as Sin Aun Village) added the surname of Khoo during the early Ming dynasty. Buan Seng Kong who was later known as Khoo Buan Seng went on to have two sons Tua Huat and Cheng Huat whose descendants migrated over China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, The Philippines, Myanmar and some American and European countries.
In order to keep track of descendants the clan uses a genealogical chart which serves as a naming guide for each generation of clansmen, however this is not always followed, especially in modern times.
'''Genealogical naming chart of the Penang Khoo's (8th Generation to 45th Generation) Genealogical naming chart of the Penang Khoo'
The Hai Kee Kak are the largest branch of the See Tua Kak These branches then went on to form their own smaller kongsi's namely the Boon San Tong Khoo Kongsi and Khoo Si Toon Keng Tong Khoo Kongsi.
== Gallery ==
/ref>'''
Kay 8th 21st Kay 33rd Chian Phaik 9th 2nd Boo 34th Chiew Theng 10th 23rd Teng 35th Saik Hoon 11th 24th Kah 36th Hock Swee 12th 25th Lay 37th Har Jin 13th 26th Sin 38th Ee Boon 14th 27th Kar 39th Boh Huan 15th 28th It 40th Choo Kok 16th 29th Kuan 41st Ean Hua 17th 30th Soo 42nd Ek Tai 18th 31st Sin 43rd Say Heng 19th 32nd Aing 44th Giap Soo 20th 33rd Chian 45th Giang
Clan structure
The clan follows a specific structure to more accurately determine its descendants and hence their relations to one another. This structure is known in Penang Hokkien as the See Tua Kak (Four Sectional Groups) and were formed by the 4th to 8th generations of the family to form a total of 13 pang which is the Penang Hokkien word for branch/branches.
Notable relatives
External links
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