Penang Festivals
Penang is famous for its rich culture and festivals. Celebrations of these festivals are on throughout the year. There is a lot of color and gaiety in each of these festivals that the Malaysians are known to share. Festivals create a pragmatic bonding between the citizens. In Penang, there are a number of festivals that are celebrated amongst the town folks.
Thaipusam is one of these festivals that are celebrated with pomp and gaiety. This is one of the ancient Hindu festivals celebrated amongst the Tamil Hindus and marks the victory of the good over the evil. There is a lot of colour and gaiety observed in Thiapusam and the celebrations continue for a few days.
The Chinese New Year is another festival that is equally celebrated throughout Penang. The Chinese New Year follows the lunar calendar and therefore is celebrated from the first day of the month until the fifteenth day. There are a lot of colourful exchanges in the Chinese community and people fill the streets with happiness and gaiety.
The Hungry ghost festival is again another Chinese Festival that is celebrated with a huge following in Penang. The Chinese believe that in the seventh month of the Lunar Calendar the ghosts and spirits of the ancestors enter the world and move around freely mixing with their descendents. This is a time when they are in communion with their descendents and every effort is therefore made by the living to appease the dead. The seventh month is considered by the Chinese as the month for the ghosts and spirits. Living descendants offer complete meals and lavish food to empty chairs with the belief that their ancestors would be happy and satisfied with the offerings. People go the extra mile in offering fine clothing and gold too. Rich aromatic sticks are burnt during this period to keep the ghosts happy.
The Qing Ming Festival is also a similar celebration but here the older ancestors are the subject of reverence. Homage is paid and worshipping done in each Chinese household to appease the ancestors with the hope that they will drive away illnesses and bad luck from their respective descendents.
Deepavali is one Indian festival again, that is celebrated just before the setting in of the tropical winter. This is a festival of lights where people share the same belief that in the long run, good always win. Firecrackers are burnt to chase away evil spirits and announce that the gods have won over the evil and the world is at peace once again. Mythology supports the belief that the Hindu god Rama who is the reincarnation of Vishnu came back from 14 eventful years of exile, spreading happiness and good news amongst all. That is why thousands of earthen lamps are lit in celebration of this return.
There are many other festivals in Penang, which are celebrated with a lot of fanfare and happiness. This proves that Penang remains the cosmopolitan melting pot where people of all races, creed and caste share the same joys and sorrows amongst themselves.
