Artisanal Crafts That Keep Penang’s Cultural Heritage Alive

Apart from the great delicacies available in Penang, there is also a strong market for a range of traditional artists who practice their trades.

Many of these have been around since Malaysia’s independence! In keeping with the history of preserving Penang’s cultural heritage, here are 7 artisanal Malaysian crafts that we believe you should be aware of:

1. The Kasut Manek is a Peranakan footwear with its muka kasut (shoe cover) made entirely of hand-stitched beads. Usually paired with the colorful Nyonya Kebaya, the combination of the two makes for an elegant display of the Nyonya artistry. You can shop for these beauties at Armenian Street in the heart of Georgetown itself!

Handmade Nyonya Beaded Shoes
Address: 4 Lebuh Armenian, George Town
Operating Hours: Daily, 9:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

2. Seang Hin Leong is one of the few remaining rattan weaving shops in Malaysia, selling a variety of rattan and bamboo products. The store has been passed down through generations, with the current owner being the fifth family to continue the craft. It’s no surprise that the business was recognized as a ‘Living Heritage of Penang’ by the Penang Heritage Trust in 2009!

Seang Hin Leong
Address: 393 Lebuh Pantai, George Town
Operating Hours: Daily except for Sunday and Public Holidays, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

 

3. Despite the fact that most songkok vendors today use modern machinery, Haja Mohideen Mohammed Shariff continues his father’s history as a songkok manufacturer. The store has been in business since 1936. Every songkok is still handcrafted the traditional way, with love and care, from cutting the velvet to stitching the base together! Among his most prestigious clients are the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin, and Malaysia’s former Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Kedai Songkok OSM Mohd Shariff
Address: 157 Lebuh King, George Town
Operating Hours: Daily except for Sunday and Public Holidays, 10:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

4. Be awed by the dangling flower garlands frequently produced for altar offerings at Hindu temples on Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, located close to the Goddess of Mercy temple! A simple garland constructed of Jasmines takes a professional craftsman around 5 minutes to make, while an array of flowers can take up to 20 minutes. Each flower has its own importance, and garlands are produced for special occasions such as weddings, funerals, prayers, and even as gifts!

Address: Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling (next to Goddess of Mercy Temple), George Town
Operating Hours: Daily, 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

5. You won’t be able to ignore the sight of trishaws while strolling about Georgetown! While this mode of transportation is no longer common, ancient cities such as Georgetown and Malacca still use it as a tourist attraction. Mr. Choo Yew Choon, Georgetown’s last remaining trishaw builder, not only manufactures and maintains these marvelous contraptions of the past, but he also spends his time repairing bicycles, pushcarts, and mobile hawker stalls.

Hup Huat Tricycle and Bicycle Repair
Address: 5 Jalan Pantai Tali, George Town
Operating Hours: Daily, 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

6. Traditional Chinese signboards are frequently visible at business doors and historic residences, and are often carved in gold calligraphy with the surnames of the shop owner or families, or fortunate Chinese phrases. Mr. Lee Chee Cheng is regarded as a master craftsman in signboard making in Penang, selling one plaque for up to RM2000. His masterpieces are handcrafted with care from native Jelutong wood and gold leaf sourced from China.

Sung Dynasty Wood Carving
Address: 77, Lebuh Carnavon, 10100 George Town, Penang. Operating Hours: Daily, 10.00am – 5.00pm

7. Kapok, a soft and silky natural fiber produced from the Kapok tree, has been used for decades in Malaysia to fill pillows, bolsters, and even mattresses. It is also cooling and hypoallergenic, making it ideal for individuals who enjoy sleeping without air conditioning and have sensitive skin! Chin Huat, one of the few establishments in Malaysia that specializes in this trade the old-fashioned method, handcrafts up to ten Kapok pillows per day!

Chin Huat
Address: 78 Lebuh Cintra, George Town
Operating Hours: Daily except for Sundays and Public Holidays, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

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