THE NINE EMPEROR GODS (KOW WONG YEH).

The festival of the Nine Emperor Gods is one of the most grand festivals of Taoism. This festival begins on the eve of the 9th month of the lunar calender. Dedicated to the nine sons of Dou Mu Yuan Jun (The Goddess of the North Star) and Dau Fui Yuan Jun. The nine sons, also known as the Nine Emperor Gods, are worshipped as the patrons of properity, wealth and good health. It is the immigrants from the provinces of Fujian and Quangdung (Widely practiced in Southern China) who brought with them this practice to S.E.Asia.
On the eve of the 9th lunar month, temples of the dieties hold ceremonies to welcome the Nine Emperor Gods from the river sides or seashores. Devotees usually observe nine days of strict vegetarian diets. The climax of the festival is the fire-walking ceremony (only done by those who have observed 9 days of vegetarian diets) followed by the sending off of the Gods. Most times street processions are organised on a grand scale with devotees going into trances. Some might even have their cheeks pierced by  long lances which they carry throughout the processions. Marching bands, flower girls and floats add to the carnival like atmostphere. The main attractions are the heavy sedan chairs carried by four or more devotees in white that will swirl and swing as they slowly move along with the procession.

A devotee praying and
burning paper offerings.



A devotee having his cheek pierced
 by a long lance conducted by the master.




Devotee in a trance, prancing
round the temple compound.



Fire walking is on the last day of
 the festival preceding the sending
 off of the Nine Emperor Gods.




Devotees from other races
 sometimes join in too.



Lion and dragon dances are
a  part of the procession.

 

The giant flag bearers show
off their skill by manoeuvering,
 tossing to each other and
 balancing the flags.

Marching bands are the ones
 providing the beats and
modern music to the mood.

The gaiety of the festival are
 shown on the faces of these girls.








 

HERITAGE BUILDINGS OF PERAK, MALAYSIA.

Perak, the Silver State of Malaysia has many old buildings with rich historical backgrounds. I include here some of the more interesting buildings for all to see.

Ubudiah Mosque, Kuala Kangsar.
Reputed to be the most beautiful mosque in Malaysia, it was located on Bukit Chandan in Kuala Kangsar. The word 'Ubudiah' means 'to yield oneself to the will of Allah'. The late Sultan Idris Murshidul Adzan Shah 1, made the decision to build this mosque. Work started in 1911, but was delayed when two elephants belonging to Sultan Idris and Raja Chulan fought and damaged the imported Italian marbles.

Ngah Ibrahim Fort (Matang Museum).
Ngah Ibrahim, the son of Che Long Jaafar, was a powerful and wealthy Malay tin miner. He lived in this fort, with walls that were fortified to resist threats from the secret societies, Ghee Hin and Hai San, as well as the East India Company. It was also here that Dato Maharaja Lela and one of his followers were tried for the killing of the British Resident, J W W Birch. The building also was used to house Malaysia's first teachers training college. At present it is used as a museum.

Baba Nyonya House, Taiping.
From an anthrological point of view, the Baba Nyonya houses are masterpieces that protray the racial integration of the early Chinese immigrants and the locals. The fronts of the houses usually have intricately carved doors and windows. These houses normally have prayer halls and open courtyards (khim cheah) in the midsections for ventilation purposes.

Istana Ulu, Kuala Kangsar.
Built in 1903 during the reign or the 28th Sultan of Perak. Also known as Istana Kota, it is now used as Sultan Azlan Shah Gallery. Until 1954, it was used as ruler's residence. It was then taken over and was turned into Istana Kota National School. From 1970 onwards it was used as a girl school called the Raja Perempuan Mazwin School. In 2002, it was restored and now houses the Sultan Azlan Shah Gallery.

