Penang’s Chap Goh Meh bash

Penang’s Chap Goh Meh bash

MORE than 10,000 people are expected to turn up for the Chap Goh Meh celebration at the Esplanade seafront in Penang today, where the ever-popular orange-throwing tradition will take centre-stage.

Jointly organised by the state government and Astro, the festivities will kick off at 4pm featuring an array of exciting activities including Chingay, lion dance and 24-season drums performances as well as Astro artistes wowing the crowd.

There will also be a procession of dondang sayang (lullaby of love) float as well as a ‘Baba Nyonya’ performance.

Chap Goh Meh or the 15th day of the lunar calendar is a day many will look forward to as it is not only the last day of Chinese New Year, it is also a day where single ladies hope to find their “prospective husbands”.

Also known as Yuan Xiao, many eligible women would take the opportunity to throw mandarin oranges into the sea or river hoping to get a good partner.

Traditionally, Chap Goh Meh was one of the few occasion where maidens were allowed to leave their homes.

Bachelors could only admire the lovely ladies who were always accompanied by guarding family members.

-News courtesy of The Star-