Foo Clan Association is the oldest Hainanese clan group in Southeast Asia. It was originally founded by pioneers sharing the Foo surname to establish a contact network, so as to help new immigrants find work, lodging, and even life partners.
In 1887, these pioneers pooled their resources to purchase a two-storey building in Middle Road so they could have a permanent place to worship their ancestors, as well as provide shelter for newly arrived immigrants or clansmen en route to Malaysia, Borneo, and Indonesia. As demand grew, they expanded across the street and established the Foo Clan Building in 1954. Due to government land requisition, they relocated to Geylang in 1996 and have remained there ever since.
Following the popularisation of roots-seeking movements in various parts of China, and the call to compile a 38 volume set of genealogical records, it is now the Foo Clan’s new mission to spread clan culture, help Foo families in need, as well as maintain ties with counterparts around the world.
Paintings and calligraphies by artists such as Yu Youren and Fu Shiren reflect the clan’s history, which is a microcosm of Singapore’s history.
