The Last Joss Stick Makers In Singapore | Tay Guan Heng

We found giant dragon joss sticks, nativity sets and Santa Claus (wearing a face mask!) handcrafted under one roof. Yes, and by the same hands too!
Albert Tay shares the story of Singapore’s last giant joss stick makers, and looks back at the years that passed - the good and the bad - as he continues the family business right to the end.
What do these craftsmen mean for our local heritage and customs?
📍Tay Guan Heng
4002 Ang Mo Kio Ave 10, Singapore
Order & enquiries: / tghwoodclay
Special thanks to My Community for sharing this story with us. Follow their page for tours and events documenting community and heritage stories in Singapore: / myqueenstown
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This video is part of our Generations series. From hawkers to craftsmen, hear from the men and women who tirelessly dedicate their lives to keeping our traditions alive.
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[@OGS.Official]

If you'd like to support them, you may contact Albert for customised wood clay figurines (your very own gingerbread house!) or for educational tours & workshops. FB page: facebook.com/TGHwoodclay/ Thank you Albert, Steven, Er Ge and family for sharing your story with us 🙂

[@jingyun4323]

Please never feel you haven't achieved much with your life doing this work. It's a skill that is unique and brings so much joy to us. It's is a tradition unique to Singapore and it should be commended as such. You're a real talent. Never think otherwise.

[@cpang9165]

Totally agreed. Unfortunately in Singapore, we're tuned to judge one's success by material achievements, not artistic or cultural skills. Hence government support is probably the best solution .

[@ft4686]

Omg yes agreed 😭😭😭😭😭 don’t compare yourself

[@jdkhry]

What a precious skill! Sincerely hope that there’s a next generation taking over their business..! :”)

[@babosing]

Well, hoping will not solve their issues. You have to start buying their products if you want the business to continue

[@OGS.Official]

Unfortunately it's likely to end with this generation... Albert and his brothers are also considering retirement. But when that day comes, we hope this video will remain to document the once-vibrant joss stick making industry in Singapore.

[@holoban9173]

@@babosing Buying their products won't magically give them a successor or help them much because they already mention they're low on manpower to make these

[@yinghaotan6044]

Why not approach them to pick it up yourself if you really feel so.

[@YubiYubi_]

One of my relatives is one of those giant joss shop that got affected. Its basically overnight bankrupt. Demand was super high for those giant joss stick but people doesn't want 1.8m at all. Surprised this is how the last giant joss stick maker survive, by not making joss stick. Respect to him and his family in diversify to new methods to survive. Sadly this is probably one of those skill that will be gone in the future.

[@OGS.Official]

Thank you for sharing, it's hard for us to imagine how sudden it was for everyone in the industry. Tay Guan Heng's main business is still making decorative joss sticks but other customised artworks (gingerbread house, Christmas ornaments etc) definitely does help a little! Especially with COVID-19 event restrictions, there was almost no need for temples to buy the joss sticks. However, making customised artworks is also not sustainable due to shortage of skilled craftsmen as Albert shares.

[@thedamnhappygurl]

I was very fortunate to grow up surrounded by such things due to my family's tradition. But it's so sad that such things will probably disappear in a few more decades... Wishing good health to all the uncles and thank you for all your dedication these years!!!

[@douknodawae7805]

same tbh

[@Mokmokjewelry]

Museums in Singapore should showcase more exhibitions that focus on these forms of traditional art. What the public can do is try their best to support 💙✨

[@celesteboo7672]

When I was younger, my grandfather used to sell these giant joss sticks. My grandparent's house had many of these 1.5m joss stick laying around. I was always so fascinated with all the dragons and art on the giant joss stick, I will even try/pretend that I could carry these big joss stick. When the producer asked Albert about his regret, it reminded me of mine, I always regretted not spending more time with my grandparents and asking them more about these big giant joss sticks or where and how did these giant joss sticks come from. Thank you OGS, this video means a lot to me and really thank you for documenting these makers' craft.

[@SuccessforLifester]

Sometimes the elders talked very little, either due to language barriers or maybe some memories are too painful to recollect. Or sometimes, distance memories just faded away. Attempted to ask my dad about his past but he said very little too

[@bradychua865]

UNCLE WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS AMAZING! Without you, the chinese tradition would die. Thank you so much

[@kyc4523]

Uncle, regarding those small regrets, each field has their masters/pro. I appreciate that you are maintaining this unique heritage. Keep it up!

