NINE EMPEROR GODS FESTIVAL

Chinese of Taoist discipline throughout Malaysia make their annual pilgrimage to temples to celebrate "Kau Wong Yeh" (Cantonese) dedicated to the Nine Emperor gods from [see calendar]. This festival is celebrated for nine days starting from the first day of the ninth moon.

There are many stories related to the origin of the Nine Emperor Gods. Some say they were the nine brothers created by the divine power "T'ien Hou" (Queen of Heaven). Others relate it to the western version of Robin Hood, who robbed from the rich to help the poor Some explained that the Nine Emperor gods are manifestations of the Nine Star Lords residing in the Northern Bushel whose function is to control death. But, human nature causes them to seek for more concrete things to relate the unreal, the star deities were thus humanised to make them meaningful to people.
 
 

UNUSUAL

The festival of Nine Emperor Gods is one of the most colourful and unusual celebrations in Malaysia. Many are amazed by the fire-walking ceremony which is accompanied with the loud clashing of cymbals and the beating of the the drums. This event is one of the highlights of the celebration and takes place on the evening of the ninth day. A troop of mediums take turns to walk barefoot over a pit of burning charcoal fire. It is belief that the soles of the feet will remain unblistered and unburnt if he is a true worshipper of gods and has undergone a proper vegetarian diet.

Another fascinating ceremony is when the mediums go into trance and perform many dangerous acts such as piercing long metal rods through their cheeks, or sitting on chairs with spikes or walking on swords. Here again, the mediums will feel no pain or bear any scratch because of their faith in the Nine Emperor Gods.

It is a practice that devotees should follow a strict vegetarian diet for the duration of the festival. Devotees believe that this is the time when the Nine Emperor Gods roam the world. Therefore, it is important to abstain from non- vegetarian food. Some worshippers even go to the extent of buying new cooking utensils, chop-sticks and spoons which are untainted by animal fat.
 

VEGETARIAN

Today, there are in the towns and cities vegetarian restaurants where the devotees can patronize. One can easily identify them by thye yellow cloth banner hung outside their premises. The popular vegetarian dishes served are soya bean curd cakes cooked in peanut oil and topped with a salty brown sauce or rice noodles fried with sliced vegetables. Turtle-shaped buns are also found in abundance at the numerous stalls within the temple premises. During the festival there are also counters open where one can make donations. In return the donor is given a yellow band which he ties around his wrist.

The last day is the most dramatic highlight of the festival as it culminates with a grand send-off for the Nine Emperor Gods. Everyone carries incense which perfumes the air with its fragrance, to be offered to the gods. All these are acts of grave piety and a display of fervent devotion.