Malay College, Kuala Kangsar.
It is the first fully residential school in Malaysia. Established on 2nd Jan 1905, it was the brainchild of R J Williamson. Its first headmaster was Mr Hargreaves. Initially it was founded to educate the Malay elites, consisting of children of the royalties and nobility. In 1947 the policy was changed and is open to all Malays because of Malay nationalistic feelings. On the 10th June 2006, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan visited the school.

Royal Museum (Istana Kenangan), Kuala Kangsar.
Built mainly of wood, it was planned and built in 1926, after the Great Flood. The carpenter was Haji Suffian who came from Sebarang Perai with his children. Seen from the top, the building is in the shape of a sword. The walls are made of woven sliced bamboo and weaved in diamond shaped patterns. Completed in 1931, it became the official palace of Sultan Iskandar Shah (1918 - 1938). The sultan moved in because the Istana Negara was to be demolished and a new palace, the present Istana Iskandariah, was built. It is now used as the Royal Museum of Perak.

Perak Museum, Taiping.
This oldest museum in Peninsular was completed in 1886 and additions were made in 1900. In the early days, emphasis was given to natural science. Later, documentation of culture and the life of peoples of Malaysia were added.

Taiping Land Office.
Designed by Francis Caufield, a state engineer in the early Perak administive offrice. Started in 1892 and completed in 1897, it features a distinctive Palladian facade and rooftop's pedements. Initially it was used to house council chamber, offices for secretariates, treasury, audit, education and forest department. Now occupy by the Larut Matang and Selama Land and District Offices.

Taiping Prison.
Built in 1879, it was originally called the Perak Prison. The first prison in Malaysia, it was built because of the unrest in the wakes of the Larut Wars between the Chinese secret societies. In 1881, Sheikh wardens were brought in to assist the Malay wardens. A European warden was appointed in 1889. During the Japanese occupation it was used as a public prison as well as a prisoner of war detention center.

Ipoh Town Hall.
Designed by the British Government architect named H B Hubbach in 1914. It was completed in 1916 and reflects a neo Renaissance Victorian theme with Greek and Roman columns. The Malay Nationalist Party, the first political party formed in Malaya held its inaugural congress here from November 30th to December 3rd 1945.

Ipoh Railway Station.
Designed by the architect, A B Hubback, it was completed in 1917. It had Moorish inspired domes and is nicknamed the Taj Mahal of Ipoh. The first floor, is used as the Majestic Station Hotel. In front of the railway station is a fenced up tree called the ipoh tree from which the city got its name.

Sheik Adam Mosque, Ipoh.
Established by an Indian Muslim tycoon, Sheik Adam, from Southern India. This mosque is frequented by Indian Muslims of the 'Hanafi' sect. Completed in 1908 and built according to the 'Chitya Indian' or the Moghul mosque design.

Koo Miu Temple, Ipoh.
A 137 year old Taoist temple located in Bijih Timah Road, Ipoh. In the old days consultation and medicine were dispensed free to the local folks. A school was built to offer education to pupils considered too old to be admitted to government schools. It was built by Leong Fee or Leong Pi Joo, who came from Penang bringing along the spiritual tablet of the diety, Tua Pek Kong or Tai Pak Koong (God of prosperity) near the Kinta River.

GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea).

The grey heron is a wading bird of the family Arderdae. A resident of the temperate countries, they will migrate south during the winter months. When in flight they are very graceful and slow and  are quite noisy with the flapping of the wings.
They can be seen wading in shallow water or perched on top of branches, motionless, waiting for their preys. Small mammals, fish, small reptiles, insect and small birds make up their food chain.
Courtship is a ritual where the male archs it neck, stretching it skyward before lowering to the back. It sometimes snaps its bill and emits a distinctive call.
Nests are built in colonies on top of trees close to lakes, seashores or wetlands. Usually four blueish eggs are laid.
Subspecies of grey heron:
Ardea cenerea cenerea (Europe, Africa, W. Asia).
Ardea cenerea jouyi (Eastern Asia).
Ardea cenerea firasa (Madagascar).
Ardea cenerea moricae (Islands of Baca' Argum, Mauritania).