[@OGS.Official]

Thanks for watching to the end! We'll share these comments with him :)

[@daenelfred3408]

This channel is so good.. with so much of our folk story, awesome storyline and it make me feel very welcome.. feel like I belong here.. Thank you OGS team for making this wonderful moments.. I hope there is more to come .. I'm really excited to watch a show that got a strong connection to the community..it is really soothing to the heart watching a show like this.. thing that I never know. thanks again.. God bless you all..❤️❤️

[@OGS.Official]

Thank you 🙏🙏🙏Means a lot to all of us that you enjoy our videos :) Definitely more to come from Singapore and all over Southeast Asia!

[@daenelfred3408]

@@OGS.Official yeahh. I am always here waiting for your new updates.. Thank you so much ❤️

[@deepshikhag6329]

This is art!! Cultural art, and im so glad you're bringing it to the world.. I'm so fascinated and awed right now.

[@worldview2888]

Dear Mr Albert, I really want you to know that i am very touched and feel very thankful to you for sharing your journey with others. I am in no position to dictate, but just to share my very small 2 cents opinion that Mr Albert should not feel any "regret" of doing something else or took a different path because his family's business genuinely did provide services for the demands of religious groups. They have met the needs and fulfilled and delivered their crafts. This is said from experience as there are people that do not have a trade or craft and yet they chose to do nothing, in comparison Mr Albert has taken on a path that has fulfilled demands. Today, this video shows me how purpose looks like for different people. Which for Mr Albert i again thank him for sharing his journey in this industry.

[@franceslam2570]

A truly moving and inspiring video. Truly appreciate the love and enthusiasm Albert and his brothers put into the craft...and upkeep their family tradition. 👋😊

[@ketanshah6613]

This was such a heart touching video. I didnt know much about joss sticks as an indian. Thanks for introducing me to this. He seems like such a nice person with his own dilemmas and life paths yet here he is alive and moving forward carrying on his family tradition and whatever education he received from his father. God bless him and I hope he finds more recognition and sucess. May his father's soul rest in peace.

[@appl2597]

He's very humble. Of course he's an artist, he creates new designs/sculptures.... He is both an artisan and an artist. There's a bit of heavy stuff towards the end. Great video as usual from OCS.

[@thesavagechicken]

What a fantastic insight into a dying trade. Thanks OGS for another well documented piece of heritage.

[@wenxuannn8002]

Hes doing great and im thankful that he held onto this business. Its really a pity that this shop will probably be the last in singapore but itll be forever part of our culture. Really respect this uncle and his family.

[@ReboundwithResilience]

Hooked from start to end...Love the Generation series. When Albert shared his slight regret, I felt it a bit. If you ever read this comment, just wanted to let you know that im deeply inspired by your dedication to the craft and commitment to the business :) Wishing you and your family all the very best

[@kevjumbaz]

passion is something that no amount of money can buy. no matter how rich your peers are, what is more important is that you are happy with the job that you are doing! :)

[@mayac5492]

Very touched by the video. Thank you for the beautiful craft and keeping the tradition alive!

[@littlejourney3178]

I salute your perseverance to keep your community art and too keep your Father's memory in it..

[@marthawinata]

So touching. Another great coverage by OGS!

[@Pasadena14]

What a beautiful story...❤️

[@baseplatecharlie]

Another stellar story by OGS, y'all are awesome!

[@narutofreak95]

This was so interesting and inspiring! Thank you OGS once again!

[@andreakio3710]

So much love and mad respect!!! I hope the owners realize how much their art and craft is so well looked upon, and it’s a success!

[@funkee9]

I've seen nativity sets made by this business. The sets are beautiful! So goad they are getting this recognition now.

[@skyzangal]

Uncle, please don’t regret the path you have chosen. Your artwork is unique and bring out the tradition. Not everyone can do it. Jiayou! :)

[@korokoro4772]

Such humble man and attitude... the newer generation can really learn from this.

[@narm4]

Amazing!

[@SenyoreLovel]

when i have extra money ill go there visit and buy that kind customized art of yours

[@jessicakai1]

Should hold more workshops to pass on the knowledge and traditions

[@mahjialing]

Wow! 😃

[@deschan2246]

Good

[@littleowlfamily]

Once upon a time for our next generation

[@Tungku66]

加油！

[@kienwenchang7108]

What is this civilisation scheme? Timeless.

[@cheongyiptuck5399]

Don't felt sad.I'm very proud you can earn a decent living.Be happy brothers

[@kienwenchang7108]

Singapore Dating City, Lucky Worships.

[@candychan7945]

How about the only sister? Didn't mention what is she doing?

[@jerome9588]

Yo thats my grandfather

[@johnong75]

Good. less pollution.

[@TANGUANXU]

.

[@RonLarhz]

They can make anime figurines. Btw why they nv make noise? The halleluyahs make noise n gahmen bend for them. 🙄🙄🙄

[@joannetan6606]

Sad