Ethnic Chinese devotees towed a giant replica of a royal barge on a wheeled platform through a Malaysian city on Thursday in a rare and colorful procession aimed at collecting and banishing evil spirits. Steeped in religious and cultural rites, the Wangkang — or royal ship — procession snaked along a 9-kilometer (6-mile) route in the historic city of Malacca with 22 stops where priests performed cleansing rituals to command evil spirits and other negative influences to board the boat.
Steeped in religious and cultural rites, the Wangkang – or royal ship – procession is a colourful parade aimed at collecting and banishing evil spirits.
MELAKA: The majestic Wangkang barge is set to "sail" next month, turning the unique event as a curtain-raiser to the religious segment of Visit Melaka Year 2024 (TMM 2024).
MELAKA: The organiser of Wangkang festival 2024 hopes the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry will support the event by incorporating it as part of the 50th anniversary of Malaysia and China diplomatic ties.
MELAKA: The needs of Chinese and Indian communities in the state have been well taken care of under the Barisan Nasional/Perikatan Nasional-led state government, says Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali.