Wednesday, October 9, 2013

9 Emperor Gods Festival : Bachang, Melaka

The Store, one of the popular supermarkets down south, is among the generous sponsors for this festival
BACHANG, MELAKA - All yellowed, welcoming the Nine Emperor Gods
The lantern in the middle

The urn , polished till glimmering & spotless


A flag standing tall at sundown 


Entertainment fit for the Gods

 The Hokkien Opera troupe formally invite the Gods to watch the opera performance


What would be a befitting form of entertainment to the Gods in a Taoist temple feast? More often than not, it would be the trademark Chinese Opera, bringing to the masses Chinese folktales  of love, piety, wisdom and to some lesser extent, tearjerkers. 

   On stage, the talented opera performers with their lively facial expressions, animated gestures, high pitched dialogues and songs coupled with colourful flowing Tang dynasty costumes breathe life into ancient Chinese tales.   

   Prior to every Chinese Opera performance, a formal invitation would be extended to the Gods to watch the performance. 

   At this temple, it is interesting to note that right after the formal
invitation, a troupe member all dressed up as the God of Prosperity performed a dance to bid the temple good luck by showing a few auspicious couplets. His antics were amusing as he danced heartily to the rhythm of the seronee and the accompanying musical instruments.


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