GEORGE TOWN — In a poignant celebration of culture, craftsmanship, and continuity, the Penang State Government has unveiled a video series titled “Traditional Trades of Penang” — a compelling tribute to the island’s living heritage and the artisans who keep it alive.
Launched in conjunction with the upcoming George Town World Heritage Celebration this July — which marks the 17th anniversary of the city’s inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site — the series highlights ten time-honoured trades that form the cultural backbone of Penang’s multicultural identity.
Officiated by Penang State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy YB Wong Hon Wai, the launch event served as both a showcase and a reminder that traditions must not be left behind in the rush toward progress.
“These videos do more than document skills. They honour the artisans who keep our heritage alive with their hands, hearts, and stories,” Wong said in his address. “As we prepare to unveil the Seberang Perai Story project, this series reminds us that heritage lives and thrives on both sides of the Penang Strait.”
The short films, directed by Benjamin Mok, provide intimate portraits of master craftsmen and women whose trades — from peanut candy making to wooden clog carving, from songkok stitching to shadow puppetry — have been passed down through generations. Among the featured artisans is May Lim, a Nyonya beader who still sews each pair of beaded shoes by hand, and Haja Mohideen, a veteran songkok maker whose traditional headgear has adorned dignitaries across Malaysia.
The stories stretch across cultures and communities, from the Muslim capal makers of Balik Pulau to trishaw restorers whose workshop has been a fixture in George Town for nearly a century. Despite differences in tools and techniques, one thread connects them all: a deep sense of purpose rooted in heritage.
The video series also sheds light on the challenges these trades face — from fading demand to generational gaps — while celebrating the resilience of those who choose to carry the torch. Some, like Sim Liang Hock and his son Samuel, have returned from abroad to continue family legacies. Others, like Mohd Jufri Yusof, are actively passing on their knowledge through free community workshops.
Adding a visual dimension to the series is a week-long exhibition by Penang artist Kevin Goh, whose illustrations of the featured artisans are currently on display at Whiteaways Arcade until July 7. Goh’s work captures the essence of each trade in vivid, hand-drawn detail.
YB Wong praised the initiative as a model for inclusive cultural storytelling. “This is exactly the kind of effort we need more of — stories that are grounded, meaningful, and above all, human.”
The Penang State Government, through Penang Global Tourism, encourages both locals and visitors to explore the video series and experience the living traditions that continue to shape Penang’s unique identity.
