Скачать или смотреть Chingay Parade of Sabah

Have you ever experienced the vibrant Chingay Parade in Donggongon Town, Sabah, Malaysia?

Chingay Parade (游神 in Chinese) is an annual street parade celebrated in Malaysia and Singapore, usually as part of Chinese New Year festivities or to commemorate the birthdays of Chinese deities. It often features a procession of the Goddess of Mercy (Guanyin) or other revered figures.

The Chingay Parade in this video was held on 19 February 2023 to celebrate the birthday of Tua Pek Kong (大伯公), one of the most widely worshipped deities in Sabah. Ten temples from Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Tuaran, Kinarut, and Putatan participated in the procession. Followers carried deity altars on palanquins and paraded through the streets of Donggongon. Iconic deities featured in the parade included Tua Pek Kong, Guang Ze Zun Wang (广泽尊王), Guan Yin (观音), Guan Di (关帝), Ji Gong (济公), the Monkey King (齐天大圣), Datuk Gong (拿督公), the Third Prince / Nezha (三太子), and the Nine Emperor Gods (九皇大帝).

Adding to the spectacle, stilt walkers and performances by lion, dragon, and unicorn dance troupes filled the streets with the rhythmic beats of drums, cymbals, and gongs, creating an electrifying atmosphere.

The 3-hour parade, organised by Fook Tet Kung Temple (兵南邦福德宫), began and ended at the temple, running from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Before the parade commenced, participating teams gathered at the temple, where the host greeted them at the gate—a captivating prelude you can see at the start of this video. The parade route passed key landmarks in Donggongon Town, including the Tamu Ground, CKS Supermarket, Megalong Shopping Mall, and Buhavan Square.

Shop owners seeking blessings from the deities placed offerings such as fruits, beer, and burning incense on tables outside their businesses. As the parade passed, the palanquins and dancers stopped to bestow blessings upon them. Interestingly, participants were not limited to the Chinese community—people from various ethnic backgrounds joined in, reflecting how modern Chingay has evolved into a multicultural celebration that captivates audiences with its energy and diversity.

The term “Chingay” originates from Hokkien, combining chin-gē (真藝), meaning “true art,” and chng-gē (妝藝), meaning “art of costume.” This tradition was introduced to Penang and Singapore by Chinese migrants from Southern China in the early 1800s. Today, Chingay has become a living heritage, even making a spectacular appearance at Malaysia’s 2024 National Day Parade.

While the Chingay Parades in Johor, Penang, and Labuan are said to be on an epic scale, Sabah’s Chingay, though smaller, remains an impressive and eye-opening experience for spectators.

Looking ahead, Singapore and Malaysia will jointly submit a nomination in March 2025 for the Chingay Parade to be inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, preserving this dynamic tradition for future generations.

#Sabah #Malaysia #Borneo #Donggongon #Chingay #ChingayParade #游神 #大伯公