Perched on top of a branch
waiting for fish or other
 creatures to surface.

Taking off is just as beautiful.

They are graceful in flight.

Sometimes they can be quite playful.

This grey heron just caught a tilapia.

A CLIMB TO WATCH THE RAFFLESIA CANTLYI.

RAFFLESIA.
It is a parasitic flowering plant found in some countries of S.E. Asia. They grow in the jungles of Peninsula Malaysia, the Borneo Island, Sumatra and the Phillipines.
Named after Sir Thomas Stamfford Raffles, it has many species. The largest is the R. arnoldi, while the smallest is the R. baletei. The one found near Gopeng is the R. cantlyi.
It is an endoparasite of the vine in the genus Tetra stigma. This plant has no stems, leaves or true roots. Called the 'corspe flower' it gives off a foul smell that attracts insects and small mammals to help in the pollination.
Recently I went on a climb up some hills near Gopeng, Perak, Malaysia to watch the rafflesia in bloom. With my bagful of cameras, lenses and a metal Gitzo tripod, I nearly did not complete the climb in the driving rain. Even with the help of ropes, the almost verticle climb was rather taxing on me. Luckily some of the young staffs from tour outfit helped me.

Another view of the same flower.

The rafflesia cantlyi.

A photograph of
our group. Kurt is not in as he
 has to press the shutter button for me.

This is one of our Asli
guides. I nearly gave
up when she told me
there are 2 more
 hills to climb.

Kurt, a macro photography
 expert explaining to the kids
 about the leech in his hand.

Rajah brookes having a drink.

This is another dangerous
plant. But the squirrels
 that feed on the fruits
do not suffer any ill effect.

Be careful to stay clear of
these leaves. One touch and you
are in for a horrible burning
and itchy experience.

An ipoh tree from which the
Orang Asli people got their
 poison to tip their blowpipe
 darts. Notice the slash
wounds on the trunk?

A group of rajah brookes at
a salt lick. The locals must be
 educated not to kill the butterflies
 indiscriminately. Notice a few
 were dead on the ground?
Ran over by some motorbikes.

CHINESE OPERA

Chinese Opera dates back 4000 years ago. During the Han Dynasty (206BC - AD220) dances were blended with story telling to produce an elementary form of musical drama.
This was further developed during the Zhou Dynasty. During the Song Dynasty, usually groups of family members travel together to put on shows. Actors were trained from very young ages. As opera actors were lowly regarded, women were banned from stage. Their roles were taken over by female impersonators.
In 1790, theater companies from all over China arrived in Beijing to perform for the Qing Emperor, Qianlong's birthday. It was here that the history of the various opera forms that we know today began.

Applying makeup for
 the appropriate character.

An actress with
full colorful costume.

A drama in progress.

Musicians at the front and
below the stage provide
the accompanying music.

The actress bending
 backward for a stunt.

These are the percussionists
 providing the tempo
and beat for the dramas.

Final touchup
before the stage.

THE BABA AND NYONYA CULTURE OF MALAYSIA.

The Baba and Nyonya Peranakan culture of Malaysia can be traced back to the 15th and 16th century. It was during this time that the famous Chinese admiral, Cheng Ho, visited the Nasuntara with his fleet. With the arrival of Princess Hang Li Poh in Malacca, the Chinese population here increased. These early arrivals intermarried with the locals, adopted and assimilated some of the cultures into their own to form what is now known as the Peranakan culture.Many of these early arrivals plus quite a number of later imigrants to the colonised S.E.Asia became so assimilated that they speak a mixture of local and Chinese dialects. Today, many of these Peranakan can be found in what was once called the Straits Settlement states of Penang, Malacca and Singapore.

(All photographs shown here were posed by members of the Baba and Nyonya Association of Penang, Malaysia.)