The Extraordinary Cap Go Meh Festival in Singkawang, Indonesia

My friends and I love to travel and see different traditions and practices. This time, we travelled to Singakwang to witness the most extraordinary Cap Go Meh Celebration in Indonesia.

Just to give you a brief information about the festival.

The 15th day of the Lunar New Year, or better known here as “Cap Go Meh”, forms the highlight of any Chinese New Year celebrations in Indonesia. This is most elaborately held in areas with a large ethnic Chinese population such as in West Kalimantan, Bangka-Belitungand Palembang or in the Chinatowns of Semarang, Surabaya, Jakarta, Bandung, Manado and Medan.

The peak of the festival and of the entire New Year series of celebrations will be highlighted with the parade of the ancient art of Tatung.

Intended to repel misfortunes for the rest of the year, Tatung is the principle medium of the Cap Go Meh ritual to reject evil spirits. During the Tatung rituals, its participants will enter into a trance and perform many unbelievable stunts, such as stepping on a sword, or sticking steel wires or nails into their cheeks. It is quite unbelievable to see that despite such torture, the Tatungs are not wounded or even scarred.

Celebrated annually on the 15 day of the Chinese Year, Cap Go Meh literally translated means the 15th night, on which the first full moon of the year occurs. As the pinnacle of the entire Chinese New Year Celebrations, this truly amazing cultural event is surely worth traveling for, to watch and experience first hand.

The celebration actually happens for two (2) weeks with different activities. However, my friend and I focused on the parade of Tatung.

There were hundreds or even thousands of people who joined the parade. They have their own groups and styles to show. I could never imagine myself putting those rod through my chick. However, they were really strong. Where these participants don't show any pain (sakit).

I really love the colours of their traditional costumes. Some look really majestic with it. The combination of feathers, skeletons and body paints.

It's my third year to attend this celebration and I'm loving it. I love Singkawang and I love Indonesia. Thanks for showing me a different spice to warm my life. It will always be remembered.

NB: Hotels and motels are fully book during this time. So, if you are planning to visit the city, book earlier. But if you want to make it cheaper, like what we did. Bring your own tent and sleep near the beach. It will only cost you Rp. 20,000 per peson and Rp. 2,000 per bath in a clean toilet.

Source: http://www.indonesia.travel/en/event/detail/622/extraordinary-cap-go-meh-festivities-in-singkawang