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The Chinese first settled in Penang about two centuries ago bringing along with them their cultural practices from China. However, with the passing of time their cultural practices had undergone significant changes especially among the Hokkien Chinese who comprise the majority of the Chinese community in Penang. This essay examines the customs and traditions of the Penang Chinese from the aspects of beliefs and prayer ceremonies, festive celebrations, artefacts and daily activities in a more comprehensive manner. The influences of modern education and geographical environments have resulted in the evolution of their own unique and distinctive variation of Chinese customs. Their festive celebrations, beliefs, practices and daily activities reveal the inheritance from their ancestors from China besides the incorporation of Malay sociocultural elements. In fact, some customs are peculiar only to the Penang Hokkien who had to survive in an environment that was different from China although these customs are still based on traditional Chinese concepts and philosophy. The difference is the way in which these customs and traditions are celebrated. Present day Penang Chinese remain loyal to traditional customs brought by their ancestors from China although there is evidence of assimilation with Malay elements.
Keywords: Penang Chinese, customs, heritage, Malay elements
INTRODUCTION
As early as the 15th century, Penang (known to the Chinese as Bin Lang Yu) had already existed on the map used by Admiral Cheng Ho in his expeditions to Southeast and Central Asia (Tan, 2007: 17). However, the large scale Chinese migration to Penang was a more recent phenomenon following social unrests, economic recession, natural disasters, war and China's rapid population growth in the late 18th century. The Chinese came either independently or as slaves. Tan (2007: 17) claimed the persistence of the early settlers had attracted Francis Light who described them as invaluable dwellers. The rapid development of Penang at the end of the 19th century had caused a rapid surge in the entry of labourers from China. Uneducated and unskilled, they were nevertheless hardworking and able to work independently to earn their livelihood and to ensure their social wellbeing. Such characteristics were no less crucial to the preservation of Chinese customs.
The arrival of the Chinese of Hokkien and Cantonese descent took place at the same time (Teoh,...