The Wangkang barge procession in Melaka on Jan 11 will cover a distance of about 9km in the heart of the historical city while making 22 stops during its journey. Photo: Bernama
Thousands of Buddhist devotees are expected to participate in the Wangkang street procession that will be held from the Wangkang Museum at Jalan Parameswara in Bandar Hilir in Melaka on Thursday (Jan 11).
The procession director Datuk Ronald Gan explained that the name Wangkang or "royal ship" was a portmanteau combining the word "wang" meaning king and "kang" meaning junk or ship.
The procession itself was brought over to the Malay Peninsula by Hokkien traders from China during the Ching Dynasty (1644 to 1911), and was held for the first time in Melaka in 1845.
Gan is seen with a replica of the Wangkang barge at the Wangkang Museum in Melaka. Photo: Bernama
"The purpose of the procession is to summon evil spirits to serve the deity Ong Yah so that they can redeem themselves and be reborn.
"The procession is divided into several parts, starting with the construction and consecration of the deity, the procession itself and a Taoist ritual by local monks,” said Gan, who is also Persatuan Peranakan Baba Nyonya Malaysia president, at the recent Wangkang Museum launch.
A general view of the newly-launched Wangkang Museum in Melaka. Photo: Bernama
"The Wangkang Museum is a platform to showcase the history of Wangkang and all activities related to the procession,” he added.
The procession will be held around historic Melaka's city centre in two sessions, at 8.30am and 7pm, Gan said, adding that a giant replica of a Wangkang vessel dubbed the "Kapal Raja Perpaduan Aman" would serve as the event’s highlight.
"Unlike certain festivals, this procession is not held annually, with the next procession expected to be held in 2031,” he said, adding that the last procession was held in 2020. - Bernama
