Grandson is preserving his grandma’s 120-year-old craft through Airbnb
She’s been doing that in this small family business, the Say Tian Hng Buddha Shop, for the past 69 years.
But her craft may not last. Because of competition with cheap, mass-made sculptures, the store’s products can’t quite compete on the market.
As a result, the store, founded in 1896, is the only one left in Singapore making statues of these deities completely by hand.
To show more people what his family’s store can do, Tan’s grandson, Ng Tze Yong, put up a tour and hands-on lesson set as an Airbnb Experience.
Experiences is Airbnb’s attempt to provide activities and trips to travellers across the globe. Visitors are able to try out anything from local cooking sessions to urban sketch walks.
Whittling a deity from a block of wood
Ng, the grandson, told Mashable he believes his family’s shop has a future, but that it needs to be brought into the 21st century, with more exposure and to make the statues accessible to non-believers.
For example, they’ve started selling statues with brief description cards attached, so people know what they’re looking at.
What was the Experience like?
With the session limited to around two or three hours each, visitors aren’t able to make whole sculptures, but they’re able to try their hand at making part of a statue.
“We are really glad to see passionate locals, such as Chwee Lian and Tze Yong, wanting to highlight a unique and authentic side of Singapore to travellers from all around the world.”
For the most part, life goes on as usual for Tan despite the new disruption from curious, connected travellers.
“I’ve been here since I was 18. When I was married, I first learnt the skills from my [then] husband [the original owner of the store],” she says.
“I’ll do this for the rest of my life. I want to help my children, so I’ll do it until I can’t do it anymore.”
IMAGES:
A deity named Nezha is worshipped by gamblers for his swift moves and cheeky behavior. YVETTE TAN/MASHABLE
Visitors trying their hand out at the store IMAGE: YVETTE TAN/MASHABLE
Buddhist and Taoist adherents worship hundreds of gods and immortals, and many of these statues are also placed at home for worship. IMAGE: YVETTE TAN/MASHABLE
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