Penang's Unique Languages Under Threat
4 min read
IN THE BUSTLING Air Itam market area, the air thrums with a symphony of voices. A hawker calls out in…
George Town’s Chulias and Their Forgotten Legacy
5 min read
THE TAMIL MUSLIM community in George Town, also known as Chulias, arrived from Kedah, the main destination for Muslim traders…
Spotlight on Silambam: An Ancient Indian Martial Art
5 min read
After Malaya’s independence, Silambam flourished; classes were often held in community centres, temples or open-air venues. What many may not know is that Silambam in Malaysia can be classified into two types: sports Silambam and tradition Silambam.
Women-Focused NGOs: Better Working Together
4 min read
IN THE 1980S, women’s organisations were relatively scarce, but their number began to rise following Malaysia’s ratification of…
The T’ng Tok Panjang in Ancestral Worship
9 min read
The traditional t’ng tok panjang is rather narrow, with chairs arranged on both sides of the table. The two ends of the table are traditionally left unoccupied.
UNICEF: Female Household Heads Face Greater Socio-economic Challenges
5 min read
ALTHOUGH THE GLOBAL economy has largely recovered since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, lingering socio-economic impacts of…
Ooi Eow Jin: A Humble Virtuoso in Malaysia’s Music History
8 min read
“Mr. Ooi is one of a handful of non-Malays involved in a predominantly Malay business: ‘Playing Malay music and appreciating…
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Are Beauty Pageants Out of Date?
3 min read
THE FIRST BEAUTY PAGEANT, Miss World, was created in 1951 by Eric Morley in the UK. Miss Universe debuted a…
Oil and Oppression: Women’s Struggles in the Palm Oil Industry
5 min read
*Names changed to protect identities.
PALM OIL IS the lifeblood of Malaysia’s economy, contributing USD37.4bil in exports in…
Exploring the Legend of Nakhoda Ragam
3 min read
WHEN I WATCHED Upin & Ipin: Keris Siamang Tunggal at the cinema, I was pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of…
Archaeological Evidence of Penang's Cosmopolitan Islamic Heritage
5 min read
THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT archaeological traces that hint at a vibrant historical past in Penang. From the discoveries of the Penang…
