Quaint Siniawan Old Bazaar comes alive with Chap Goh Mei street ...
Visitors snap away on their mobile devices as dragon dance performers make their way through the bazaar during the Chap Goh Mei procession. – Photo by Roystein Emmor
BAU (Feb 5): More than 3,000 people flocked to Siniawan Old Bazaar tonight to witness and take part in the return of the Chap Goh Mei street procession after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Organised by the Swee Guk Kung Temple management, a total of 34 cultural troupes coloured the streets along the bazaar with a litany of performances to celebrate the 15th day of the Lunar New Year.
After conducting prayers at the temple, the troupes marched from the temple heading towards the bazaar, accompanied by lion and dragon dance performances, amid the setting off of firecrackers along the streets of the bazaar.
Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian was present to witness the procession, joined by Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh.
Dr Sim said it was his first participation for the event at the bazaar and expressed his excitement at being able to join the auspicious occasion.
Meanwhile, Miro said the procession had been planned since several months ago, adding that it not only served as a way to preserve the Chinese tradition but also to promote Siniawan as a tourist destination.
(From right) Miro, Dr Sim and others join cooks in preparing dishes for the Chap Goh Mei celebration at the bazaar. – Photo by Roystein Emmor
When met by reporters, Siniawan community leader Kapitan Bong Boon Koh said the annual procession which has been the town’s tradition since more than 100 years ago, had yesterday drawn thousands of visitors from within and outside Sarawak.
“This year’s celebration is much livelier than the years before, with visitors from outside the state joining in to celebrate Chap Goh Mei. The celebration continues tonight with more cultural performances,” he added.
Businesses in Siniawan Old Bazaar, consisting of coffee shops and food stalls, were bustling with activities to cater to the massive amount of visitors.
When met by The Borneo Post, a proprietor of a cafe at the bazaar, Tony Kho, said he was happy to see the bazaar come alive again with visitors coming in to watch the Chap Goh Mei procession.
Kho, originally from Kenyalang Park in Kuching, said he has been running his business at the bazaar for eight years and is currently residing there.
“It has been two years since the last time the procession was held, and I’m happy to see lots of visitors (at the bazaar). Business is good,” he added.
Kenyah sape master Matthew Ngau Jau also made an appearance at the bazaar to witness the procession and join in the celebration.
“Today’s procession is fantastic and the atmosphere is very good. Even the Dayak and other races also come here to participate in the celebration.
“As such, we should also do something similar with our Gawai celebration – perhaps a Gawai procession in the longhouses where we wear our traditional costumes to share the celebration to other races,” he suggested.
