When we returned to Singapore from Pankil, we had one day to unwind and regroup before leaving for London. We unpacked, did laundry, and repacked, but were content to just sit and relax, soaking up our last bit of family time. Then there was an errand to be run that promised to be truly an authentic Singaporean experience, so Chris and I jumped at the chance to go.
We pulled into a long row of industrial warehouses, where we found the little garage called Tay Guan Heng. Mr. Tay and his family run this factory that began as a joss stick manufacturer, 4 generations ago. They still make joss sticks, incense sticks for religious purposes or other ritual events, but began branching out to reach more western markets, especially as more and more westerners came to live in Singapore.
Unpainted Joss Sticks
Now they make beautiful nativity sets with their own Asian feel. Most of the nativity sets have to be custom ordered, but they come with your name and the year engraved on the back.
One of the amazing things about Tay Guan Heng’s work is that it’s all made using cinnamon tree saw dust . . . mixed with water. Each piece of art looks like it could be heavy, but they are so lightweight.
It was fun to watch them work on orders while we were there. No fancy equipment was used . . . everything is done by hand! They had a wine bottle for a rolling pin . . .
. . . and a plastic knife for detailing (in addition to fingernails, scissors, popsicle sticks, pens, cookie cutters, sticks, and paper clips)!
When each piece is finished, they are put on a rack to dry in front of a fan . . .
. . . or put outside to dry in the sun.
As we wouldn’t be in Singapore in a month to pick up a custom order (and Heidi & Joseph are packing up to leave), we weren’t planning on being able to walk away with a nativity set. However, there just so happened to be one that had been finished without a name on it, and the Tays very graciously sold it to us.
It was an amazing and insightful errand! Hopefully, the Tays will continue this amazing work so it doesn’t become a dying art.
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