Image from series ‘Silent Witness’ by Claudia den Boer ©️ 2018.
Tau Sar Piah, a popular pastry in Malaysia, especially Penang, is literally translated as “bean paste pastry”.
This sweet and savoury rounded biscuits with thin layers of flaky skin and mung beans paste is known to be a traditional Hokkien delicacy for marriage ceremony available through traditional and modern confectionary shops.
Interview
Tau Sar Piah Baker, Mr. Sim & Sons.
Name: Sim Ah Ba
Age: 74
Experience: 1958 became a pastry apprentice and started his own business in 1967 (age 23).
Description: Mr. Sim came from a poor but big family. His father sent him to work
because the household income was too limited to support the family.
The artisan, Mr Sim Ah Ba, 74, became a pastry master since 1967, after 7 years of apprenticeship.
“A business like is merely enough to support a simple family. We can’t even afford to hire a worker of RM1000. All the (handmade) biscuits we make every day are enough for our own sales only. We aren’t supplying to other people”.
The younger son, Mr Sim Chin Hoong, 47, learned from his father since 13 and became the second generation of the business.
“I don’t know about others but for our business, the younger generations will hardly continue it”.
“The pay, the benefits and the amount of work just don't tally. The margin of selling biscuits is not enough to afford a normal daily wage of about RM100. It has not EPF and we get to rest only once a week” by Tau Sar Piah Baker, Mr Sim Ah Ba, 74.
Video re-edited by: @jasonyew_
Special thanks to Steve Long , Jye Lee, Leo Yap, Tai Chun Wai & Yeow Lai Chee.
Video still by Claudia den Boer used for scenography dance piece “Shou”.
Tau Sar Piah Baker x WUXU Dance troupe
The group of talented dancers who came to observe, learn, and understand the Tau Sar Piah Baker in “Your Memories Our Identity” come from a dance company, known as @wuxudancetroupe
WUXU is derived from Chinese words, “WU” and “XU”, whereby “WU” means dance and “XU” means continue, which literally means “to dance and to continue exploring”.
The organisation was established in January 2018 by @matttan616 that provides training in dance, mainly Chinese Traditional and Contemporary, and has since then been invited to perform on numerous events both locally and internationally.
The organisation is built with a vision: to promote and choreograph works that bring out the harmony blend of traditional and contemporary art in Malaysia Chinese Dance.
With “WUXU”, both its meaning and vision, the collaboration between us and them became rather clear and strong – heritage shall live on if it takes the bold steps in transformation and continuous exploration. At the same time, performing arts is given the opportunity to tap into the wisdom and beauty of the old gems.
Original video by Vfilm Sdn. Bhd.
Video edited by @jasonyew
The young artists of between 21 to 30 have shared their thoughts about this industry after observing the artisan:
Valentina: Traditional art is difficult because not many people see them. They do what they do regardless of people knowing about their existence.
Zhen Wei: The connection that the performers and the workers share is beautiful.
Jenny: A very well maintained and well-preserved traditional business.
JeeTeng: The movements are mesmerising. It is plain to see that his skilful movements are a result of his years of practice, and the passion that he has developed over time is an art.
We are also talking about their expectations of this collaboration.
Valentina: I am hoping the project will surprise me in many ways. I look forward to seeing and realising how our body movements bring out what the artisans have been doing for years.
JeeTeng: I would love to utilise my body, as the instrument to create, generate, assimilate, integrate and to infuse it with the thoughts and legacies, that are meant to be passed down, in a deeper and meaningful way.
Jenny:
I wish I could learn and understand various traditional industries. I am hoping to explore the possibilities of body language.
Zhen Wei:
To expose to other things besides dance teaching and performing as I believe different teacher works differently. And I am hoping to find the right style that suits me.
During the exploration, we also discussed "What would you do if you would inherit this skill?". It was very interesting to see the dancers share their thoughts in different ways.
ZhenWei:
If I were born in the family running this business, I would probably involve myself into bringing it alive again by tapping into the digital technology.
I must be the one to make the move instead of hoping others to do it.
I will, perhaps, promote and market it via LIVE events on the social media platforms.
I am rather optimistic that it will have it’s come back, or even better than it used to, if it is made available using the right methods. Who knows I will make a fortune with it during this pandemic since we cannot go anywhere? What else, besides food, can people do now except surfing the Internet and home shopping anyway?
I might grumble a little because I am still studying and I had to do two things at the same time, but I will still do it because it is family business. However, I might refuse to continue if I were forced to do it since young because it is different from doing it voluntarily. I might have my own thinking about what I want to do. The job is very time consuming because it is pure hand work. Perhaps that is why the younger generation never feel like continuing?
Yieng Zhu
Valentina:
Externally, I will change a new signboard but using the same building and location. I will provide delivery service for consumer’s demand, which ultimately will boost the sales.
Internally, I will expand the variety of biscuit, but Tau Sar Piah remain the main product. I will go back to using a traditional charcoal oven because of the special aroma and richness in flavours.
The idea of “handmade” will be our highlight to maintain authenticity and “warmth” as the emotional touch. I will not change the shop’s layout but will invest into efficiency such as computerised systems.
Jee Teng:
I would first make a forecast on how many biscuits shops will there be in the future.
Moving the shop to the corner unit of the building will help to increase its visibility.
The shop will use glass window display to boast products’ variety.
To amplify the sentimental feelings, all furniture in the shop will be wooden made.
Biscuits will be stored in glass containers, and product testing will be made available. We will provide various box size to meet customers’ needs.
The shop will be separated into three parts – the baking area, the dine in tables and chairs, and shelves for biscuits. It will go into serving food during breakfast and teatime too.
The attendants will be serving with designated seasonal uniform including hat, apron, shirt, skirt (female)/pants (male) with hair neatly tied.