Tag: culture

Hungry Ghost Festival at Bukit Mertajam

The Hungry Ghost Festival in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, has been celebrated for over 130 years. This festival, rooted in Taoist and Buddhist beliefs, honors the spirits of deceased ancestors who are believed to roam the earth during the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar. The event features various rituals, including offerings of food, paper money, and entertainment like Chinese opera and puppet shows, to appease these spirits. The festival remains a vibrant cultural tradition, attracting both locals and tourists to experience its unique customs.

The festival also hosts the giant effigy of Tai Su Yeah (Chinese version of King of Hades) which will then be paraded in the middle of Jalan Pasar on the night of Aug 20, where it will be burned and “sent back to the other world”, a ritual witnessed by thousands.

2024 Thnee Kong Seh (Jade Emperor’s Birthday Festival)

The various scenes from Penang’s historic Weld Quay featuring the annual celebration honoring the revered Jade Emperor. As devotees and onlookers gathered, the air was filled with the scent of incense and the sounds of fireworks, creating an atmosphere steeped in cultural richness alongside traditional performances at the main stage.

The Jade Emperor’s Birthday Festival, also known as the Heavenly Emperor’s Birthday or Thnee Kong Seh in Hokkien, holds deep cultural and religious significance in Chinese tradition. Originating from Taoist beliefs, the festival celebrates the birthday of the Jade Emperor, one of the most revered figures in Chinese mythology, believed to be the ruler of heaven and earth. The festival’s history traces back centuries to ancient China, where communities would gather to pay homage to the Jade Emperor with elaborate ceremonies, offerings, and prayers for blessings and prosperity. Thnee Kong Seh, is celebrated by the Hokkiens on the ninth day of the Lunar New Year.

Lion Dance During Chinese New Year

Lion dance performance at the front entrance of GAMA supermarket in George Town.

Chinese New Year in Penang is celebrated usually with the vibrant tradition of Lion Dance, a captivating spectacle that adds an extra dash of excitement to the festive season. As the rhythmic beat of drums fills the air, intricately adorned lions prance through the streets, symbolizing prosperity and warding off evil spirits.

Penang’s Lion Dance troupes showcase impeccable coordination and skill, captivating audiences with their awe-inspiring performances. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, witnessing the Lion Dance in Penang during Chinese New Year is an unforgettable experience, immersing you in the rich cultural tapestry of this dynamic Malaysian island. Join the festivities and let the spirited energy of the Lion Dance usher in a prosperous and auspicious year ahead.

Thaipusam 2024 in Penang

Thaipusam scenes at the compound nearby Sri Muthu Mariamman Temple in George Town, Penang.

Thaipusam in Penang paints a vivid tapestry of religious devotion and cultural spectacle. Celebrated annually in late January or early February, this Hindu festival honors Lord Murugan with a mesmerizing procession from Georgetown to the sacred Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple atop the Waterfalls hill area.

The highlight is the iconic Silver Chariot, adorned with devotees carrying ornate kavadis, creating a symphony of traditional music and rhythmic drumbeats. The atmosphere is electric as devotees showcase their unwavering faith through acts of penance, including body piercings and elaborate decorations (also known as Kavadi bearer). Thaipusam in Penang is not only a religious event but a testament to the island’s cultural richness and the harmonious coexistence of diverse communities, offering a must-see experience for locals and tourists alike.

Thaipusam Festival

During the Thaipusam festival, the breaking of the coconuts is a ritual practiced by Hindus as an act of cleansing and also to symbolize the renounce of one’s ego at the feet of the presiding deity Lord Muruga (usually carried on a chariot). The most notable or intriguing scene from this festival is the kavadi-bearers, devotees who usually had their bodies pierced while undergoing a pilgrimage during the festival.

Deepavali 2022 in Penang Queensbay Mall

Deepavali decorations at Queensbay Mall.

Deepavali (or may known as Diwali in other parts of the world), is an important festival of lights celebrated by Hindus. As one of the major festivals of the year in Malaysia, it is also an official holiday. It is a time for the Hindus to celebrate via their traditional customs at their homes as well as having a family reunion. This year, Deepavali falls on October 24th.

Penang Thaipusam

Pre-Covid scenes from the Penang Thaipusam festival held in 2019.

During the festival, the breaking of the coconuts is a ritual practiced by Hindus as an act of cleansing and also to symbolize the renounce of one’s ego at the feet of the presiding deity Lord Muruga (usually carried on a chariot). The most notable or intriguing scene from this festival is the kavadi-bearers, devotees who usually had their bodies pierced while undergoing a pilgrimage during the festival.

Thaipusam this year is on 18 January.

Penang Chinese New Year Festival: The Blue Lion

Lion dance performance during the Chinese New Year celebration at George Town. Lion dance in Penang was found to have started during the 1930s, whereby it was a tradition brought over by immigrants from southern China back then. Hence, the common lion dance here is the southern lion dance style. Usually performed during Chinese New Year or any major Chinese event, the lion dance is believed to bring luck and fortune.

Cheng Beng (Qing Ming) Festival

Every year usually during the month of March or April, Chinese locals will be paying respect to their ancestors during the Qingming Festival (also known as Tomb Sweeping Day and Clear Bright Festival). Qingming Festival is also commonly known as Cheng Beng by the local Hokkiens in Penang.

A Chinese tradition, the Qingming Festival is an opportunity for members of a family to remember and honour their ancestors at grave sites. Young and old pray before the ancestors, sweep the tombs and offer food, tea, wine, chopsticks, joss paper accessories, and/or libations to the ancestors.

Penang Perspective: George Town’s Chinese New Year Celebration

The annual Chinese New Year celebration which is held in George Town’s heritage area. The celebration usually features various traditional arts and performance of the local Chinese culture.