KUCHING: A breathtaking display of tradition and devotion brings Bau Town alive today as thousands thronged the streets for the annual Chap Goh Mei procession, transforming the usually quiet town into a sea of colour, culture and celebration.
The vibrant procession, that took off from Boh Long Sian Temple at around 8.30 am, was officially flagged off by Deputy Transport Minister, who is Tasik Biru state assemblyman, Datuk Henry Harry Jinep, marking the grand finale of the 15-day Chinese New Year festivities.
As drums thundered and cymbals clashed, the air vibrated with excitement while spectators lined both sides of the road, eagerly awaiting the arrival of elaborately decorated vehicles and traditional troupes.
From the moment the first lion dance troupe leapt into motion, Bau Town came alive.
Agile performers in shimmering costumes brought their lions to life, drawing cheers from children perched on their parents’ shoulders and elderly residents who smiled nostalgically at the age-old tradition.
The rhythmic beats of drums echoed through the town streets, symbolising prosperity, unity and good fortune.
Adding to the spectacle were dazzling dragon dances, their long, sinuous bodies weaving gracefully through the crowd.
Temple devotees, clad in red, carried incense and offerings, expressing gratitude and prayers for a year filled with blessings.
The scent of incense mingled with the aroma of festive treats, burnt on the altar placed in the middle of the streets, creating a sensory experience that captured the spirit of Chap Goh Mei.
Firecrackers crackled intermittently, punctuating the procession with bursts of sound that sent flurries of red paper fluttering onto the pavement – a traditional sign of driving away negative energy.
For many in Bau, the parade was more than just a celebration; it was a reaffirmation of cultural identity and community solidarity.
As the sun rises, casting a cool and cloudy morning across Bau Town, the shared joy among the multi-racial crowd stood as a powerful reminder of Sarawak’s harmonious diversity.
Henry, who joined the parade until finished, said about 1,000 participants from 106 troupes took part in this year’s parade.
The parade, he said, was supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), which allocated RM100,000 to them to organise the event.
“Today, I think this is the biggest Chap Goh Mei procession in the 206-year history of Bau in terms of the number of spectators.
“The procession, which is about tiga kilometres, is one of the biggest events that we used to hold annually,” he told reporters after the procession.
