Nine Emperor Gods Festival (Kow Ong Yah), Jln Raja Uda, Butterworth

This Taoist Kow Ong Yah Festival reminds me of my late grandma, who will observe 9 days of strict vegetarian diet. A day before the festival, my mom would help my grandma to wash and prepare all the special kitchen utensils that are used only for vegetarian food. Some of our neighbors will join in to eat the vegetarian dishes that my grandma prepared. As a kid, I will also observed 9 days of vegetarian diet, together with my grandma. Oh, how I missed those good old days! I was back in Butterworth recently during the Nine Emperor Gods Festival and managed to snap some interesting photos.

1) Kow Ong Yah Procession at night. 2) Chek Kong (Beggar Deity) yam seng with the boss of a restaurant. Chek Kong always carry a bottle of Chinese Wine and a fan.

Devotees with iron rods pierced throught the cheek. Another medium with a bicycle pierced through his cheek!

Medium in trance with Ne Cha (Child Deity) spirits carrying a bottle of milk

A devotee in trance, pulling a statue of a horse using iron hooks that are pierced on to his back.

Spirits seated on the sedan chair that are carried by the devotees. It swings by itself and one can feel the weight. The Jln Raja Uda Tow Boo Kong Temple at night and in the morning.

Mediums in trance performing blessing on devotees. Ne Cha (Child Deity) with a pacifier in his mouth.

1) Note the wound on this medium's cheek from carrying the iron rods the night before. 2) Young boys playing the drum. These boys are real good at it.

The iron rods that are used to pierce the cheeks. A seat for the medium made from swords.

Nice and tasty offerings.......................................The Sedan Chair for the spirits.

These are all the vegetarian goodies available during this festivals. Yummy! 1) Ko wa, made from rice flour................2) So Hong Ko(Bee Loon), made from glutinous rice flour. Home mades Ko Wa, sweet and salty type. Haven't seen these in ages!

Video showing the Mediums performing blessing on devotees.