Saw an ad on the mini-bus to Kwun Tong- "Tin Hau Festival Celebration from 8th to 12th May". The ad showed a procession and two Chinese opera singers as a couple (both women). They are quite well-known in Hong Kong. It's interesting to note that women were barred from the opera stage till the late 1940s. Neat to think that men played all the female roles in Chinese opera since the 12th century!
Like all other big festivals, Chinese opera is performed for the masses in a bamboo tent (of course you have to get a ticket to get in). Sometimes, these operas are performed for people and sometimes for the dead (in the Hungry Ghost Festival in the 7th Lunar month). And this one- is for those who come for the celebration of Tin Hau's (Goddess of the Sea's) birthday.
Legend has it that Tin Hau was born in the Fujian province in AD 906. Her name was Lim Mo Niang and she became a goddess when she turned 15. She is said to be dressed in red when she shows herself in the middle of the ocean, guiding lost ships back to safety as well as rescuing seafarers from storms and shipwreck. In order to express their gratitude, temples were built to honour her. On her birthday, the 23rd day of the 3rd lunar month, fishermen would decorate their boats with colourful flags and head to the Tin Hau Temple to pay respects to her and pray for safety and a smooth year ahead. It is also accompanied by a celebratory parade on the streets outside the temple.
Since Hong Kong is surrounded by waters and that most of its natives were fishermen, there are as many as 70 Tin Hau Temples scattered all over the island, with the oldest one in Sai Kung Peninsular which was built in 1266. Needless to say, there's a grand celebration in Sai Kung every year. So you can imagine how it is like judging from my pictures that are taken from a "mini" celebration in the Tin Hau Temple in Kwun Tong.
The highlight of the parade is children dressed like mythodical figures standing on metal rods. It's really amazing. They look like they are floating in the middle of the sky. You can also see them during the Cheung Chau Bun Festival that happens on 24th May too. Other performances include a dragon dance, lion dance, kungfu display and marching band.
The interesting fact that I discovered was that many Hong Kongers, at least almost everyone that was there, owned a digital camera. They were all busy clicking and watching the parade through the viewfinder.
This is the first time I've been to this festival. It's simply awesome :)
P.S You can buy a handmade windmill from the stands by the roadside. Traditionally, people buy them after going to the temple. They believe that windmills can bring them good luck and ward off evils. But of course, others, like the kid below, buy them cos they are neat!
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