Official name: Lorong Abu Siti
English name: Aboo Sittee Lane
Traditional Malay name: Lorong Pushi (named after Mamak Pushi)
Hokkien name: 三牲巷 Sam-seng-hāng
Story of the Street
Lorong Abu Siti was named after Abu Siti, the late 19th century leader of Bangsawan, a Muslim street opera, because his house used to be there. The name “Bangsawan”, which means “nobility” is believed to have been given by Tunku Kudin.
During the era when television was not invented yet, street operas and wandering theatres are a popular form of entertainment that drew a following among the locals.
The interesting aspect of Aboo Sittee Lane is that there used to be a Muslim settlement here. The Malays and Indian Muslims had kampung houses here while the wealthier Muslim merchants had brick bungalows. Some of these bungalows are still standing today.
The Bangsawan opera traces its roots among the Indian Muslims. Indeed Abu Siti was also known as Mamak Pushi. His Bangsawan troupe, the Pusi Indera-Bangsawan, was formed in the 1890’s and staged a touring concert throughout Malaya and Indonesia.
Among the Chinese, Aboo Sittee Lane was known as Sam-seng-hāng in Hokkien, or Gangster’s Alley, because it was where Chinese thugs used to hangout. Aboo Sittee Lane was also known traditionally in Malay as Lorong Pushi.
