*Images from Marcus Langdon Collection.

MALAYS IN PENANG traditionally lived inland or along the coast, depending on their livelihoods. This had some bearing on how they built or located their dwellings. One common house style is the Bumbung Panjang Berserambi (long roof with veranda), known for its simple yet practical design. The roof has two slopes—an upper and a lower—and the structure allows easy extensions such as a gajah menyusu (side addition) and an anjung (raised porch).

Such houses are divided into three main parts: the rumah ibu (core house), serambi samanaik (a veranda parallel to the main house), and the additional gajah menyusu and anjung sections. The design promotes crossventilation, with wide openings on the walls to keep the house cool.

Traditional houses such as these, however, are disappearing. Modern homes that Malays now live in on the island—except some in Teluk Bahang and Balik Pulau, and on Seberang Perai—often lack open yards; this disconnects the families from nature. Today, feet that once touched soil daily now tread on cement and concrete.