On The Crest Of Prayer – The Thaipusam Story

From the top of the green hill, the endless string of devotees dotting its way up the concrete steps seemed like a sacred procession of silence.

Carrying milk-pots of brass and silver, and harnessed in colourful kavadis, the worshippers inched their way to the great temple overhead with sweet hypnotic resolve. The children, the elders, even the disabled ones, scaled slowly with their ceremonial burdens, ascending with a mission to the call of the good Lord Muruga above.

Chap Goh Meh – The Night of Romance

A fascinating Chap Goh Meh story tells the tale of a lonely young bachelor, who during an outing on this moonlit night, was suddenly enchanted when he caught a glimpse of the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Intrigued by this exquisitely delicate beauty in all her finery, he wondered about her identity. With excitement pounding in his heart, the hopeful young man swiftly jotted down her car's number. The following morning, driven by enthusiasm, he sought her address and eagerly asked his mother to send a matchmaker to the home of the girl he envisioned marrying.

The Spring Festival – an insight into the festivities of Chinese New Year

The Chinese community observes various festivals, encompassing both religious and secular occasions. Among these, a particularly significant celebration is the Spring Festival, commonly referred to in Penang as Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year.

Celebrating Peranakan heritage at the 35th Baba Nyonya International Convention in Phuket

The Thai Peranakan Association had the honour of hosting the 35th Baba Nyonya International Convention at the Duangjitt Resort & Spa from 15-17 November 2024. This vibrant gathering brought together over 500 delegates from Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Kelantan, Terengganu, Singapore, Indonesia, Perth and Melbourne, fostering a rich exchange of cultural identities and strengthening the bonds that unite the global Peranakan community.

Remembering loved ones on All Souls' Day

All Souls' Day is a solemn way to remember those who have passed, to keep their memory alive in our hearts and to offer prayers for their souls. This day gently calls us to extend our compassion beyond the familiar, not only for those we have loved deeply but also for the "neglected souls" – those who may have been forgotten over time. Such prayers are seen as acts of charity, offerings made in the spirit of hope, that all souls may find peace on their journey to heaven.

My understanding of All Saints' Day

Images of St. Joseph from the Roman Catholic Penang Diocesan Museum, Farquhar Street, Penang.

Can you name five saints, even if you are not Catholic? Perhaps the first name that springs to mind is St. Anne, the beloved grandmother of Jesus. Her legacy lives on in the beautiful church dedicated to her in Bukit Mertajam. Alongside her stands her daughter Mary, the mother of Jesus, figures whose stories resonate with many.

Deepavali – Celebrating the Light

Squatting at a corner of King Street amid the human bustle of Penang's Little India, Manickam P. sorts through a giant pile of fresh green banana leaves.

Clad in baggy khaki shorts and a sweat-soaked singlet, he seems to take no notice of either the automobiles that incessantly purr past or the hundreds of human apparitions that mill by him. The elderly odd-job worker certainly has his work cut out for him nowadays.

The Grand Celebration of the Nine Emperor Gods in Penang

How far would you go to uphold your beliefs? Would you, with unwavering faith, adopt a strict vegetarian diet for nine consecutive days? Could you walk barefoot across glowing embers or pierce your cheeks with a long spear, enduring pain as a testament to your devotion? Or are you more comfortable as an armchair devotee, observing from a distance, content in the safety of your comfort zone?

Of lanterns and mooncakes

"The Chinese people have never demanded a clear separation of the worlds of myth and reality – indeed, they are so closely bound up that it is hard to say where one begins and the other ends." – An Introduction to Oriental Mythology, Clio Whittaker et al

"The moon, along with fine wine and beautiful women, is a favourite topic for the Chinese poets." – Chinese proverb

"Nature At Play", Michael Quah's evocative solo art show

Besides my beloved parents, a handful of inspiring teachers have steered my decision to make art my career, and what a rewarding and fruitful endeavour it has been. Among them are Mr Ng Kok Lum (La Salle School, Form 1-3), Mr Michael Quah (St. Xavier's Institution, Form 4-5) and all my lecturers at The Malaysian Institute of Art.

Echoes of history: "Lim Boon Keng – The Musical" at Jen Hotel

On Sunday, 14 July 2024, I had the pleasure of attending an enchanting evening at the Grand Ballroom of Jen Hotel. The occasion was the screening of "Lim Boon Keng – The Musical", thoughtfully paired with a Penang-Singapore people-to-people friendship dinner. The event combined cultural celebration, historical reflection and fine dining, creating a charming evening.

