JC. Princen The cultural attraction of the game Tatung in Singkawang is closely related to the cultural history of the city. The celebration of Cap Go Meh as a form of closing the Chinese New Year is a very festive celebration, and is celebrated colossally in the Singkawang, Kalimantan. This event is very well known both domestically and abroad.
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This is because there are attractions Tatung (Humans in a state of trance or unconscious, and possessed by the spirit of the god of China). The celebration at the Singkawang Cap Go Meh was attended by over 700 Tatung who came from all over the archipelago.
Tatung is acculturation of Chinese culture with Dayak Culture so that the Tatung of the Dayak also participate in the Cap Go Meh celebration centered in Singkawang.
Cap Go Meh symbolizes the 15th day and the last day of the Chinese New Year celebration for the Chinese community throughout the world.
Cap Go Meh symbolizes the 15th day and the last day of the Chinese New Year celebration for the Chinese community throughout the world.
The term Cap Go Meh comes from the Hokkien dialect and literally means the fifteenth day of the first month (Cap = Ten, Go = Five, Meh = Night). This means that the celebration of the Lunar New Year lasts for fifteen days.
The Fifteen Night Celebration in Singkawang is usually marked by a procession of dragons, kilins, lion dances, and Tatung around the city. Tatung is a person who provides himself to be entered by one of the gods known to the Chinese community.
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In the morning on the 15th day, the Tatung will gather to pray to Heaven on the prepared altar. The Tatung’s journey is stretched using a stretcher with sharp swords or sharp nails while showing off his immunity. There are also those who climb the sword steps, usually consisting of 36 or 72 shoulders/ stairs.
There are also Jailangkung attractions in the parade and the Cap Go Meh parade in Singkawang. This activity has begun to be developed as an object of tourism to attract domestic and foreign tourists. Because this Tatung Tradition is a fusion of Dayak culture and Chinese culture, the Tatung attraction is only found in Indonesia
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