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#
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