By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, April 16: Temple processions are typically held on land, but have you ever seen one held at sea?
A riverine procession to honour ‘Mazu’, a sea deity also known as the ‘Goddess of the Sea’, will take place on May 1 this year as part of the Borneo Mazu Cultural Festival, which runs from April 27 to May 2.
The Mazu riverine procession route is set to begin at Petanak Market, proceeding on foot to Pangkalan Ang Cheng Ho.
From there, it will continue by ship to the Qing Shan Temple, then to Kuching Waterfront, and further to Pangkalan Abok. Finally, the procession concludes by returning on foot to the starting point at Petanak Market.
Not only is the Borneo Mazu Cultural Festival the first of its kind, but the Mazu riverine procession is also a first for Borneo, according to Sih Hua Tong, chief planning officer of the event.
“Although we did host a Borneo Mazu Cultural Festival the previous year, it was not a Borneo-level event. So we decided to make it bigger this year, thus making it an inaugural event, after receiving positive feedback and encouragement to do so.
“The event is organised by the Pertubuhan Penyokong Rumah Berhala Tiong Hock Kiong Kong Teck Choon Ong Kuching, with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts (Motac) Sarawak and the Kuching South City Council (MBKS),” Sih told reporters at a press conference held today at a restaurant here.
He went on to say that the Mazu Intangible Cultural Heritage was recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (Uensco) in 2007.
Sih further mentioned that the primary location for the Borneo Mazu Cultural Festival will be the festival marquee situated at the Petanak Market Car Park Square.
“The festival offers a wide range of activities and events, including a temple bazaar, a riverine procession, a ceremony on Holy Tribute of Offering Incense, cultural performances, a ceremony on deity Mazu Sojourning to Brief Sojourn Palace, charity food baskets, charity food packs for caregivers of cancer patients, fundraising for medical equipment, karaoke, fireworks display, and prayer sessions.
“We’ll be announcing the Borneo Mazu Cultural Festival schedule very soon, which will include the Mazu riverine procession,” he said, adding that about 15 ships will join the procession.
For more information about the Borneo Mazu Cultural Festival, visit this link.
Among others present at the press conference was festival event chairman Kho Kee Hua. — DayakDaily
