For the first time since the Covid 19 pandemic surfaced in 2019, the gay and merry Chingay parade took place in George Town, Penang in a big way and was touted as the biggest street procession within the Unesco World Heritage Site.

Twice the number of usual participants took part in this unique festival and the procession of flag bearers, lion and dragon dancers, trishaws and floats stretched for nearly 500m as it meandered its way through the city.

According to the Penang Chingay Association, 37 teams from various associations and clubs took part this year, unlike the year 2019 when 15 and 20 groups took part in the celebrations before the Covid 19 pandemic struck.

Thousands of people witnessed the procession, which started from Johor Road, next to Padang Brown at about 7pm on March 12, 2023 before finishing in front of the State Legislative Assembly building on Light street close to midnight.

Due to the Chingay parade procession, roads such as Jalan Dato Keramat, Jalan Burma, Jalan Transfer, Jalan Sri Bahari, Jalan Penang, Lebuh Chulia, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, Lebuh Farquhar and Lebuh Light were closed to traffic.

The roots of the parade can be traced back to China. But the first Chingay flag spectacle was held in George Town in 1919 during a celebration of the birthday of the Goddess of Mercy organized by market traders and various other Chinese communities.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE