(Front row, from second left) Ooi, Yuee Harng, Hon Wai, Chee, H’ng and organising committee members all set for the chingay parade. — Courtesy photo
A HIGHLIGHT of the Penang Chingay Parade 2024 on Dec 28 will be a group of participants dressed in beautiful kebayas being ferried in trishaws, in a celebration of Penang’s cultural heritage.
This addition follows the inclusion of the kebaya on Unesco’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, an achievement that was the result of a collaboration between Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei and Thailand.
Penang tourism committee chairman Wong Hon Wai told state publisher Buletin Mutiara that this would also be a prelude to ongoing efforts to gain Unesco recognition for the Chingay parade (via a joint application by Malaysia and Singapore) and the lion dance (through a joint application by Malaysia and China).
This year’s parade will also feature several additions to the traditional Southern Lion Dance.
The 2024 parade will feature the dance of the Five Prosperity Lions.
These include the Northern Lion Dance, the Pixiu Dance that is based on historical winged animals, the Qilin Dance about mythological one-horned beasts and the Five Prosperity Lions dance.
Hon Wai said fresh ideas were incorporated into the festival each year.
“In China, different provinces feature various types of lion dances. “This year, we are incorporating the Northern Lion Dance as well as the Pixiu, Qilin and Five Prosperity Lions Dances.
“This highlights Penang’s rich and evolving lion dance culture.
“If you’ve never seen the majestic Northern lions or the auspicious pixiu and qilin, don’t miss this opportunity.
“We allow local teams from the island and mainland to infuse new ideas into their respective parade performances.
“Together, we aim to present a celebration where tradition meets creativity, showcasing Penang’s vibrancy while fostering the growth of our creative economy,” said Hon Wai.
The parade, which will be held from 6pm to 11pm, will have 42 teams.
It will start from Padang Brown along Jalan Datuk Keramat and end at the Esplanade, George Town.The event will feature an exciting mix of performances, including giant flag displays, brass band performances, martial arts, dragon and lion dances as well as traditional Malay and Indian dances.
The Penang Grocers Association, which stole the show last year, will return with their popular unicycle performance and the comedic “Squabbling Couple”, also known as the “Tomb Brother and Tomb Sister” act.
The grand finale at the Esplanade will include a lion dance on stilts, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display.
The annual Chingay parade is organised by the Penang State Tourism and Creative Economy office in collaboration with George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI), the Wushu, Lion and Dragon Dance Association of Penang and the Penang Chingay Association.
The event is supported by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.
The mainland Penang Chingay Parade will take place on Dec 21 from 7.30pm to 11pm.
The procession will start at Padang MBSP Bagan Luar, Butterworth, and move through several streets before reaching the main stage at the Tow Boo Kong Butterworth Temple.
Hon Wai pointed out that the highlight of the Butterworth segment of the parade would include a performance featuring the White Snake and Green Snake from a Chinese legend, in celebration of the upcoming Year of the Snake next year.Present at a media conference on the parade were Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng, Penang Island City Council councillor Benji Ang, vice organising chairman Johnny Chee, Wushu, Lion and Dragon Dance Association president Datuk H’ng Ban Choon, Penang Chingay Association chairman Ooi Thean Huat, parade coordinator Koid Peng Guan and GTWHI Communications and Collaborations Department manager Vick Quah Swee Leang.
