Races

Malay

 

The Malays of Penang today forms the second biggest ethnic group in Penang. In the latest statistics of 2011, as reported by the Department of Statistics (The Star, 4 August 2011), there are 636,136 Malays in Penang in 2011. This is a decline of 18,164 from the figure released for 2009, which is 654,300.

The Malays became the majority ethnic group in Penang in 2009, for the first time in recent history, when they surpassed the Chinese. However, the latest figures for 2010 shows that the Chinese is once again the majority in Penang, accouting for 670,400 of Penang's 1.5 million population, and 2.2% more than the Malays for 2010.

The Malay population in Penang has over the past decade narrowed the gap with the Chinese. A variety of reasons contribute to the growing percentage of Malays in Penang compared to the Chinese, among them the fewer number of children per Chinese family, the lower marriage age of Malay couples compared to Chinese couples, the reluctance of Chinese couples to have more children, the migration of Malays from the less developed states to Penang, the migration of Chinese from Penang to other cities such as Kuala Lumpur, as well as to overseas destinations such as Singapore and Australia, and non-pure-breed Malays such as Indian Muslims and Indonesians often passing themselves as Malays

Chinese

 

  The ethnic Chinese in Penang (who form the majority) usually speak a localized variant of Hokkien known as Penang Hokkien, which Minnan speakers from Taiwan and Fujian may have some difficulty understanding due to the slang and some loan words from Malay. Most ethnic Chinese are also able to speak Mandarin, and many are also able to speak Cantonese and Hakka

Indian

 

Covering an area around Lebuh Queen, Lebuh Chulia and Jalan Pasar (Market Street), Little India in the city of Penang, Malaysia, is an ethnic Indian enclave.The oldest hindu temple in Penang, Sri Mahamariamman Temple located here.During the early days of the settlement, Lebuh Chulia was alloted to the Indian immigrants as their enclave.However, over the years, the Chinese immigrant settler community grew in size, resulting in Little India being cocooned in the centre of the ever-growing Chinese community and bordering what is today referred to as Chinatown. The Indian immigrant settlers took up a variety of roles in the settlement, as agricultural labourers, money lenders and spice traders

Events

Penang International Dragon Boat Race

Attracting participants from all over the world since its inception in 1979, this annual event was created as a way to venerate the celestial dragon of the Chinese culture. Originating from China, dragon boat festivals are now being held in various locations around the globe. Watch colourful boats fitted with decorative dragon heads race each other accompanied by the loud and rhythmic thumping of the drums.

Nine Emperor God Festival

 

The worship of Nine Emperor Gods (Known as Kew Ong Yah in Hokkie, and Koh Wong Yeh in Cantonese) is very prevalent in Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.
Every year, the Nine Emperor Gods Festival is held for nine days, from the first day to the ninth day of the 9th lunar month. This is when the spirits of the Nine Emperor Gods which are believed to dwell in the starts, descend to earth and possess the spirits mediums, putting them in a trance.
During the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, many devotees will go on a vegetarian diet. Stalls are set up to sell vegetarian food, vegetarian cake and goodies. An opera show will also be performed as a mark of respect to the Gods.
During the 9 days, you will be able to witness a variety of events like the Spear Skewing Ceremony, the Making of the Herbal Medicine and the Fire walking Ceremony. These rituals are spectacular, extraordinary but yet challenging.

Bon Odori Festival

 

 

Organised by the Malaysian Japanese Society, the Bon Odori Festival is the Japanese version of the Chinese's Hungry Ghost Festival, where Japanese expatriates both young and old take part in this carnival-like festival to pay homage to their descendants.

Special Foods

Hokkien Mee

Just like char kuay teow, Hokkien mee comes in different versions in this country. The Penang version is soup-based and watery, as opposed to the Kuala Lumpur version which is fried in dark soy sauce and quite sticky. The soup is probably the most important part of the dish. Made from fragrant stock consisting of shrimp paste and dried prawns which are then brought to the boil with a bit of lard for texture, it gives the dish its intoxicating aroma. It is then served in a bowl with noodles, together with prawns, fish cakes, leafy greens, pork ribs, squids, vegetables, crisp deep-fried shallots, spring onions, fresh lime, chillies, light soy sauce and a bit of sambal on the side. This dish can also be found in hawker centres along the main streets.

