The word "Chingay" has been variously referred to as "the art of makeup and costumes are" translated ", a Chinese float decorated" and "a kind of stage, dependent on men's shoulders, which is a beautiful presentation of some historical scene" .
At first sight it might seem significant discrepancies between the translations, but are not so distant, in reality, and like all from the same Chinese characters are derived, it seems that the only difference isinterpretation. Of course, all three are apt descriptions of the Chingay procession held every year on Christmas day in the island of Penang in Malaysia.
The Chingay is a show that blatantly colored winds through the streets of Georgetown, is a world cultural heritage, and Malaysia is a multicultural country, elements of Malay and Indian cultures together what is basically a Chinese affair. Traditional Chinese entertainment like big-headed dolls,stilt walkers, acrobats and jugglers, alternating with the pom-pom girls, dancers and traditional Indian Malaysian with decorated floats, marching bands, colorful costumes, and the brilliant make-up of participants in a kaleidoscope Parade To make the connection, all for one Hobby Photographer's Field Day
The Chingay apparently appeared first in Penang in 1880 to celebrate the "pretense of welcoming spring, in fact, some historians that it was celebrated even before the arrival of Francis Light,The English sailor, 1786. At that time, were the most important elements of the giant triangular flags and lanterns. The length of each flag was hoisted eight feet, and 8:00 to 10:00 every meter bamboo poles. Each flag pole and weighed about 28 kg! Men with thick, painted faces and dressed in elaborate costumes of their balance on different parts of their anatomy, such as shoulder, forearm and abdomen. In the years before the war were mainly religious processions, ascelebrate the birthday of a deity, the goddess of mercy. Subsequent years saw Chinese troops by competing associations from a variety of attractions such as donkey carts, with beautiful girls sitting on top. After the Second World War, the spread of Chingay Johor, the southernmost state of Peninsular Malaysia. Processions of a transformation takes place on trucks with carts, and saw the participation of trishaws decorated. The festivities endswept in Singapore, their first Chingay in 1972 instead.
Penang Chingay processions were soon in an informal way by temples and Chinese clan associations organized. In 1966, the Municipal Council of Penang Pesta organized the first festival to promote tourism, the Chingay procession included. From 1970 onwards, took the State Government of Penang, on the organization of festivals and Pesta Chingay procession was the culmination of the celebration. This year was also decidedthat the feast on Christmas Day instead. In 1975, Penang Chingay Association was officially registered, have contributed to the development of the festival. Since then, Penang Chingay troops from many other countries have on many occasions.
The origins of Chingay, more than 2000 years ago in the city on the river Chung Chia Hsien-ling, in central Sichuan, where they held protest marches in the two figures of strange animals and mythical Path PartyOccasions.
The founder of the Han dynasty (206 BC to 220 AD), recruitment of soldiers from the area for his campaigns, parades learned from them and was so impressed with them that eventually included among the entertainment Emperor's Court have given. The most spectacular of which the "fish and dragon procession" at the time of the Lunar New Year took place.
The celebration of the new year began with a morning audience with the emperor in the main hall ofThe palace, in which thousands of civil servants, vassals of the king and other tributaries, threw themselves before him as an expression of loyalty. lavish gifts were then given the emperor and the imperial press, those who drink and party followed, while outside were "dragon fish held and processions.
Malaysia Chingay has both an animal and the human content. The list of activities varies from year to year, but some traditional elements that arealways present and would be incomplete without the Chingay: fluffy big-head dolls, stilt walkers, acrobats and Tumbes, and floats with tableaux from Chinese opera. On the contrary, it can also be baton twirlers, trick cyclists, Disney cartoon characters and even hip-hop dancer.
The train can also be a group or crew Kompang Malaysian Silat. You can also do dance, Indian Bharata Natyam dancers, or even a Bhangra of Punjab. Also includedcan brass and school orchestra; Chinese orchestras, performances of Tai Chi and Kung Fu, slapstick characters, lion dancers, flower girls, singing girls, representations of the twelve zodiac signs, Chinese zodiac, or even a dragon breathing fire . In short, Chingay, and end of grueling hours, it will definitely happy and excited to the end.