Hauntings of Somapah
Hauntings of Somapah
Aziz
Cik Gu Zainol told my Malay class.... we combined classes
and sat in Sec 1H, old RI.
The temenggong approached Maj Farquhar and queried on how
the bridge across the mouth of Singapore was to be built- its so wide. Better to built upstream where the distance
is shorter. Maj Farquhar told the
temenggong... "kalau kita guna kepala nescaya boleh" (if we use head
sure can). Temenggong said "kepala
siapa" (whos head). Farquhar said kepala "botak" but he actually
meant kepala "otak" (brain)! pointing to the head. BUT THE TEMENGGONG HEARD WRONGLY AS
"KEPALA BUDAK" (child's head).... and from there the myths got
perpetuated.
Bee Ngah
Mono intake in 79, I was in 2 SIR Bedok Camp
Chin Kong
Sagoff, do you got photos of the village around the school,
somapah areas? I recall there was this "head hunter" rumor going
around in primary 2 or 3. Human heads were apparently displayed in the Somapah
area. That was a really scary period in childhood.
Dhanaraj
Those were scary times! They needed the heads to build
Nicoll Highway!
Kok Keong
Somapah or Koh Sek Lim area is the start FUP of a infantry
brigade exercise (I cannot remember the code name). I participated in this exe
as an infantry corporal in 3 SIR. the final assault point is in Marsiling
hills. we walked all the way to the final objective. I remembered clearly
because this a tough exercise for me. Had heavy downpour during the movement.
The Brigade exercise was likely in 1978
Lok Haw
Indeed it is (buildings of Somapah are still there). Seems
not in use for years now. I live a cross the road. The pic of Somapah, there
was an open air cinema right side of the road.
Moh Teck
Somapah.... I was in the infantry when in NS. This was one
or close to the training area.
Sagoff
I think I have seen pictures of somapah. But not sure
where. Yes, the rumours of head hunters juts to scare us kids.
It was said that heads are needed to ensure bridges did not
collapse.
Found this link on somapah village
The nearest OPD (clinic) for my kampung was at Somapah.
Sometimes, i would cycle with a classmate from koh sek lim road along the coast
passing padang terbakar, telok mata ikan up to somapah.
I have always wondered whether the word xilin as in xilin
avenue is the mandarin version of Sek Lim?
My grandma told me that too. That they prayed and sacrified
the blood of children. Is there truth in thesetales? Yes , she said it was for
the building of Nicoll Highway.
The building is still there, I believe. Passed the row of
shops on the way to the OPD.
Wee Teck
Loh Seak Yau and myself were from Changkat Changi, though
from different sessions. We lived in Somapah area. Another boy, Prakash, not in
1F, lived even further in Changi Point. We took bus services #1 and 2.
Comments
Post a Comment