The Festival of Monkey God
Qi Tian Gong Temple
Eng Hoon Street/Tiong Poh Road
7 October 2006
Singapore

Qi Tian Gong celebrates the birthday of the Monkey God

Qi Tian Gong, a temple at Eng Hoon Street/Tiong Poh Road junction, is a 80 year old (probably older) landmark of Tiong Bahru. Twice a year, it celebrates in honour of its resident Deity, Qi Tian Da Sheng - 16th of the First Lunar Month and 16th of the Eighth Lunar Month. The devotees came from as far as Indonesia and they could be as old as the age of the temple.

On this hazy Saturday afternoon (7 Oct 06), the normally sleepy corner of Tiong Bahru estate came alive with colours, both in sight and in sound. A pair of southern lions and another three northern lions was there to perform for the Monkey God.

The medium of the Monkey God is probably in his sixties or even seventies, somewhat haggard looking but still healthy and strong. In his humble self, he went about performing his pre-trance offers of respects to the Deities while the drum and gong group rolled out the rhythm that has been associated with many adults present since their childhood days. In the old days, before a child could speak, he or she could beat the drum according to this beat that summons and keep the medium in trance. It was certainly a familiar beat, one that almost resonates in one's soul.

The medium burned a talisman to cleanse himself and the dragon chair. Then he sat on the chair facing the Deities of the temple, with the gongs on his left and the drums on his right. The catchy chant to invite the Monkey God was also being recited in beat with the drums. His eyes narrowed and he focused on the Deities. They were almost closed. Soon, his legs were shaking in beat with the rhythm. Sign of the arrival. His head started to roll in a circular fashion. His helpers were ready for his arrival. He arrived in a cool and quiet fashion. He was welcomed by his helpers and he stood to start the agenda of the day. That is to prepare and lead the temple devotees to send off the Jade Emperor.

His helper helped to pierce a skewer, representing the five celestial armies, into his right upper arm. Holding his whisk, he was ready. A new dragon, with its eyes covered with a red cloth, was waiting for him to bring it to live. The Chinese call this "opening the light". With his brush dabbed in red ink, he went to tab on the strategic spots of the entire dragon. As soon as he had finished with the last spot, the dragon came alive! The youngsters could really make the dragon twirl and turn in the air, as if it was alive. Maybe, it was.

There was also a traditional Teochew "Kong Kuan" (in Hokkien or Teochew dialect) which is a troupe of gongs and cymbals directed by a big drum. The quiet street came alive as the procession started winding up the hill with the lions, dragons, Kong Kuan, three sedan chairs carrying the statues of the Deities, one of them being the Monkey God, and last being the medium and the devotees.