Hmm… I was a bystander and don’t know much about this spiritual ritual. It involves a man who appears to be possessed spiritually and behaves like a child, sucking a pacifier. Also, another person (a Taoist devotee?) performing the ritual will spank the ground several times with a long whip, giving out loud cracking sound.
A lady offered the “possessed” man a packet of sweets. Skittles?
Maybe the bridge-like structure was for the child-like man to cross. I didn’t stay long enough to witness the whole process. The devotees had to take off their shoes to stand within the area where the ceremonial ritual was performed.
The devotee donning red robe was blowing an instrument during the ritual.
The “possessed” man was constantly swaying and moving.
A small stage nearby was performing Chinese Puppet show. Apparently, the Puppet show was for ceremonial and religious purposes. Can you see the two actors behind the puppets? The ladies were manipulating the puppets while role-playing the characters.
The stage front of the small scale Chinese Puppet show.
Meet the puppet troupe behind the stage. Some of them were playing Chinese musical instruments like the Erhu.
Cool Puppet Showww….. =)
I like to watch these type of spiritual ceremony! Interesting!
I always wanted to capture these spiritual rituals in action with my camera. But a bit ‘takut’. Not really afraid of the ‘ghost’ or looming spirits. But, a bit hesitant. Not sure whether the organizers want to see cameras around 🙂
Any opera singers???
Cheers!
Alex Loke
@arjaeuse: yeah, hardly see such puppet show around nowadays.
@peteformation: ha yeah mind boggling sometimes… unexplainable.
@mylo: Actually, I’ve the same feeling n concern as you too… so sometimes, I’m quite “thick-skinned” 😛
No opera singers.
what festival was this?
the spirit i believe is of the child ‘ne-zha’; common characteristics identified with this deity is the pacifier, ‘top-knot pigtail’, circular metal hoops, and sometimes a spear.
performances are usually puppet show to entertain the child spirit.
the bridge is indicative of crossing over realms.
ceremonies are usually conducted to commemorate the diety’s ‘birthdays’.
operas are sometimes staged depending on the diety and committee / public support.
such sights are common in penang from august till jan every year.
if u r interested i can share some info & pix.