Ancient rite for the dead gets new lease of life
KAMPAR: An almost extinct and elaborate ceremony for the departed, which is held before a wedding, is being revived after almost 48 years.
Known as deu lao in the Sihui dialect of the Cantonese community, the ceremony is unique to the Sihui clan.
Groom Mook Yeck Hong is determined to see the rites practised in honour of his ancestors.
Clearly excited about the big day, Mook said he just wants to continue his family’s legacy.
“My father, being the eldest son, had his deu lao done a day before he got married in 1969.
“Before my grandmother passed away, she reminded him that the same ceremony must take place when I got married.
“I have not seen such a ceremony before although I’m a Sihui Cantonese,” said the 42-year-old, whose traditional wedding tea serving ceremony was held on Friday.
His father Mook Yue Kong, 81, who was beaming over the joyous occasion, said the deu lao “pays homage to the deities and the family’s forefathers for their continuous blessings”.
An altar with offerings such as steamed chicken, roast pork, fresh vegetables, cake and rice wine adjoined another table with a flower tower.
Fifth-generation Taoist priest Tham Kum Wah said the entire setup of flower tower surrounded by seven oil lamps signifies abun- dance for future generations.
The piece of cloth atop the flower tower represents a bridge for deities and ancestors to cross after an elaborate ritual is performed to summon them by one or two Taoist priests, he said.
Deu lao literally means running around a tower.
In ancient China, Sihui farmers performed the ritual as thanks to the deities for a good harvest and dispelling negativity.
Nowadays, the community most- ly do it to seek blessings before a wedding, although many no longer practise the tradition due to its elaborateness.
Tham said many of the younger generation “have not even heard of it”.
He said the ceremony usually starts with a summoning of the deities and ancestors recited in Sihui, followed by hours of Chinese opera-like recitals, prayers and wishes.
“What is recited has been passed down way before my grandfather’s time and is very poetic,” said Tham.
When contacted, a spokesman from Malaysia’s Federation of Hui Ning Associations said they did not have any record of the tradition because of its rarity.
“Not all families opt to do this even if they are of Sihui heritage.
“It is an ancient practice that is slowly riding off into the sunset,” she said, adding that the federation was also interested to gather more details about the tradition.