The Star Online : Monday October 13, 2008
Homage to nine emperor gods
Story and photos by CHEN PELF YEEN
The annual Nine Emperor Gods festival at the Kew Ong Yah Temple in
Malacca came to an extraordinary end with more than 150 devotees
walking on fire as a show of their faith.
 |
| Burning bright: Devotees looking at the hot coals pathway. |
The fire-walking ceremony was conducted at 8.15pm last Tuesday where
devotees walked barefoot over a 3m by 5m path made of burning coal in
the temple’s compound.They were among the thousands
of Taoist devotees here who had observed nine days of strict vegetarian diet to purify themselves in
conjunction with the religious festival.
 |
| Performing their duties: Devotees carrying the Nine Emperor Gods before
preparing to cross the hot coals. |
A firewalker, who wished to be known only as Ah Wah, 45, said he had
been performing the ritual at the temple in Bachang for the last 15
years. “It is necessary to be involved throughout the nine days.One has to pray continously when walking over the hot coals so the
gods will protect you from any pain or burns,” he said after making his
walk.Ah Wah said he only felt his feet
getting warmer during the
ceremony and it was a belief that those who were pure in heart would not get burnt.
 |
| Religious tokens: Devotees picking pieces of the douses coals. |
Later, many devotees took home pieces of the doused coals believing that it would bring luck and
prosperity.
The nine-day ceremony ended at midnight when the devotees bade
farewell to the Nine Emperor Gods by sending them off in a ritual at the
nearby Malacca River.
No comments:
Post a Comment