The Boria and Craft Festival: A celebration of Penang’s cultural heritage

The Boria and Craft Festival, held from 12 to 14 July at the SP Arena Convention Centre in Penang, was a resounding success.

The event showcased the rich cultural heritage of Penang, focusing on the traditional Boria performance and local handicrafts.

The festival aimed to elevate Boria as a hallmark of Penang’s cultural identity and reintroduce it to the public, especially the younger generation.

Elevating Boria: A cultural resurgence

National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN) Deputy Director-General Rosnan Nordin highlighted the festival’s objectives, stating, “The festival featured competitions, discussions, and symposiums with key Boria figures, serving as a talent-scouting platform for Boria performers.”

The event also aimed to bolster Penang’s tourism industry by promoting local arts and culture.

Popular artiste Wan Naqiuddin Mohd Najib, known as Naqiu Boboy, participated in the festivities, joining a vibrant procession of participants in colourful costumes on trishaws.

The festival’s inclusion of well-known personalities helped draw attention to the cultural significance of Boria.

Deputy Secretary-General (Culture) of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), Mohd Yusri Mohd Yusoff, noted the importance of combining the Boria and Craft Festivals.

“This effort positively impacts craft sales and attracts more visitors, providing exposure to the art,” he said.

The festival involved extensive handicraft sales, food truck traders, and local entrepreneurs, generating an estimated return of RM500,000 from hotel bookings and product sales.

Boosting local economy and cultural awareness

Trade and Entrepreneurship and Rural Development Committee Executive Councillor Rashidi Zinol emphasised the socio-economic benefits of such programmes.

He noted that the sales of local handicrafts allowed craftsmen to market their products to a diverse audience of craft enthusiasts and Boria performance fans.

Rashidi highlighted government support for cultural activities, mentioning that MOTAC has provided a grant of RM25 million to support cultural initiatives across the country.

“As of 30 June 2024, MOTAC has allocated RM530,000 to nine associations in Penang alone,” he said.

Mohd Yusri also touched on the historical significance of Boria performances.

He explained, “Boria, long established in Penang, has various accounts of its origins. Some claim it originated from the Karbala event, while others believe it came from Persia and was introduced to the Malay Peninsula by South Indian soldiers.”

Today, Boria performances are theatrical presentations with specific themes, incorporating sketches, dance movements, sea shanties, and verses composed by Tukang Karang.

The festival attracted both local and international tourists, thanks to the efforts of tourism agencies like Tourism Malaysia (TM) and Penang Global Tourism (PGT).

These agencies worked to promote local cultural heritage performances, even in remote village areas.

A festival of talent and tradition

Eight Boria groups competed in the Children’s Category, featuring 135 participants, while six groups competed in the Open Category, including teams from secondary schools, ASWARA, University Sains Malaysia, University Malaya, and the Institut Pendidikan Guru (IPG) Kampus Pulau Pinang.

Additionally, 11 Boria groups involving 165 participants from NGOs, secondary schools, and a preschool performed throughout the 10-day programme.

Other activities included the Final Competition of ‘Bintang Asli Remaja,’ the Boria Children’s Designer Clothing Competition, the Kebaya Queen Competition organised by the Malaysia Handicraft Corporation, a children’s colouring competition, and a Boria Digital Podcast session featuring academic figures from USM’s School of the Arts.

JKKN officer Ahmad Fitri Nordin said that more than a thousand people attended the closing ceremony of the Boria and Craft Festival.

This year’s festival received support from Mydin Mohamed Holdings Berhad (Mydin), Cititel, Sunway Hotel & Resorts, and Penang Hill Corporation.

The Boria and Craft Festival successfully celebrated Penang’s cultural heritage, promoting traditional Boria performances and local handicrafts.

By engaging the community and attracting tourists, the festival contributed to the socio-economic growth of the region.

The event highlighted the importance of preserving and promoting cultural traditions, ensuring they continue to thrive for future generations.

For more information on the Boria and Craft Festival and future events, visit the JKKN website. Join us in celebrating Penang’s rich cultural heritage and supporting local artisans.