GEORGE TOWN, Sept 3 — Penang has gazetted the Teong Guan Phor Thor, or Hungry Ghost Festival, as a state heritage item under the Penang State Heritage Enactment 2011, recognising a traditional celebration observed by more than 200 groups across the state.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government approved its nomination on April 8, before it came into force as Penang heritage on June 25.
The Hungry Ghost Festival is observed during the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar, when Buddhists and Taoists conduct rituals to honour ancestors and spirits believed to roam during the period.
The festival also involves local communities and traders setting up Tai Su Yeah, or King of Hell, tents and opera or getai stages in public spaces.
“Recognition is not merely to preserve and conserve a traditional practice, but also to elevate the diversity of celebrations in our multiracial society as part of Penang’s identity,” Chow said at a press conference in his office in Komtar here.
He said the nomination was screened by the state’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (Sociocultural) Expert Committee, endorsed by the State Heritage Council and approved by the state executive council.
The state also approved the designation of six heritage sites on April 8, Chow said.
Their gazette notices have been submitted to the state legal adviser’s office for official gazettement.
The sites are the upper and lower stations and funicular railway line of Penang Hill; Dato Koyah’s tomb; Thai Pak Koong Temple (Ng Suk) on King Street; the Fooi Chew Association building; Loo Pun Hong Temple; and Kwangtung and Tengchow Cemetery No. 1.
“The gazettement of the six sites and Hungry Ghost Festival will be officiated on October 10,” Chow said.
State tourism and creative economy executive councillor Wong Hon Wai said the seven newly announced items — one intangible heritage item and six sites — were in addition to 50 heritage items announced earlier this year.
The earlier list comprised 15 heritage sites, 28 food heritage items and seven intangible heritage items.
“This year is a productive year for heritage,” he said.
He added that the 57 items cover the state’s cultural diversity on both Penang island and the mainland.
State Heritage Commissioner Zalena Abdul Aziz said the office hoped to bring the total number of announced heritage items to at least 70 next year, in conjunction with Malaysia’s 70th independence anniversary.
Chow said nominations could originate from the state heritage commissioner’s office, or from owners, associations and practitioners who believe a site or practice merits recognition.
He added that selected state-listed items could subsequently be proposed for consideration under the National Heritage Act, while other efforts could eventually extend to Unesco recognition.
Among the other intangible cultural heritage recognised earlier this year are nasi kandar culture, kopitiam culture, the Thaipusam procession, the Chingay procession, the St Anne’s Feast in Bukit Mertajam, and the Tanjong Penang Malay dialect.
The state has also gazetted traditional foods as state heritage, including nasi kandar, pasembor, char kue kak, oh chien, kerabu bihun, mi hokkien, mi udang, mi sotong, mi jawa and roti benggali.
