According to my sis in law, she mentioned that WangKang Festival only happened a few times. 2012 was the 5th time in history they had this festival. Probably this was the year of the "water dragon" and many predicted that it will be a year full with "challenges". Therefore a Barge was built to collect the evil spirits and bad luck from those that have joined or prayed to the barge.
The night before, we're lost in Melaka town. Our GPS died and luckily we have another GPS in our Ipad. The town was jammed and we wondered why and then we found out why.
There were a pre-festival prayers the night before the WangKang festival and everyone slowed down their cars to take pic of the lion dance. So typical Msian, we too took pictures. Haha
So the next day, we're awaken by the loud noise of the parade. With messy hair and teeth unbrushed, everyone rushed out to watch the parade.
The same lion dance group we saw the night before.
And lastly the Barge carrying the signs of the zodiac that was predicted to have the most challenges this year.
Another pic of the Barge from my iphone.
And the amount of people that joined the procession.
They started at 7am and then they walked around the town. We met them again when we're at the Red House area. And then we met them again while we're having dinner. Later , they walked to Pulau Melaka and burnt the Barge together with all the evil spirits and bad luck.
Well, I hope that it took away our bad luck. Cos my Justin was hurt the night before while playing with his cousins and also we discovered that my hub's laptop got stolen from his car boot and few of us got sick after returning from this trip. :(
You all saw the parade and celebrated this festival in Malacca. I only read this from the newspaper.
ReplyDeleteI also didn't know about this until I was there and my sil told me about it. Otherwise I won't know anything also :D
Deletethis is really a great opportunity to see the festival. during one of our earlier trips to melaka, we managed to catch the ppl on stilts and specially made sedan chairs for the Gods during the Nine Emperor Festival. I think there is a famous temple behind jonker street ...err it's the street filled with funeral parlours and caskets :D
ReplyDeletei think its the same temple. very famous one
Deletewow! interesting! I have not heard of this until i read your post.
ReplyDeleteThe guys on stilts - they looks scary...
Yeah agree. scarry looking
Deletejust believe it will take away the bad luck okie :) get well soon. weather usually not so good during cny, but this year is water dragon, so rain will come along more frequently i think.......
ReplyDeletethanks. we're all okay now. just hope that this year will be a smooth sailing one :)
DeleteMelaka is no longer a good place to be esp during school holiday :(
ReplyDeleteWe go home also dare not come out. Only comes out after midnight for a car stroll along Jonker street to see the light.
Very happening there!!! and so sad to hear that some of you fall sick! Hope everyone is recovering by now.
ReplyDelete