Hello my fellow Steemians,

I promised that I will post how Chap Goh Mei is celebrated in my hometown from my previous post and here it is. Sorry for the delay yo! too many things to do at the moment....

Chap Goh Mei is the 15th day of the Lunar New Year. It marks the last day of the celebration. Chap Goh Mei also marks as Valentine’s Day for the Chinese. The Chinese community particularly the “Hokkien” celebrate the occasion with a Bang!

The celebration highlights normally start in the evening from 5 pm all the way to 3 or 4 am the next day. The devotees gather in a temple to pray and prepare to bring the “temple god” for a walk around the village. They will walk to 4 stations around the village and this station are prepared by the neighboring villagers. Total coverage for the whole walk is approximately 6-7 km.

Roadmap for the devotees to walk from the temple to all the stations and returning back to the temple

Food offerings on display can been seen at each station. Giant joss sticks and insense are seen burned around the stations. Fireworks display can be seen around the the station. Firecrackers can be heard around the station. Lion Dance Performance and most of all the crowd from all walks of life can be seen here. It is exciting, loud and noisy occasion. The reason and beliefs for celebrating these yearly is to do blessings to the village and to bring prosperity to the neighbours.

It has been almost 6 years since I last attended the Chap Goh Mei celebration in Labuan. This is a yearly event which started somewhere in the 1950’s in Labuan. This year I decided to bring my family back to celebrate Chap Goh Mei in my hometown Labuan Island. We were joined by other Labuan Steemians on this occasion too!!

with @cathmot and my kids

With my Elder Brother

with @nickychu

with @dilresh & @connie1018

Devotees, villagers, tourist, and locals gathered around one of the 4 stations, mesmerized by the food offerings display that is prepared for the deities and remembering those who had passed away.

Young and old are seen enjoying this occasion, meeting up with old friends, and praying to the gods.

When the deities arrived at one of the stations, they will walk 3 rounds around the offerings table on display before the put the deities to sit and rest while enjoying the meals prepared by the villagers.

Oftenly, some of the devotees are in a trance while the procession is in place. One will be possessed by the temple god bringing good luck to the possessed.

Below are some of the photos at Station 2 & 4 that I visited.

Giant Joss Sticks

Food Offerings

As you can see the creativity from the villagers preparing the food offerings during this occasion is remarkable. If you happen to be in Labuan next time for Chap Goh Mei, make sure you make time to attend this celebration. You will enjoy it.

Below are some other photos for you to enjoy.

Fireworks Display