Puning (Chinese Postal Map Romanisation: Puning; simplified Chinese: 普宁; traditional Chinese: 普寧; pinyin: Pǔníng) is a county-level city in the municipal region of Jieyang, in the southeast of Guangdong province, People’s Republic of China.

My grandfather was born in a small village near Puning, Guangdong Province, China. He traveled to Malaysia by sea in 1930s, carried only a square wooden box loaded with some clothing. He settled down and started his living near Bukit Mertajam Penang area. He married to a local Chinese (My grandmother), and gave birth my father in 1942. I have my uncle and auntie born in Malaysia the subsequence year, a total of 9 uncles and auntie to be precise.

I was born in Malaysia later year. I am a pure Chinese who has taught to believe in Taoism. I was taught to speak Mandarin, Teochew, and Hokkien in my family. I learned English and Malay in school. I learned Cantonese while I done my degree in United State. Puning was the place where all the Teochew people originated. If you are not sure about Teochew people, just remember the Teochew porridge you see and eat in some of the restaurant in Malaysia.

I was lucky to visit Puning two months ago with my parent. I have the opportunity to visit the village where my grandfather born. I met my father’s cousin. They are the son and daughter of my grandfather’s brother and sister. In short, they are my uncle and auntie in Mainland China. And, I found many more cousins in the village too. I already have plenty of cousins in Malaysia.

The village is located in between Jieyang and Puning city. This is a very small village with nothing else beside livestock and living household. The young one mostly has left the village to find their dream in the city. The remaining resident are mostly old folk and children.

I found my family roots in Puning, Guangdong China. I couldn’t imagine what if my grandfather never came to Malaysia. Where will I be?

Here…..?

Equipment Used: Fujifilm Klasse W 28mm f2.8