My Island Penang

by Pearly Kee
(Penang, Malaysia)

Thaipusam In Penang

My Island Penang, one of the loveliest destination with multi cultural tradition still very much alive! Come and visit us and wonderful warm smiles from the heart awaits you!

Penang seems to be very laid back for some. They even say two days is enough for them, but how can that be? Even as a local, I still have not completed seeing my island Penang. So follow me on a personal journey as I rediscover some very traditional customs only practiced in Penang, Malaysia.

And our customs and tradition, I was told by some of my white friends, are scary. For example, at our Indian Festival called Thaipusam held in January or February, people from all walks of life, even the whites will come to Penang to experience this wondrous yearly festival. This is a very Malaysian culture and one can witness this celebrated on a big scale in Penang and Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur.

Don't be surprised if some of the locals do not even know the heritage and how rich in heritage we are. I remember as a child having to cook and cut vegetables finely, every month or so, there seems to be prayers in the house. If not to the Gods or deities, it was for the ancestors as Ancestor worship is a must to Chinese in Penang. I feel very privileged to find out more about my heritage and lineage back to 200 years ago when our forefathers landed in Penang from China.