Each year, on the 15th day of the Chinese New Year celebrations, Singkawang in West Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo) bursts into life with the vibrant Cap Go Meh Festival. With the rich influence of Chinese culture, this spectacular event features an enchanting display of tatung rituals, vibrant float parades, and dragon dance performances. These performances aim to drive away evil spirits and attract good fortune during the Chinese New Year.
The Longest Dragon Dance and the Float Parade
We attended the Singkawang Cap Go Meh celebration specifically to witness this occasion. On the 13th day of the Chinese New Year, a huge crowd was already gathered at the city center for the longest dragon and lantern parade I have ever seen in dust. Being predominantly a non-Chinese country, it was surprising that there was such a large celebration for the Chinese New Year, much larger than any event outside of China in this small town in West Sumatra,
The main highlight of the Cap Go Meh night parade was the dragon dance, featuring intricate dragon replicas dancing through the streets. There are a total of nine dragons in the parade. After a brief opening ceremony, the dragons moved slowly, passing the main VIP stage next to the enormous crowd.
The breathtaking sight of the dragons and floats winding their way through the city center, accompanied by traditional music and dances, captivated all those who lined both sides of the street, trying to raise their handphone as high as possible to capture the yearly event. Here are some of the photos we took during that night.
It was enchanting, and if you want to experience the ambiance and spirit of the Chinese New Year on a grand scale, come to Singkawang. You will be amazed by the activities and the enormous celebrations on every street we walk through.
The Cuci Jalan day
The next day, participating tatungs began the Cuci Jalan activity, where they visited all the main temples, including Tua Pek Kong, Guan Ti, and Guan Yin, as well as their temples. They also line up at the parade’s starting point the evening before in preparation for the early morning event.
The Tatung Parade: A Daring Display of Spiritual Power
The Tatung Parade happens on the 15th day of the Chinese New Year, known as Cap Go Meh. We arrived around nine a.m. to secure a good spot at the turn of the street, hoping to capture the best photos. The crowd pushed us from all directions, making it so crowded that we could barely stand with our feet together.
Then, we saw the parade approaching us from afar. Under the bright sunlight, Numerous Tatungs, or spirit mediums, enter a trance state and begin to dance, cheer, and shout, walking barefoot, performing feats beyond our imagination. They pierced their cheeks with a steel bar, sat on a stool covered in needles, and stepped the blade of the Guandao 关刀 (a Chinese weapon). Some of them uncontrollably sliced their tongues with a knife.
These rituals are deeply connected to ancestral spirits and are believed to ward off bad luck and protect residents from misfortune. The Tatung Parade is a test of endurance and a sacred tradition passed down through generations. The spiritual warriors, often dressed in elaborate costumes, invoke supernatural spirits for protection. This unique tradition has drawn the attention of cultural organizations and is considered an intangible cultural heritage of Singkawang.
Below are more photos we have taken.
Bakar Naga Ritual – Closing Tradition In Singkawang
Following the morning parade, nine dragon replicas in the carnival were set ablaze during a sacred dragon burning ritual in one of the Tua Pek Kong Temple in the evening. This tradition symbolizes the belief that it helps return the dragon spirits to their original home. After this process is done, the spirits are freed through fire. It is time for the dragons to ascend to the sky once again.
🎞️ Watch the video I shot during our stay at Singkawang
Please watch the video we made at Singkawang by clicking the image below.
Cross the border to Kuching
After the Singkawang Cap Go Meh celebration, we headed back to Kuching in Malaysia. We had spent a week here before and have written a few articles about this place. It is a valuable source of information for you to plan your visit to Kuching. You can view all the articles about Kuching here.