Chingay Past and Present, Part 2
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The high point in 1905 was the Chingay Decoration Competition . Everyone tried to outwit the others with refreshing ways of decorating the miniature stage, with some selecting the prettiest girl to sit on the float. Even donkeys were used for the first time to carry and pull the float, replacing men. The seed of “motorised” float was hence planted. |
| With the advent of war, the Chingays in Penang quietened down and eventually became localised religious celebrations. | |
| But the traditions of Chingay spread further south to Johore. It took on a new lease of life in the 60s and became part of the Chinese New Year celebrations and a three-day festivity. Every Chinese dialect group competed to put up the best item for their group. Trucks carried generators and followed the procession in order to provide mobile lighting for the procession. | |
| The Johore procession had dragon and lion dances, and stilt walkers as their highlight. With the clanging of cymbals and beating of gongs and drums, it was bustling with noise and excitement. | |
| The wind of Chingay blew to Singapore twelve years later in 1973. Today, it is associated with an explosion of colours and most of all, joyous noise of cymbals, drums and voices. | |
| Many did not remember that Chingay was introduced as a substitute for a different kind of noise: firecrackers. In 1972, the government banned firecrackers after a fatal explosion in the Lunar New Year period killed two people. The ban, although necessary, disappointed many who felt that it dampened the festive spirit. | |
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