Penang State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy, Wong Hon Wai, brought together a heritage contingent of eight intangible cultural traditions for this year’s National Day parade, aiming to show these traditions working together rather than simply side by side.
The 69th National Day Parade at the state level took place on the morning of 31 August at Padang Kota Lama, George Town, with crowds cheering as the Jalur Gemilang flew across the field.
Wong’s contingent carried the theme “Upholding Intangible Heritage, Preserving Penang’s Glory”. It featured Kebaya, Chingay, lion dance, Silat Siku 12, Silambam, Boria, Batik and Nyonya beaded shoes, alongside the trishaw, which Wong described as a living heritage of Penang known to many.
The eight traditions sit at different recognition levels. Kebaya has reached international status after UNESCO placed it on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Boria, which originated in Penang, holds national heritage status. Lion dance and Chingay are also recognised nationally and are now going through the process toward international nomination. Silambam and Silat Siku 12, a martial arts style that developed its own identity in Penang, carry state-level heritage status.
The trishaw appeared in the contingent together with women dressed in Kebaya, tying together a mode of transport many Penangites grew up with and a garment with UNESCO recognition.
Wong said this year’s approach goes further than last year’s parade. “Pada sambutan Hari Kebangsaan tahun lalu, pendekatan yang diketengahkan adalah dengan menampilkan warisan budaya daripada pelbagai kaum secara berdampingan di satu pentas. Namun, tahun ini, kita mengambil langkah lebih jauh. Warisan tidak lagi sekadar ditampilkan bersama, tetapi turut digabungkan dan disepadukan supaya kepelbagaian budaya bukan hanya berdiri bersebelahan, malah dapat saling berinteraksi dan memperkayakan antara satu sama lain,”.
One of the clearest examples sat at the front of the contingent: a pair of lion dance figures made from batik cloth. The design pairs the visual patterns of traditional Malay batik with the craftsmanship and performance form of Chinese lion dance.
The contingent also carried four Chingay flags, one of them designed around the Kebaya theme. Wong described the flag’s layout. “Sebahagian permukaan bendera tersebut menampilkan ruang kosong yang sederhana dan elegan, manakala bahagian yang satu lagi mengetengahkan imej Kebaya, selain memaparkan tulisan ‘Kebaya – Tradisi Bersama'”.
Wong said the makeup of the contingent itself reflected the message of continuity. Malay, Chinese and Indian participants marched together, spanning young people, middle-aged adults and senior citizens, men and women alike. He said this reflects hope that Penang’s intangible heritage continues to pass from one generation to the next without a break.
Wong said his office’s participation forms part of the state government’s wider effort to strengthen cultural soft power and protect heritage. “Dengan membawa warisan tidak ketara Pulau Pinang ke pentas sambutan Hari Kebangsaan dan mendekatkannya kepada masyarakat, kita berharap usaha ini dapat terus memperlihatkan keteguhan dasar serta hala tuju jangka panjang Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang dalam melindungi, memelihara dan memartabatkan warisan kebudayaan tidak ketara,”.
