Locals and tourists trying Chinese brush painting. — Photos: Zhafaran Nasib/The Star
COMMUNITIES in Penang have been enjoying a leisurely stroll down memory lane in celebration of Heritage Day.
They spent time playing traditional games, immersing in age-old artforms and dancing along to classic melodies at several events across George Town.
This included the Meng Eng Soo Open Day at the ancestral temple’s premises in Jalan Pintal Tali, which featured some 40 interactive stalls and two performance stages.
Many families were seen encouraging their little ones to try crafts like paper cutting, seal carving, calligraphy, wood carving, brush painting, potpourri making and coconut leaf art.
A delightful ‘ronggeng’ performance draws many guests including Chow (front, centre), Lim and Phee. — Courtesy of Penang Walkabouts
Others enjoyed reciting nursery rhymes, donning traditional costumes or listening to storytellers share untold stories and secrets about Meng Eng Soo, which was founded in 1890.
Eyes were also glued to stages where a Chinese orchestra and drum performances as well as cultural dances unfolded.
Silat, boria, Bollywood and tabla performances further enlivened proceedings.
Some visitors gave traditional musical instruments like the kompang and angklung a try, while others savoured classic treats such as ondeh-ondeh, putu mayam, ang ku kuih and sugar-coated haws.
The event, which attracted thousands of visitors, featured Chingay and lion dance performances too.
Chinese drums performance during the Meng Eng Soo Open Day.
There were also activities at New World Park to mark the anniversary of George Town’s Unesco World Heritage listing.
Organised by the Penang Walkabouts Group on its Members Day, a crowd of around 600 people enjoyed heritage foods alongside a ronggeng performance by Penang Peranakan Baba and Nyonya Association.
“This was the first time ronggeng returned to New World Park in over 70 years,” said its group communications head Peter Yeoh.
Crowds snapping up scrumptious dumplings.
There was no better way to celebrate the state’s cultural heritage, he added, than highlighting a dance that was popular among the local folk.
Joining the gaiety on stage was caretaker Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying, caretaker state executive councillors and incumbent assemblymen.
Penang Walkabouts is a Facebook group started in 2016 by former lecturer Robert Teh to bring together those who enjoy experiencing George Town and its outlying districts on foot.
Children enjoying a snakes and ladders game.
It also promotes interesting events, festivals, food and culture to help local businesses.
Today, it has over 45,000 members from 100 countries, of whom 17,000 reside in Penang.
Its series of guided community walkabouts include the Burmese Heritage Trail, Japanese Story Trail, German Heritage Trail and Penang Food Heritage Trail.
For more information or to sign up, visit their Facebook page.
