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THE CLIMATE 5

The Mooncake and Lantern Festivals. Traditionally called the midautumn fentival, it was celebratcd to give thanks for a plentiful harvcat. fhe origins date from the Sung Dynasty (A.D. 970-1279) when Chinese officials would cxclmngc round mirrors as gifts to ruprcsmt the moon and symbolize :;uod health and success. Todav, the holidav is cclebrated by eating moon cakes, which are sort of like little round hockey pucks filled with lotus seeds or red bean paste and a salted duck egg yolk. Children light colorful plastic or paper lanterns shaped like fish, birds, butterflics, and, more recently, cartoon caracters. There’s an annual lantern display and competition out at Chincsc Gardcn, with acrobatic performances, lion dances, und night bazaars. Late September/ early October Birthday of the Monkey God. In the Chinese temples ceremonies are performed by medium who pierce their faces and tongucs and write prayrs with the blood. In the ternplc Court yurds you can see Chinese yoer.m and puppet shows. The Tan Si Chong Su Temple on Magazine Road, upriver from Boar Quay, is a good her for seeing the ceremonies. Contact the STB for information. Late September/early October.

Pilgrimage to Kusu Island. During this monthlong period, plan your trips to Kusu Island wisely, as the place becomes a mob scene. Throughout the month (the lunar month, that is), Chinese travel to this small island to visit the temple there and pray for another year of health and wealth. See singapore & malaysia websection 5 for more information on Kusu. October/November.Festival of the Nine-Emperor God. During this celebration, held over the first 9 days of the ninth month of the lunar calendar (to the Chinese, the double nines are particularly auspicious), temples are packed with worshippers, hawkers sell religious items outside, and Chinese operas are performed for the Nine-Emperor God, a composite of nine former emperors who control the prosperity and health of worshippers. At the height of the festival, priests write prayers with their own blood. On the ninth day, the festival closes as the NineEmperor God's spirit, contained in an urn, is sent to sea on a small decorated boat. Contact the STB for information. Late October.Navarathiri Festival. During this 9-day festival, Hindus make offerings to the wives of Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. The center point in the evenings is Chettiar's Temple (at 15 Tank Rd.), where dances and musical performances are staged. Performances begin around 7:30pm. Contact the STB for information. Late October/early November.
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