The Birthday of the Monkey God

Qi Tian Gong, a temple at Eng Hoon Street/Tiong Poh Road junction, is about 80 years old. Twice a year, it celebrates in honour of its resident Deity, Qi Tian Da Sheng. Today was it was the birthday of the Monkey God.

This normally sleepy corner of Tiong Bahru estate came alive with colours, movement and noise. A procession walked through the streets with lion dancers, dragons, Kong Kuan (a traditional Teochew troupe of gongs and cymbals directed by a big drum), three sedan chairs carrying statues of the Deities, one of them being the Monkey God, followed by the medium and devotees.

Back at the temple, the lions and dragon were there to greet the Monkey God back, with the dragon forming an arch for the medium and his entourage to walk through. The devotees went across the street to have dinner with the buffet offered by the temple. (So did we!) Some stayed back to watch the Kim Eng Teochew Opera, but our time was up and we walked home…