Dying Trades In George Town

As living heritages themselves, these people are part of the cultural richness of George Town against the backdrop of architectural heritage. Make your heritage trail complete by visiting them before these trades fade away.

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1. Thana’s Goldsmith

Fourth-generation goldsmith M. Raju is the last of his kind in Penang. With a sharp eye for detail, a pair of steady hands and his trusty tools, Raju carries on the time-consuming process of shaping gold into elaborate jewellery. Don’t you dare miss out on the last of custom-made gold trinkets Penang has to offer!

2. Songkok Maker

On King Street, Haja Mohideen works his fingers to the bone at the sewing machine tucked away in a quaint little shop. A trade passed to him by his father, he keeps the custom of hand-made songkoks (a stiff cap worn by Muslim men) alive with the assistance of his son-in-law.

3. Signboard Maker

Inherited from his father who was from Guangdong, China, Kok Ah Hwa shoulders the family legacy of carving wooden signboards. He serves as the final frontier for handmade traditional signboards as he carves and gouges out wood expertly with steady hands and his trusty tools.

4. Joss Stick Maker

Unlike typical mass-produced incense, Lee Beng Chuan’s joss sticks are the real deal done the good old-fashioned way. Tour the winding streets around Stewart Lane to stumble upon him, and observe his skill at moulding a sticky paste of fragrant sandalwood, terja tree powder and water onto thin bamboo sticks.

5. Tombstone Engraver

Honouring the departed by carving their memory in stone is Yeoh Gim Huat’s business, which he takes pride in. You can find him at Acheh Street Ghaut, where his range of Chinese, Muslim and Indian tombstones bear the touch of a true stonemason as all their finishing details are done by hand.

6. Paper Oblation Craftsman

The sight of miniature paper houses, cars and other worldly possessions is one of the hallmarks of Carnarvon Street. Master craftsman of bamboo, paper and glue Loh Ah Ban creates all that and also larger-than-life effigies of Chinese deities for religious festivals.