16 September 1963 – A Nation is Born

On the historic midnight of 16 September 1963, a profound and unforgettable chapter in our nation's story began. The birth of Malaysia was more than just a political achievement; it was the realisation of the hopes, dreams, and determination of millions across the land. From the joyful streets of Penang and the colourful festivities in Sabah and Sarawak, to the symbolic ceremonies in Singapore, we stood united in the spirit of brotherhood, ready to embrace a shared destiny.

In the words of our beloved Bapa Malaysia, Tengku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj, "we have come together through our own free will and desire in the true spirit of brotherhood and love of freedom." Let us take a step back in time and read about this historic moment published in The Straits Times on Monday, 16 September 1963.

The story behind the universal stripes of the Buddhist flag

The Buddhist flag is a common sight in Buddhist communities today, often seen hanging from temple ceilings or columns indoors, or flying high from flagpoles.

"Inspirations from the Southeast – Penang, Malaysia" is a compelling documentary that deeply touches the heart

On 23 July 2003, I attended the documentary screening of "Inspirations from the Southeast – Penang, Malaysia" at GSC Cinema in Gurney Drive. This was the last of three screenings, part of George Town Festival and admission was free!

Bansan – a fresh take on board games and its relevance today

Board games have a long and fascinating history, dating back thousands of years to ancient civilisations such as Mesopotamia and Egypt. According to the British Museum (britishmuseum.org), the Royal Game of Ur is the oldest playable board game in the world, originating around 4,600 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia. Although they were once reserved for the elite, over time, board games evolved and spread across different cultures, becoming more accessible and popular among people from all walks of life.

The exotic, aesthetic fading tattoo of henna

The art of temporarily staining the skin with henna can create stunning, intricate designs that hold cultural significance. In Penang, this tradition is embraced by the Indian, Sikh and Malay communities, where it represents a rich, intangible cultural heritage, evoking cherished memories of festive celebrations and weddings. Visitors to Penang also join in the tradition, often adorning their hands with henna as part of the festivities. With henna artists readily available year-round in Little India, anyone can enjoy these beautiful designs, even for casual occasions.

The Sari: Queen of garments

The amazingly versatile sari (or saree) transcends mere fabric – it embodies the rich heritage of traditional South Asia women (and a few men) in countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. It is also a garment that covers all, yet is revealing, enchanting yet unassuming, serene yet sensuous. The sari, with its six yards or more of artistry, is a masterpiece of contradictions, seamlessly transitioning from workwear to leisure attire to a symbol of opulence, all within its elegant drapes.

The 32nd International Baba Nyonya Convention in Malacca

Sadhguru (Jaggi Vasudev), an influential yogi cautioned that the more we identify with something – religion, gender, race, ideology, money, et cetera – the more we will defend it, some even with our lives. Having said that, most of us feel the need to identify with things we hold dear, be it our family, heritage or even our social media status.

History of Little India

This meticulously regimented network was among the earliest parts of George Town planned under the administration of Sir Francis Light, the English founder of Penang. The area is hence now referred to as the "Francis Light Grid" – a rectangular network bordered by Leith Street, Beach Street, Chulia Street and Pitt Street (now Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling).

The legend of the ferocious beast called Nian

In Mandarin, the word "Nian" translates to "year". Yet, according to legend, Nian was far more than a mere symbol of time's passage. It was a fearsome, mythical creature that struck terror into the hearts of people during the New Year, so menacing that it threatened the very existence of humanity. Nian is said to have roamed the land in ancient China, during a time known as shànggǔ (roughly translated as "a very long time ago").

The many uses of the "horse racing" calendar

Introduction

It is relatively easy to know which day of the week it is. Similarly, we can more or less tell the time of day merely by looking outside the window. But how many of us can tell the date without referring to a calendar?

Ang pow, a red packet of prosperity and blessings

More than just a monetary gift, the ang pow (or ang bao) is a cultural symbol wrapped in a red envelope, a gesture of goodwill and blessings. Traditionally given during Chinese New Year, birthdays, weddings and other festive occasions, the red packet carries deep meaning and continues to hold significance today.

Sir Stamford Raffles and The History Of The Runnymede

Thomas Stamford Raffles was born in 1781, to Captain Benjamin Raffles and his wife Anne and in 1793 was sent as a boarder to the Mansion House Boarding school in Hammersmith, London. He joined the East India Company in London as a temporary clerk in 1795.

Heritage buildings in Penang

Acheen Street Mosque

Also known as Mesjid Melayu, the mosque was built on land donated by Syed Sheriff Tengku Syed Hussain Aidid an Arab merchant prince who came from Acheh in Sumatra. The vernacular-style mosque from 1808 remains basically unmodified except for the Moorish arcade added at the turn of the century.

Silat – a Malay martial art steeped in tradition

Like other forms of Oriental martial arts, the millenia-old Malay silat is equally popular and effective in exhibitive, entertainment and sporting functions as it is for actual combat. The etymology of the word silat refers to movement of the body and the art itself originated during pre-Islamic times. Historically, silat reached its zenith during the Majapahit dynasty (1292-1478).