Penang’s Very Own Chingay

Don’t know when the idea struck PiggyBeng… to bring us to watch the so-called annual event in Penang, the Chingay Parade which he used to watch when he was very young… something like a yearly affair. Being a first timer, I do not know what to expect but from the description given by PiggyBeng, it was something to shout about… eerrr… shout about we are! Hilarious, that was it!

Well, I thought normally Chingay Parades are being held during Chinese New Year (that was my understanding as I used to stay in Singapore) and was a little surprised when PiggyBeng said it was held on Christmas Day instead… the Penang’s very own… supposedly to take place early in the morning too…

So, we slept very early on Christmas eve (have to forgo my Miss Universe programme so can wake up early) and missed out on all the count down sessions… fire works were played near our place… Woke up around 6am and get ready… poor Darrius was still very sleepy but started to get very excited when I changed him. The 3 suaku (country bumpkin) were out of the house around 6.45am and head toward the Padang (field)  where the parade were supposed to flag off.

When we arrived, there were not a soul around the field and traffic was extremely smooth… oh…oh! So where is the parade? Then I teased PiggyBeng saying that maybe he has mistaken or this year no parade or maybe last minute cancellation and all the blah..blah..blah…

PiggyBeng refused to give up and he wanted to drive over to the Dewan Sri Pinang, which the parade will normally ends there to confirmed if there is going to be a parade or not. There were no parade but a few people doing tai-chi… *blink* Still not giving up, Piggybeng drove by the field next to the fort and finally we saw a few miserable tents and there hung the pathetic banner (so small that you have to squeeze your eyes to read) which state the parade will take place at 7pm that night! Aiyah! All the early works for nothing! Since we were there and happened there’s a small park, we decided to let Darrius play with the swing and slide and went for breakfast cum shopping after that.

We went out again at 6.15pm to the Padang… finally we saw some people! The uniqueness of Penang’s Chingay is the giant flags processions. These giant flags, mostly in triangular shape, which are between 25-40 feet in height are made of silk. The flag is usually fixed on a giant bamboo pole which will then be carried perpendicularly by a bearer and balanced on the forehead.

The photo above was taken while most of the flag bearers were rehearsing before the parade begins. The floral or decorated floats were all standing by the narrow lane waiting with many people clamoring around them…

eerr…. this float…. not sure drew by who but I think Penang artists or Malaysian artists in general can definitely do a better job rite???? Unless it was done by a small kid then can be excused… Was a bit dissapointed… the way they decorate the floats *speechless*

We were busy taking photographs at the back of the line and almost missed the flag-off which was around 7.10pm. When we managed to get a spot, the musical band has already moved quite far so we only saw the giant flags with the rest of the oh-so-uninteresting-looking-floral-floats…. *sigh*

I was told that most of the participants are from the Chinese temples around Penang, hence there were quite a number of lion dance troupes.

At last, something that looked decent enought to describe as a floral float…. *wink*

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