Penang Clan Jetties, Weld Quay

Penang Clan Jetties - Weld Quay

A collection of water villages found along Weld Quay has been in existence since the 19th century. The jetty area is situated along the edge of the inland part of the sea where Penang Island faces the mainland about a mile across.

A clan jetty is actually a village built on silts and the name of the jetty is named after the last name of the residence. Each jetty comprises of row houses linked by planked walkways over the water. Their ancestor’s came from small coastal communities in Fukien province China, and were mostly fisherman and gatherers of oysters.

Altogether there are eight clan jetties along Weld Quay:

• Chew Jetty
• Koay Jetty
• Lee Jetty
• Lim Jetty
• Peng Aun Jetty
• Tan Jetty
• Yeoh Jetty
• Mixed Clans Jetty

Among the jetties, only the Chew Jetty continues to have any clan related activity – the once a year annual worship of its temple deity and “Tee Kong” (God of Heaven or Sky God). The event takes place on the 9th of Chinese New Year (Lunar calendar).

With its interesting blend of cultural and religious activities, life at the Weld Quay settlements is never dull. Today over a century later, the Weld quay area looks much the same – untouched by the development that has taken place all around.

Tip: If you are visiting the Weld Quay Jetty settlement here, be prepared to hold your breath. Chances are you will come across bits and pieces of human waste and also soapy water in the sea, discharged from households there. This is because for more than a 100 years now, the settlement, has not been equipped with a proper sanitary and sewage system.