Taken from the internet :
Every year in the first lunar month, the Johor Bahru organizes its annual Chinngay known as the Parade of Deities (Chinese: 古廟游神).
The Chingay parade lasts for four days. The climax of the parade is on the night of the 3rd day when the Deities parade around the Johor Bahru Town Centre or in Chinese known as 圣駕巡游.
The annual Chingay has attracted more than 300,000 people to march around the major roads of Johor Bahru together with the 5 Deities being worshiped in the Old Temple.
In Johor Bahru deities come together in the 150-year old "Rou Fuo Gu Miao" in Jalan Trus. That's the oldest temple in Johor Bahru. After coming together they are goinf for a 15-km parade around the city. Thousands of people in Johor Bharu from all walks of life, young and old alike, are lined up in the streets to watch and participate in this event, which starts in the evening and ends after midnight.
Ok i was quite determined to get this post out before a week of travelling starts.
This year my family decided to walk the whole route of (if you're from JB) the old temple to near SSI to Convent to JB Post office to City Square and back to near Danga City Mall (formerly known as Best World).
We waited at Danga City Mall for the rain to stop. Looking at this picture you can see the Fire trucks and Police vans heading towards the starting point.
(My sister said the picture looks as if the man with the covered head retreated into the box)
The box.
I thought there was alot of people waiting here. Not until i saw the temple that is. Everyone was waiting for the rain to stop.
We then walked to the temple where we were greeted by crazy amount of people.
Everyone preparing with their joss sticks yelling "huat ah" again and again. Hahahahaha. Erica and Natalie joined in the screaming.
The starting point had alot floats and people preparing and rehearsing in their costumes.
Erica and Natalie.
People starting to walk.
This group of "gods" were still adjusting their head gears and final touchups on their make up.
Alot of dragons. Like seriously alot. Made of out any material you can think of.
The parade starts with men running and shouting that the Gods are coming and we should make way.
Alot of RELA (volunteers) and policeman were there that day.
There were altogether 5 Gods that we followed.
The roads ahead.
Some floats people rehearsing.
Alot of Tiger themed floats.
Natalie and Kimberly in front ofsome floats.
A dragon body made out of Carlsberg cans.
"Cheerleaders" Hahaha. My grandma said thats what we'll end up doing next time.
Me, Eric, Natalie and Kimberly.
Nat and myself camwh0ring.
In Hokkien, Chingay (or Chin Gay) means “real art.” Initially, its performances were only confined to the birthday celebrations of Chinese deities.
The colourful spectacle of Chinese New Year is evident long before the day of celebration itself.
Yeah i was too tired after that to take any more pictures (besides that fact my camera's battery died) which is just as well since people are known to "lose" things during Chingay.
Love,
Sharlene
So lately i've been thinking thinking alot.
Mi Corazon