SPP 30th Anniversary Twin City Photo Exhibition: A Visual Extravaganza!

Embarking on a captivating photographic journey, the Society of Photographers Penang (SPP) commemorated its 30th Anniversary with a Twin City Photo Exhibition and a series of thrilling photography activities held at Gurney Walk from 7 to 15 December 2023.

Captivating Moments: 34th Baba Nyonya International Convention and SCPA's 103rd Anniversary Celebration

Alongside 29 members of the State Chinese (Penang) Association (SCPA), we journeyed to Malacca for the 34th Baba Nyonya International Convention held on 24-26 November 2023, hosted by Persatuan Peranakan Baba Nyonya Malaysia. President Dato' Ronald Gan and his organising team, led by Lee Yuen Thien, dedicated themselves to orchestrating a series of captivating events centred around the theme "Between Man and the Ocean", featuring the "chi-wen" (fish-like dragon), believed to be one of the nine sons of the dragon, providing protection from harm and misfortune for all.

Awal Muharram and the Hijri Calendar: marking Islamic History and Traditions

Awal Muharram, also known as Maal Hijrah, marks the beginning of the new Hijri year, falling on the first day of Muharram on the Muslim calendar. The phrase "Maal Hijrah" in Arabic translates to "migration", symbolising Prophet Muhammad's emigration as a process of positive change and leaving behind negative aspects of life. Thus, this new year's day for Muslims emphasises reflection, remembrance and gratitude.

Pictorial essay of the energetic Angin OMbulan performance

21 July 2022 • 8:30 pm • Fort Cornwallis, Penang

Aida Redza and Kamal Sabran teamed up once again under the George Town Festival 2022 in Angin OMbulan, an on-site experimental performance. It was an expanded version of “Ssegar Angin” that was presented at the Venice Arts Biennale in April 2022 under the invitation of Port Perak, supported by George Town Festival 2022.

St. Patrick’s Ball 2017 through the lens of a Nikon D750

Yes, I am a Nikon D750 and would like to invite you to stop, pause and discover wonderful things I see through my lens. I am a brilliant engineering wonder that has evolved through the passage of photography. Having said that, the man who decides how much light goes through me, how fast the shutter speed is and when to capture that magical moment makes all the difference in the outcome of a photograph.

Fate of Little Penang Street Market uncertain after tomorrow

The Star, Saturday, 29 July 2017

BY AFTER 11 LONG YEARS BEING A VIBRANT, INTERESTING BAZAAR, AND THE FINAL CURTAIN WILL FALL ON THE LITTLE PENANG STREET MARKET (LPSM).

(From right) LPSM committee members Khoo, Cheah, Ong and MBPP assistant administrative officer Amir Ali showing the press release on the last Little Penang Street Market and its 11th anniversary celebration.

For all the stakeholders, tomorrow will surely be a special occasion as the LPSM will also be celebrating its 11th anniversary.

“This will be the last Little Penang Street Market for us. We do not know what will happen next.

Little Penang Street Market - more than meets the eye

To call the Little Penang Street Market a microcosm of Penang and Malaysian cultures is no empty boast. Its multi-faceted makeup has little parallels elsewhere. But it is also an incomplete description. The Street Market isn't merely another weekend shopping spot. Penang already has plenty of those, both traditional and modern, elaborate and simple, for every day of the week. In fact, Penang is such a shopper's paradise that some have been 'moved' to say, in local language "tengok pun dah kenyang" (a Malay phrase meaning that one is sated merely by looking).

Plan to breathe new life into market

The Star, Friday, 4 August 2017
BY CHONG KAH YUAN

THE state government is working on a solution to keep the Little Penang Street Market going.

The market held at Upper Penang Road has just marked its 11th anniversary but its future is now uncertain after the organising committee members expressed their wish to retire.

State Local Government Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said he was open to new ideas on how to use the space.

Types of durians I am crazy about

People have their own preferences when it comes to durians and mine lean strongly towards fruits from older trees. These tend to yield durians with a smoother, creamier texture and a deeper, more pronounced aroma and flavour. Interestingly, even durians from the same tree can taste different from one season to the next, influenced by soil composition and changing weather conditions. For instance, the much-coveted Or Chi (Black Thorn) does not always deliver the same profile each year.