Despite the sudden rain in the evening, Penang’s Chingay Festival parade commenced with more than 40 participating teams, showcasing the state’s diverse multicultural heritage. Members from various associations and groups gathered next to Padang Brown in Jalan Johor before parading through the city.
The parade route included Jalan Penang, Jalan Burma, Jalan Transfer, Jalan Sri Bahari, Jalan Penang, Jalan Chulia, and Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling before concluding at Lebuh Light about four hours later.
During the parade, the Chingay teams demonstrated their skills in balancing giant flag poles on their foreheads and chin, along with dragon and lion dances, stilt walking, and performances by school bands. The event culminated with a fireworks show at Lebuh Light when the rain had stopped, in front of the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce building at around 11pm.
Key figures such as Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai were among those in attendance. The name “Chingay” is derived from the Mandarin term for “the art of costume” and “masquerade” in Hokkien.
It was reported that the Chinese in Penang first performed Chingay in 1919 to celebrate the birthday of the Goddess of Mercy, organized by market traders and other Chinese communities in the city. The procession has evolved to promote tourism and was recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by the National Heritage Department in 2012.
