Penang CNY Cultural Heritage Celebration 20th Feb 2010

This year, Penang had a grand Chinese New Year Cultural celebration held on 20th February. There were many Chinese cultural performances along the Penang heritage areas in Armenian Street, Acheh Street, Cannon Street, Jalan Masjid Kapitan etc.



The streets were beautifully decorated with red Chinese lanterns and extremely packed with visitors. Ample stalls were set up to sell great varieties of local food and drinks.





Getting from one end to another was a challenge in such a massive crowd....

Hmmm...the roaring tiger. This year is the year of the Tiger. I caught this interesting work of art from one of display outside a heritage house.

This guy portraying as 'Guan Gong', one of the Chinese deity which can easily distinguish through his red face and weapon. Some called him as God of War. His dominance in battle field, skill, courage, leadership and tactical ability made him a famous general in Chinese history.

Just beside him, were two kids painted themselves in gold and silver.



Some Chinese cultural and game performances.....

A Chinese game performance and a little girl posing for a Kodak moment.....

Audiences eagerly awaiting for another performance...

These guys attached wooden legs to make them tall did some drunken master and rope skipping performance.




The lion dance performance is one of the most famous performance during Chinese New Year. There are two performer with one controlling the lion head and the other one as hind legs. They will mimic the lion's movement and balancing themselves on tall beam.







The following performace is the Chingay. Chingay was originated among the Chinese people in Penang. The signature performance is by carrying a tall bamboo triagle flag balanced by a group of performer. You could see one performer push his leg to transfer the bamboo flag and the receiver will receive the bamboo flag with his mouth or head.





Another popular performance is the dragon dance whereby there will be a group of peoples carrying the dragon on poles and mimic the dragon movements. For the Chinese, the dragon symbolizing power and dignity.



This was the time when my external flash had flat batteries. I have to depend on very high ISO to capture the shot.

Visitors from various age group took part on the lantern riddle hoping to solve them and granted with gifts.

Finally, the last performance that I witnessed was the Chinese opera show . The performers will wear colorful tradisional costumes with heavy makeups for this theatrical and drama show.











Overall, it was a very meaningful and refreshing outing. Despite the warm weather and overcrowded with visitors, this celebration brought back all Chinese cultures to life and you can see most of them in one day.

Pictures
http://picasaweb.google.com/photo.dannylim/ChineseNewYear2010#

Penang Thaipusam 2010

Thaipusam is a celebration by the Hindus which usually falls during the month of January and February. It is celebrated in conjunction with the birthday of Lord Murugan (youngest son of Lord Siva) and his wife, Parvati.




It was a myth that there were big battles between the Azuras and the Devas. The Devas were defeated and seeked the help from Lord Siva. Their help was granted with a creation of a mighty warrior, Lord Murugan and finally, he defeated Sooradpadme, who was the meanest and most powerful of Azuras. Now, the Hindus celebrate Thaipusam to worship Lord Murugan and the power of good over evil.

In Malaysia, Thaipusam is vastly celebrated in Batu Caves Selangor and in Penang. The offering by the devotees to Lord Murugan can be ranging from carrying a kavadi with all the piercing around the body and tongue to the simpliest way of carrying a pot of milk. It is believed that the greater the pain, the greater the merit earned from the god.




This year, Thaipusam Penang was held on 29-31 January along the Waterfall road. The whole street was filled with devotees in colourful tradisional outfit. Many booths can be seen along the road selling various clothings, souvenirs etc.

Devotees queuing up to get the free flow of food and drinks along the Waterfall road.

Elephant God

Kavadi consist of two semicircular wood attached to cross structure and balanced by the devotee shoulder. It is usually decorated with flowers, peacock feathers and weigh about 30kg.













Another type of Kavadi is by piercing hooks on the back skin of the devotee and pulled by another person.





I managed to capture one successful dancing shot of this Kavadi bearer.

It was quite scary to look at all the hooks piercing through the skin of the devotee. The skin looked as if it was going to be pulled off anytime soon.




There were various age groups performed such a torturious offering. This old man looked quite exhausted. Besides the vel pierced through his cheek, he was also carrying many milk pots as an expression of thanksgiving and devotion.



These Kavadi bearers were covering his entire body with small milk pots.

Others, covering their body with lemons and limes. I cannot imagine how painful it is when the juice from the fruits entering the pierced skin.



Some close up shots of the Kavadi lemon and lime devotee. The well decorated fruits around his body had caught the attention of many visitors.

You could see many non Hindus too participated in this Penang Thaipusam religious celebration.



The devotee entered into trance mode and felt no pain when vel pierced into his tongue. Amazingly, the tongue did not bleed and he was so clam.

Another Kavadi devotee with chains surrounding his body....



Milk offering devotees ...



This Kavadi devotee got a blessing when he visited one of the temple along the Waterfall road in Penang.

In conjunction with the Visit Penang 2010, this annual Thaipusam celebration had attracted many local and foreign visitors to Penang. Personally, despite the hot day, the celebration had exposed me with a better undertanding of the Hindus belief and culture. For those who has yet to witness such a beautiful celebration, remember to do so next year.

More Pictures
http://picasaweb.google.com/photo.dannylim/Culture#