A Taste of Cross-cultural Practices of George Town with 80+ Penang’s School Principals

 

Kembara Warisan Trail was specially adapted from Heritage Exploration Trail (HET) – a student programme under Arts-ED’s Cultural Heritage Education Programme (CHEP). HET provides primary and secondary school students opportunities to examine the communal living and cultural practices of the early settlements in George Town.

80++ principals from Penang’s secondary schools took part in an interactive cum experiential trail usually meant for student participants. As usual, George Town managed to surprise its visitors with its historical and cultural richness and diversity.

Other than visiting the settlements, the principals got to partake in many cultural practices still upheld today like hand-rolling joss sticks, preparing teh tarik, making sireh and many more. 

Exploring rituals, practices, and the history of Little India, a place where South Indian labourers and workers gathered in the 20th century.

Exploring rituals, practices, and the history of Little India, a place where South Indian labourers and workers gathered in the 20th century.

Finding local and foreign influences in the architecture of St. George’s Church, the oldest Anglican Church in Southeast Asia.

Visiting Kuan Yin Temple, a unique place of worship dedicated to both the Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin) and the Goddess of the Sea (Mazu).

Uncle Lee, Sr. and Uncle Lee, Jr. shared their stories and joss stick making tips at their shophouse, a business that has been running for decades. Instead of producing rigid and traditional joss sticks, Uncle Lee, Sr. makes ones with greetings and wishes on them, a show of his innovative spirit.

Hunting for cross-cultural food and learning to make teh tarik in Little India.

On a treasure hunt to identify spices that are used in many dishes across ethnicity.

On a treasure hunt to identify spices that are used in many dishes across ethnicity.

Making paan, a traditional Indian dessert made with sireh leaf. Older Nyonya ladies, otherwise known as bibik, also have the practice of eating sireh leaf but in a slightly different way.

Making paan, a traditional Indian dessert made with sireh leaf. Older Nyonya ladies, otherwise known as bibik, also have the practice of eating sireh leaf but in a slightly different way.

School principals were asked to pose with a gesture symbolising ‘cross-culture’ and this is what each one came up with.

School principals were asked to pose with a gesture symbolising ‘cross-culture’ and this is what each one came up with.

We were glad to see the willingness of principals to be involved in cross-cultural practices and are looking forward to seeing more openness on interracial issues in schools.

Reported by Kong Pin Rou

Photos by Kong Pin Rou, Rose Afrina, Josephine Chan, Foo Wei Meng

 
ArtsED