By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, April 10: A towering 295-ft incense fire dragon carrying devotees’ wishes heavenward took centre stage at the Seng Ong Kong deity’s birthday procession, as 222 troupes transformed Kuching’s streets into a vibrant display of faith, culture and unity yesterday (April 9).
Organised by the Kuching Hockien Association (KHA), the annual celebration was held at the historic Hong San Si Temple at Wayang Street, drawing large crowds eager to witness one of the city’s most significant cultural and religious events.
Among those present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng, and KHA president Datuk Richard Wee.
The procession began at 3.30pm, moving off from Wayang Street and passing through Jalan Tabuan, Jalan Ban Hock, Jalan Padungan, Bukit Mata, Main Bazaar, Gambier Street, Market Street (Open Air Market), Khoo Hun Yeang Street, Tun Abang Haji Openg Road, Pearl Street, Carpenter Street and Ewe Hai Street, before returning to the temple.
A key highlight was the intricately crafted Hior Huay Liong (Incense Fire Dragon), designed to hold joss sticks along its length, allowing devotees to place offerings directly onto the structure as it made its way through the city streets.
At the finale, yellow joss paper, or spirit money, was showered over the dragon before it was set ablaze in a sacred ritual symbolising its ascension—believed to carry collective prayers, wishes and blessings to the heavens.
Watch the 295-feet-long fire dragon here.
The procession also featured the revered Ma Zhu, the Chinese sea goddess, who was brought out ahead of Seng Ong Kong later in the evening, in accordance with tradition.
Adding to the spectacle were traditional performances including the iron-fire (Da Tie Hua) display, Guan-Jiang-Shou formations, and Dàtóu Wáwa (Big Headed Dolls), alongside drum and brass bands, lion dances and dragon dances.
Reflecting Sarawak’s multicultural harmony, the event also saw participation from groups of different backgrounds, including Kumpulan Hadrah Sri Melati from Kampung Sungai Maong and the Gabungan Orang Asal Sabah/Sarawak (GOASS).
In an interview, Richard Wee said participation was capped at 222 troupes each year to ensure better coordination of the large-scale event.
“Altogether we are supposed to be 222 troupes. We try to restrict the number of troupes about 222 every year,” he said.
He added that the procession continues to draw participants from beyond Sarawak, including four deities from Sabah (3) and Kedah (1), as well as troupes from Bintulu, Miri, and Siburan.
The Hong San Si Temple, established in 1848, is dedicated to the Hokkien child deity Kong Teck Choon Ong, also known as Seng Ong Kong or Xiong Gong, who remains widely revered among the local Chinese community.
Watch a compilation video of Seng Ong Kong’s birthday procession here:
— DayakDaily