Penang Nyonya Kuih

 

Dubbed ‘The Pearl of the Orient’ by foreign traders back in the olden days, Penang is well-known for its abundance of superb, authentic hawkers’ delights which the locals claim can’t be duplicated elsewhere. In Penang, hawker food is as delicious as – if not more than - the finest gourmet experience in any city. It is also very popular. Many Malaysians hold Penang as the top foodies’ destination in the region, not because of some fancy restaurants but rather for the humble eateries and stalls that line the streets.
Since Penang is synonymous with good food (eating also seems to be Penangites’ favourite pastime), there are many places where one can find a good concentration of hawker stalls and restaurants on the island, especially in Georgetown. The island is famous for their Nyonya-inspired flavours. Malacca may be more famous for their Nyonya culture, but in terms of cooking, it is the Penang Nyonya flavours that capture the hearts (and stomachs) of many.
Amongst Penang’s most popular culinary delights are Penang Char Kuay Teow, Assam Laksa, Tar Sau Peah, Rojak Pasembur, Nasi Kandar and Hokkien Mee

Penang Nasi Kandar

  

Penang Nasi Kandar a popular rice meal of Indian Muslim origin. It is one of the most famous hawker food of Penang, and is one that all races can enjoy, as it is sold by Muslims.

The nasi kandar got its name from the rod that was once used to shoulder the food from place to place. In the old days, itinerant nasi kandar vendors would carry the rice and various dishes suspended from either ends of a pole to their customers. This portable style of selling nasi kandar has entirely disappeared, and the dish retains nothing from the old days but its name. Today nasi kandar stalls are more likely to be stationed on a permanent site, either in a coffee shop or, in its most recent incarnation, 24-hour Nasi Kandar Shops.

Interesting Places

Arulmigu Karumariamman Temple in Penang

  

Arulmigu Karumariamman Temple is a South Indian Hindu temple set beside the Penang Bird Park. Built in 1997, it is noteworthy because it has the largest and tallest (72ft) rajagopuram (main sculpture tower) in Malaysia. The RM2.3 million temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Arulmigu Karumariamman.

 Located in Seberang Jaya, the entrance to the rajagopuram, at 21ft-tall and 11ft-wide, is also the largest in the country. Arulmigu Karumariamman Temple started out as a temple for estate workers living in the Paduma Estate in Perai, until the area was turned into a township in the 1970s. At the urging of residents the State Government gave the go-ahead to build a new temple and work began in 1996.

 

Penang Bridge

 

Penang Bridge may not be an official sightseeing spot in Penang but it is the sight that greets most visitors to the island. A 13.5km-long suspension bridge that connects the island to the mainland at Seberang Perai, it is considered a Penang landmark, with locals comparing it to London Bridge.
Also known as Jambatan Pulau Pianng, before it was opened the only way to get to the mainland was via ferry: today the causeway is one of the busiest freeways in the country. The longest bridge in Malaysia and the fourth-longest in Southeast Asia, it is a toll bridge, with fees paid only when heading to the island. The only time it closes is for the annual Penang Bridge International Marathon

  Penang National Park

 

Penang National Park is the world’s smallest national park. Within the park are well-marked trails that lead into the jungle and to the bays around; it contains about 410 species of flora and 143 species of fauna ranging from snakes, macaques and leaf monkeys to otters, hawksbill turtles and dolphins


Formerly known as the Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve, it is located further up the west side of Penang Island, past a twisting, forested section of road. Comprising 1181 hectares of forest and 1381 hectares of wetlands, it is a pleasant enough place with a waterfall and a pool for a pleasant swim. Camping facilities are available: telephone the Wildlife Office at Teluk Bahang to make reservations. You will have to register at the office before you can enter the park; Penang National Park is accessible via Teluk Bahang at the end of Batu Ferringhi Road. Bus no. 101 runs a route past Teul Bahang: from there it is a short walk away.

Penang Botanic Gardens - The Natural Heritage

 

The Penang Botanic Gardens, more popularly known as the "Waterfall Gardens", was established by the British way back in 1884 from an old quarry site. The beautiful grounds and the tranquility of the gardens have long been enjoyed and admired by millions of visitors. Besides being the arboretum living plants specimens, it is also the seat of botanical conservation, education and training. The Gardens also play an important role in the field of horticulture and landscaping development.
The Gardens were founded in 1884 by Charles Curtis from the Gardens and Forests Departments Straits Settlements. As the first Curator, Curtis was a devoted plant lover who tirelessly transformed the granite quarry into a garden, and greatly contributed to the botanical and horticulture development of the Gardens.
Walking around the Gardens, one cannot miss the Cannon Ball Tree (Couropita guanensis) and the large buttress roots of the Sengkuang Tree (Dracantamelon dao). Look out for the Pinang Palm (Areca catechu) that lent its name to the island of Penang, and the Black Lily (Tacca integrifalia) with its unique purplish-black coloured flowers. The endemic Slipper Orchid (Paphiopedilum barbatum) and the ginger, Geoctachys penangensis, can also be found here.
Look out also for the wildlife inhabiting the gardens. Commonly seen are the long-tailed Macaques, Dusky Leaf Monkeys, Black Giant Squirrels and a myriad of insects and butterflies.
From afar, one could catch a view of the famous waterfall up on the hills above the reservoir.