Penang – Multiculturalism and Transformation

Weddings transform the bride and groom into wife and husband. They involve substantial investment in beautification and adornment. The multiculturalism of Penang means that weddings are celebrated in different ways by members of different ethnic groups, religions, and cultural traditions. This is taken into account by wedding planners and organisers who may specialise in just one kind of wedding or may be set up to offer different varieties of wedding celebration. This can involve delicate negotiations between the families resulting in compromises and variations to the conventional format – especially if the bride and groom are from different ethnic backgrounds or different religions.

For more information and a closer look, please just click on the images in this gallery.

KĀBĪN/KAHWIN 2017, GOH HUN MENG<p> Cardboard, chiffon 43 x 31cm. Goh Hun Meng is a Penang-born and -based graphic artist whose work captures the multicultural nature of Penang. ‘Kahwin’ means marriage in Malay, and may be derived from Persian kābīn, meaning ‘dowry’ or marriage portion. The Malay term ‘kahwin’ has been absorbed into the locally-spoken Chinese language of Hokkien as kau-în or kau-êng, meaning ‘marry’. (Adaptation of original text by Gareth Richards.)</p>
BROCHURES AND FLYERS FROM PENANG WEDDING VENUES AND BUSINESSES<p> These brochures and flyers give a sense of the variety of weddings that are celebrated in Penang by people of different cultures and religions.</p>
BROCHURES AND FLYERS FROM PENANG WEDDING VENUES AND BUSINESSES<p> These brochures and flyers give a sense of the variety of weddings that are celebrated in Penang by people of different cultures and religions.</p>
BEAUTIFICATION AND DECORATION - INDIAN JEWELLERY<p>Weddings in Penang, as elsewhere, involve substantial investment in the dress and decoration of the bride and groom. These items come from small local Indian wedding shops.</p>
BEAUTIFICATION AND DECORATION - INDIAN JEWELLERY<p>Weddings in Penang, as elsewhere, involve substantial investment in the dress and decoration of the bride and groom. These items come from small local Indian wedding shops.</p>
BEAUTIFICATION AND DECORATION - INDIAN JEWELLERY <p>Weddings in Penang, as elsewhere, involve substantial investment in the dress and decoration of the bride and groom. These items come from small local Indian wedding shops.</p>
BEAUTIFICATION AND DECORATION - INDIAN JEWELLERY <p>Weddings in Penang, as elsewhere, involve substantial investment in the dress and decoration of the bride and groom. These items come from small local Indian wedding shops.</p>
BEAUTIFICATION AND DECORATION - INDIAN WEDDING MAKE-UP<p>Weddings in Penang, as elsewhere, involve substantial investment in the dress and decoration of the bride and groom. These items come from small local Indian wedding shops.</p>
BEAUTIFICATION AND DECORATION - INDIAN BANGLES<p>Weddings in Penang, as elsewhere, involve substantial investment in the dress and decoration of the bride and groom. These items come from small local Indian wedding shops.</p>
MALAY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPH 1<p> Found in a Penang flea market, this Malay wedding photograph features a bride in a white wedding dress and is inscribed on the back with the date, 1968.</p>
MALAY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPH 1 (Reverse)<p> Found in a Penang flea market, this Malay wedding photograph features a bride in a white wedding dress and is inscribed on the back with the date, 1968.</p>
MALAY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPH 2 <p>Found in a Penang flea market, this Malay wedding photograph shows a couple in more traditional Malay attire. It probably dates from the 1970s.</p>
CHINESE WEDDING GROUP PHOTOGRAPH, C.1930S -1940S<p> This undated Chinese wedding photo was found in a Penang flea market.</p>
CHINESE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPH 1<p> Found in a Penang flea market, this wedding photograph has been inscribed on the back with the date 1958.</p>
CHINESE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPH 1 (Reverse)<p> Found in a Penang flea market, this wedding photograph has been inscribed on the back with the date 1958.</p>
CHINESE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPH 2<p> Found in a Penang flea market, this wedding photograph has been inscribed on the back with the date 1965.</p>
CHINESE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPH 2 (Reverse)<p>Found in a Penang flea market, this wedding photograph has been inscribed on the back with the date 1965.</p>
CHINESE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPH 3<p> Found in a Penang flea market, this wedding photograph has been inscribed on the back with the date 1965.</p>
CHINESE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPH 3 (Reverse)<p> Found in a Penang flea market, this wedding photograph has been inscribed on the back with the date 1965..</p>
SMALL, INFORMAL, CHINESE WEDDING PHOTOS, C.1960S <p>These small, informal, Chinese wedding photos were found in a Penang flea market. They show a bride being collected from her natal home as part of the wedding rituals</p>
CHINESE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPH 4<p> Found in a Penang flea market, this wedding photograph has been taken against a backdrop and is probably from the early 1970s.</p>
PENANG CHINESE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPH 1<p> This photograph was taken by Goh Kong Chuan as part of a family record, shown here by kind permission of his nephew, Goh Hun Meng. It shows a wedding reception at Goh Kongsi, Noordin Street, 1972.</p>
PENANG CHINESE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPH 2 <p>Photograph by Goh Kong Chuan, shown by permission of Goh Hun Meng. L: The bride, accompanied by her parents, is ready to get into the bridal car at Balik Pulau, Penang, 1971. R: Bride and bridegroom entering Khoo Kongsi, accompanied by their wedding planner and best man.</p>

View other galleries: RITUAL AND TRADITION | EXCHANGE