Malaysian traditional games are a big part of the nation's intercultural dialogue

Whether a neighbourhood pastime or community sport, the ‘gasing’ (spinning top) game is a familiar cultural activity recognised - if not played - by most Malaysians. Photo: Filepic

Sitting on the porch of her house in the southern tip of Penang island, a young girl raises her hand to drop well-worn marbles into the wells of a congkak set.

She’s surrounded by a small group of her peers and after a short while, her grandfather can be seen poking his head out to check on the group.