Liani MK

Of mixed indigenous roots, Liani MK is an independent writer, journalist and artist covering indigenous knowledge, migration, language, film and culture in Southeast Asia.

21 posts

Nira Nipah: The Sweet Sap of Penang

4 min read

Coastal dwellers across Southeast Asia—especially those living in the northern states of Peninsular Malaysia—have, for centuries, tapped the stem of the nipah flower to collect its sap, known as nira.

by Liani MK

Bahasa Tanjong as Reflection of George Town Identity

5 min read

Bahasa Tanjong is a variation of the northern Malay dialect that, according to researchers, took shape over two centuries ago, making it more than just an accent.

by Liani MK

Flashes in the Dark: Learning to Protect Fireflies

5 min read

As part of this year’s World Firefly Day celebration on July 5, researchers, families and firefly enthusiasts had gathered in Bukit Kiara to spot these rare insects. It is also a way for researchers to connect science with public curiosity and encourage community-led biodiversity conservation.

by Liani MK

The Nyonya Kebaya: Wearing A Deep Heritage

5 min read

The exact origins of the kebaya are not known and are still debated, but two theories appear to prevail.

by Liani MK

The Contours of Home: From Palais to Pulau, An Exhibition on Belonging and Oddities

7 min read

Photos courtesy of Critical Craft Collective WHILE HOME REPRESENTS safety and comfort, it also acts as an intimate space shaped…

by Liani MK

What's in a Name?: The Many Lives of Penang's Roads

4 min read

FOR ANY VISITOR, George Town’s colonial footprint is easily evident in the names of roads, named after European administrators,…

by Liani MK

On the Cusp of Penang Haute Cuisine

5 min read

GROWING UP IN Penang as a lover of nasi (rice) in all forms, I recall queasiness at sampling what I…

by Liani MK

Penang Snack Makeover

4 min read

FOR A PENANG foodie who is always in need of the occasional kick in between dry meetings on long weekdays,…

by Liani MK

Fermented Food: A Plate of Penang's Rich Story

5 min read

Do you remember your first taste of tosai? It is an entire experience. A sleepy daybreak sojourn into a nondescript kedai under an ageing tree.

by Liani MK

From Self-Defence to Social Activism: Making Real Impact through Conscious Decisions

7 min read

Photos courtesy of Vairavasundaram Rajasegaran.

by Liani MK

Sounds and Silence: Experimental Music Permeates Penang Spaces

8 min read

Photos by Shankar Laxminarayan and courtesy of Kamal Sabran.

by Liani MK

Penang for Everyone—Inclusion Needs Changes in Mindset

8 min read

PENANG IS KNOWN for its old-time charm, even as rising skyscrapers punctuate the expanse of its skies. Its landscape is quickly changing with the introduction o...

by Liani MK