![[VIDEO] Honouring the Monkey God's birthday](https://media.thevibes.com/images/uploads/covers/November_2021/_large/0R2A6526.JPG)
ACCORDING to Chinese legend and history, the Monkey God – Sun Wu Kong – was originally an outcast from heaven, but by helping the monks to the West, he regained Buddhist immortality.
Characterised by his quick temper, the Monkey God is one of the most important and beloved literary figures in Chinese culture.
The Monkey God is believed to be blessed with unique superhuman strength, can transform into 72 different animals and objects, with each of his hairs possessing transformative powers, while being able to magically manipulate wind, water and fire.
On the 15th or 16th day of the first Lunar month of each year, devotees across the globe will celebrate his birthday.
In conjunction with the Monkey God’s birthday this year, The Vibes Culture and Lifestyle spoke to Sun Sheng Tang Lion Dance Association Chairperson Anby Ho Swee Yong on the celebrations that are now taking place following two years of stillness due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“For the Monkey God’s birthday this year, we will be having a procession and it will be the biggest in Seri Kembangan. We want to be inclusive as we want to bring the ‘Muhibbah’ spirit alive.
“After 65 years of Merdeka, we (Malaysians) do know each other, however not in detail.
“We don’t even know about our very own heritage – culture actually,” he said when met by The Vibes.
The procession stretched for 6.8 km and took four and a half hours with floats, choral performances on the street and lively lion dances throughout the Seri Kembangan area.
For the record, during these events, there are no aggressive activities, despite there being shamans possessed by the Monkey God spirit, falling into a trance and performing ‘wondrous deeds’ to foster interactions between the Monkey God and the devotees.
According to Anby, another motive for the procession was to re-establish the sense of cultural history to younger generations.
“(It could be that... possibly...) the generation today are not so keen to know or learn in depth on (their respective) cultures, so we are trying to ‘pujuk’ them to keep and inherit their cultures by keeping it together and growing it” he said.
The celebrations this year compromised 41 associations in total, including some from overseas, namely Hong Kong and Vietnam, the Indian urumi drum and the Malay kompang as well. – The Vibes, December 11, 2022
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