GEORGE TOWN: Chingay may have originated with the Chinese community but today, the art form is practised by people of various backgrounds.
Fuelled by the spirit of camaraderie, they stood shoulder to shoulder as they manoeuvred giant 10m-tall flagpoles along crowded streets during the Penang Chingay Parade 2025.
Among them was Noorfadzilah Madzlan, 36, one of the event’s few female participants.
She started at the age of 12 after being introduced to it by a friend.
“There were virtually no girls involved back then. Even today, there are very few of us,” she said.
Noorfadzilah described herself as the tough type who likes to challenge herself.
“Carrying the flagpoles proved exhilarating. The key is to be brave and never second guess yourself when executing stunts,” said the single mother of two after the event on Saturday.
Noorfadzilah, who works as a personal assistant to a doctor, said she loved the bond shared among flag bearers.
All of them, she said, went through the same gruelling training to hone their skills.
She has performed in various parts of the country. But at one stage, she had to stop doing so due to work and having her first child.
“My association leaders kept asking me to come back. They said female Chingay practitioners are a rare breed and I shouldn’t let my talent go to waste.
“Besides, where else would you get to join friends of various races in marching down streets, showing off what you can do?” Noorfadzilah quipped.
Sharing those sentiments was businessman Jamil Mohamed, 46, who participated together with his son Mohamad Hazziq Zaq-kuan, 16.
Jamil first got involved with Chingay around the age of 18 after following his brother to practice sessions.
Nowadays, he sees it as an escape from life’s stresses.
“Our group has about 30 members, a mix of different races. It was great walking together, taking turns to perform and having fun,” he said of the parade which took an estimated 4km course from Padang Brown to the Esplanade.
While practitioners may sometimes seem nonchalant in executing Chingay stunts, Jamil said they actually take safety seriously.
The massive bamboo poles, though relatively lightweight, can cause injury if not handled correctly.
“Along the route, we encountered many people who were curious about the technical aspects.
“We were glad to share. This is what makes the event such a community event,” Jamil added.
One of the younger participants this year was Aiden Yuen Kwok Tung, who is just 12 years old. He wowed onlookers by balancing the flagpole on his lower abdomen while spinning on the ground.
“It’s nice to perform in front of so many people, especially alongside my friends,” he said.
This year’s parade featured some 40 groups and 20 giant flags. They were accompanied by a marching band, a group of Peranakan women on trishaws and many thematic floats.
Lion dance on stilts performances, dragon dances, as well as Malay and Indian dance and music performances further enlivened the occasion.
At the end point at the Esplanade, an interactive zone was set up for the public to try their hand at carrying the poles, alongside an informative exhibit on Chingay’s history in Malaysia.
Gracing the occasion was Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai and other state leaders.
Chingay was recognised as a part of Malaysia’s National Cultural Heritage in 2012. In April this year, it was jointly nominated by Malaysia and Singapore for Unesco’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list to acknowledge its shared history and multicultural appeal.
