More photos on Chap Goh Meh Drummers as I can't helped myself looking at their skills and determination to sound the gongs.

There was at the same time a Chingay display of our heritage culture.

We round up our Chinese New Year with Chap Goh Meh. For the Penang Chinese, the fifteen day and also the last day is a closure to Chinese New Year but a new beginning for the year.

We got the opportunity to see and listen to the new beginning of a fruitful and bountiful year. The sound of the drums and lifting of the Chingay poles is really sending an awareness of wishing all of us present, a new beginning.

All around Penang schools or clans houses, practices for drummers and Chingay procession has been going on for a year. The highlight and performance for these people is performing during Chinese New Year or any grand function in Penang.

The COOL si fu, all watched and listen in awe.

Even dad's head is not spared.

The seventh day and 15th day of Chinese New year are days the drummers will play in full attendance. Sometimes, as many as 40 drummers playing various interlocking rhythms roaring like the dragon dance or ocean waves captivates the crowd. The thunderous sound like the ocean waves roaring in and out, lifting our spirit higher and higher is such a enlightening sense of comfort.

Aspiring young drummer woos the crowd with every stomp he drums.

He smiles away as he could hear the other drum louder than his.

I could feel the ambience of new hope as I watched the crowd witnessing the Chingay, one man lift to triple man head stand balancing the Chingay bamboo poles. I felt elated by the encouragement  and I look forward to further success for all. God bless Penang.

Young lady drumming away. A new hope for a new year.

The "Chingay" performance  is a spectacular procession. The performers carried bamboo poles carefully watched by his other strong team mates. They would balance a huge flag pole with colorful triangular flags, on their forehand, chin, lower jaw or shoulders.

Lifting the chingay pole on the stomach

Three men taking turns receiving the Chingay pole

The 35 feet bamboo pole is tie with a strip of triangular transparent silk flowing from top till down to the ground to display the gracefulness. Some poles, I heard weighs 50 to 80 pounds. One can see that, to skillfully play with the chingay poles, you need great balanced, might and strength.  And if you observe, the powers of physical co-ordination and lightning reflexes are main agility points for being in the team.

So the Chingay  mates besides performing stunts, must ensure this soft material does not drape itself around and entangles the performers. Also, if the flagpole seems like falling at any time, the other team members will move in to prevent it from crashing on to the onlookers and spectators or objects which may be in its path.

The music makers for Chingay procession

Beautiful footwork. From the foot to the stomach, shoulder or head

When the Chingay bearer of the moment is tired, his mates will relieve him of the heavy weight of the flag and resuming the procession without a halt. It takes great strength to master the intricacies of supporting the flagpole and holding it aloft for all to see and admire.

There are also different performers accompanying the Chingay participants. And these include wildly animated lion dancers, moon face clowns, stilts walking  and girls trick cyclists. A band of musician playing Chinese instruments help to enhance further its spectators.

Standing on the bench, receiving it on the shoulder.

During each parade procession, the streets become a sea of colors and motions as multi-colored triangle-shaped flags billow in the breeze. Sometimes, the drummers and Chingay performers celebration is seen during birthdays of the Chinese deities. Since it is Chinese New Year, Chingay  and Chap Goh Meh drummers entertained both the human crowd and Goddess of Mercy who most locals worshipped.

Some more of Penang Chingay performance, history and flag making from here. Chingay is now performed in many parts of the world but read the past, present and future here. Penang Chinese has come a long time since the 19th century, the fine arts and crafts from mainland China is still practiced in Penang.

Know which animals you born with and why certain animalistic behavior we might have here. Interestingly read why fruits and trees are used by business people during Penang Chinese New Year.  

These are some of the Penang Heritage that is in dire need to be preserved. Most of the traditional cultures is what makes Penang into a heritage city recently.

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