25 June 2004
Thanks to Victor on the lead. I went to the tentages at
the empty land next to Redhill MRT. It's the temple "Long Chuan
Dian" (in Mnadarin) celebrating the birthdays of Cheng Wan (City God) and
Twa Ya Peh (Mandarin: Da Er Yeh). Da Er Yeh refer to the two Nether Gods
- the tall Bai Wu Chang and the short Hei Wu Chang.
The ceremonies began on Thu night when the Jade Emperor
"arrived". Since then, there have been wayang performances and
this will continue for the next few days. On Sat night, there will be
"spiritual consultation" at 8:15pm. On Monday
8:10pm, there will be a major spirit possession ceremony during which visitors
are requested not to wear black clothing. On Tuesday 10pm,
there will be possession by "Ji Gong", the monk deity, who will send
off the various gods, thus ending the celebrations.
Wee Cheng
Following up on Wee Cheng's information, I went avisiting.
Oophs, when I reached there, I remembered Wee Cheng's advice about wearing
black. I was wearing a black t-shirt! Looking around, there were some with
black t-shirt as well. So, it was not so bad.
When I reached there at about 8.10pm, there was quite a queue
of people - young and old, waiting patiently with their pack of joss-papers
and a paper-doll. I mingled with the crowd and watch the spirit mediums
getting into trance.
On the right (as seen from the statues) was the nether world. I
am not sure if it was "Twa Ya Peh" or "Li Ya Peh" getting
into trance. The medium was dressed in blue with a tall hat and the words
"Yi Qian Fa Cai" and has his face painted dark green. His tongue was
surprisingly red, with which he would use to put the seal on and then pressed
against the devotee's back (shirt).
While this was going on, the centre of the tentage was
dedicated to the Monkey God. The medium was dressed with the two long feathery
tail (as seen in operas) and had his long metal pole. The way he walked,
looking about, and scratched his body was exactly as what you would see
in the movie of the Monkey God and even the monkeys!
He had a chair carried to the front of the wayang (opera) and
he sat on it. No, not on the chair but on the side or on the back of the
chair, looking at the opera and enjoying the different fruits, bananas, grapes
and yes, peaches. He shared with the assistants and even offered to the old
ladies and young children who were there watching the Hokkien opera.
I did not stay to know how long he stayed to enjoy the rather
humourous Hokkien opera. (^^) There was quite a crowd of old people and young
children watching the opera. Redhill is a mature estate, but with the
redevelopment of the old flats to new, such a community may also disperse in
time to come.
Victor Yue
29 June 2004
According to Victor's description, it should be 'Tua Ya Peh'
in the trance. 'Li Ya Peh' will have always have his face painted
black. The green face 'Tua Ya Peh' is the one from the 7th Hall (Qi Dian).
Another way to differentiate the two wold be - 'Tua Ya
Peh's body is more is upright when walking and normally carrys a white or red
colured 'ling pai' while 'Li Ya Peh' would stoop very low and carries a chain
and a black colour 'ling pai' which is square.
Hope this helps!
Andi
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Tan Wee Cheng, Singapore 
weecheng.com 
