Chingay Parade

Every year the Chingay parade marks the end of Chinese New year holidays in Singapore.

Chingay Parade in Singapore Chingay 2012 in Singapore

It is usually an elaborate parade with dancers and performers in colourful costumes and fantasy backgrounds.

The word Chingay has its origins from Hokkien one of the dialects spoken in Singapore.

It broadly refers to the “Art of masquerade”. The parade originated in China and was a celebration of the parade of the various goddesses and deities during the Chinese New year period.

Chingay Parade in Singapore Chingay 2012 in Singapore

The first Chingay parade in Singapore was in the year 1973. Ironically the Chingay celebrations did not start off in such a grand scale in the earlier years. The first year of Chingay was actually conducted as a response to the ban on fireworks.

The government wanted to show the people of Singapore that they can have as much pomp and celebration without fireworks. The public memory is short and the innate fun loving and united spirit of Singaporeans eventually saw the coming together of not only the Chinese but by the year 1977 Chingay was a celebration that the Malays and the Indians participated in alike.

This year the finale of the Chinese New year holidays celebrated its fortieth year and anyone who witnessed it will agree that the celebrations were getting more and more elaborate as the years go by.

Chingay Parade in Singapore Chingay 2012 in Singapore

2012 is the year of the dragon and the Chingay parade had dragons galore - dragons lit by LED, straw dragons, water dragons and you name it lighting up the celebrations.

The celebrations in the F1 pit area this year was based on the theme “Love, Care and Kindness”. The entire dragon theme was centred on a waterway 360m long.

The prelude to the parade was the mass mambo number, the Latin dance aerobics that has gained recent popularity and followed by the Zambo dance, the Latin dance moves with the Cuban feel.

The whole F1 pit area was filled with stalls and performers showing off their talents magically transforming the area into a carnival scene.

The Chingay has been called the Asian equivalent to the Mardi Gras and it has started moving more and more into the Carnival' realm.

Chingay Parade in Singapore Chingay 2012 in Singapore

The guests of Honour were the prime minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife along with some of his Honorary cabinet ministers who all stood up with the Zambo artists and joined their palms hand symbolically to show the "We are One" sign.

Bevy of beauties from around the world along with the Singapore Miss bride contestants graced the occasion with their glamorous presence.

Variety performances and colourful floats resplendent of the individual ethnic groups were the highlight of the show.

There was more than ample evidence of the unity of the diverse ethnic groups and races in Singapore from the avid participation seen in the signature performances by the Indian, Malay and Chinese artists. International dancers did not get left out in the festivities and added their own to the bountiful celebrations of Chingay.

Giant kites lit up the night sky as a way of bookmarking the stage of this magnificent scene a truly memorable experience indeed. Colour, glamour and happy notes echoed in the minds of all those who were witness to this display of culture.

Rumour has it that is year’s national day parade is going to be just as elaborate. Stay tuned for updates.

2012 Chingay Parade in Singapore - Friday, 3 Feb 2012