Folklore by the Sea, Penang, Malaysia
Folklore by the Sea is one of the most popular attraction in Chew Jetty. It’s an arts, heritage and cultural program brainchild of Chan Kok Leong and Chew Siew Pheng. Live performance in the heart of Chew Jetty to recreate the history of the jetty settlers, their culture and lifestyle in an engaging and entertaining way.
Folklore by the Sea, Penang, Malaysia
The 45 minute performance takes the audience though the history of the Chinese emigration, the settlers’ arrival in Penang, the construction of the clan jetties, the trades each clan specialized in, life during and after World War II, Merdeka, and up to the present day.
With the Founders Chan Kok Leong and Chew Siew Pheng
Founders Chan Kok Leong and Chew Siew Pheng, built a theater in their Chew family home, come onstage and chat with the audience about the ongoing dilemma on living in a Clan Jetty – the joy and pressure of living in an area where 70% of your neighbors are relatives, the cost of maintaining houses and the stories that have been passed down through the generations, which was their inspiration for this show.
Folklore by the Sea, Penang, Malaysia
Among the remaining jetties, only the Chew Jetty continues to have all clan-related activities and on Chinese New Year (Lunar Calendar) annually. This distinctive and grand event attracts throngs of people to Chew Jetty to enjoy lion dance and dragon dances. On that day, resident place the worship food on the long altar table for praying.
