By Karen Bong
KUCHING, May 1: The sound of firecrackers set off along the roads, accompanied by thunderous drums and crashing cymbals filling the air, while dancing ‘lions’ roared their welcome as a statue of Mazu, the Goddess of the Sea, led a procession of about 10 decorated boats to its destination at the Qing Shan Yen Temple in Muara Tebas.
Marked by a prayer ceremony and performances from various troupes, the procession which is part of the inaugural Borneo Mazu Cultural Festival embarked from the Ang Cheng Ho jetty at about 6am today and along the riverway with protector deities and troupes guiding the way.
After the statue ascended to the temple, the inaugural Borneo Mazu Cultural Festival was graced by Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who was accompanied by Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng, festival chief planning officer Sih Hua Tong, Kuching Hokkien Association secretary Kapitan Tan Kok Chiang and Pertubuhan Penyokong Rumah Berhala Tiong Hock Kiong chairman Kho Kee Hua.
At the temple, throngs of believers and pilgrims congregated to pay homage by lighting incense and presenting offerings as they partook in the ceremony to seek blessings, auspiciousness, and prosperity.
According to tradition, Goddess Mazu is believed to have been born on the 23rd day of the third month in the Chinese Lunar calendar, which corresponds with May 1 this year.
Mazu, considered a semi-historical figure, was a formidable shamaness purported to have lived during the 10th century on Meizhou Island, just off the southeast coast of China.
Various Taoist narratives recount her extraordinary abilities to foresee the future, heal the sick, and manifest in visions. According to legend, she ascended to the heavens in a radiant beam of light after her brother was lost at sea, and through the ensuing centuries, she became revered as a guardian of fisherfolk and sailors.
Kapitan Tan, representing Kuching Hokkien Association chairman Dato Richard Wee, emphasised that there is no other place more fitting to hold the festival than Qing Shan Yen Temple, a Chinese temple nestled in a Malay village where the locals of different races and faiths have long coexisted harmoniously for 200 years.
“With a strong team from Tiong Hock Kiong leading the organisation of the festival, we are proud of this achievement. We hope this festival can become an annual tradition for many years to come,” he said when speaking during the ceremony.
Sih expressed gratitude for the strong support rendered by Abdul Karim in ensuring the success of the festival, which initially faced challenges and obstacles, including financial constraints for its inaugural organisation.
“With his assurance and guidance, we applied for the facilitation fund for heritage, arts and culture. Though the additional fund was insufficient, it boosted our confidence in moving forward and here we are today,” he said.
Meanwhile, celebrations to mark Goddess Mazu’s birthday have started since last Saturday (April 27) in Kuching, featuring various activities including prayer rituals, cultural performances, band and dance performances, singing, red packet lucky draw, Sichuan opera face-changing performance, and the thunderous 24 festive drums.
One of the highlights is the river procession which will be participated by 26 decorated boats at Kuching Waterfront which is expected to kick start at 6.30pm today. — DayakDaily
