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​Chingay: The history behind one of Asia’s largest float parades
Written By Hazel Chew
Chingay is best known for showing off Singapore’s multicultural elements through its huge flashy floats and unique performances every year, but Chingay is more than just these showy floats and performances. Not many know of its true origins as of Asia’s largest street performance and float parades.
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Chingay parades started in 1973 to carry on the festive spirit during celebrations for the birthdays of Chinese deities or the procession of the Goddess of Mercy when firecrackers were banned in the 1970s due to several fatal accidents. From acrobatic acts, stilt walking and colourful floats, Chingay was a substitute for the people to continue enjoying the high energy of the celebrations when a key element in those celebrations was no longer allowed. Its multicultural aspect came to life in 1977 when Malay and Indian groups started joining the parades.
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Ever since then, Chingay has evolved to become the marvellous parades that we know and love today. Festive is one way to describe the 200-meter long firecrackers, the world’s biggest and longest flying dragon performance and 6,000 volunteer performers for this year’s Chingay parade that was held on 31st January and 1st February 2020 at 8pm at the F1 pit building.
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For the first time in Chingay history as well, there will be a unique fusion segment choreographed to have performers from different cultural and racial backgrounds perform together, called “Harmony in Motion”. The costumes, music and choreography will have some common elements, but there will be distinct differences to showcase their unique ethnic identities.
Caption: PA Talents Chinese Dance Ensemble dancing to the unique music for their segment, Harmony in Motion (PHOTO: DAVID MACARAIG)
Chan Yew Yew, a seven-year veteran performer in Chingay, tells us about this year’s Chinese Dance ensemble for Chingay as well. The ensemble combined traditional Chinese Dance with flamenco and Korean pop (K-pop) elements in a thrilling “three-in-one” performance. She describes Chingay as “a way to celebrate Chinese dance, to bring in the atmosphere for Chinese New Year.”
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Chingay has its interesting and unique roots as a festive celebratory occasion in Singaporean history, especially with the firecracker ban, and throughout the years has even adopted Singapore’s sense of multi-ethnicity and multiculturalism. It truly does represent Singaporean culture well as it grew from its beginning as a purely Chinese celebration to a proud parade for the whole nation.