Donald Chin, Singkawang’s Spirit Festival (PEOPLE 2025)

On the 15th day of the Chinese New Year, the city of Singkawang, West Kalimantan becomes a stage of faith and endurance. Thousands gather to witness the Chap Goh Meh Festival, where spirit mediums enter trance and invite deities to inhabit their bodies. In vibrant procession, devotees pierce their cheeks with rods, swords, or symbolic objects—acts of devotion believed to protect the community and drive away misfortune. Incense, firecrackers, and the rhythm of drums fill the air as temples overflow with prayer. What begins as ritual suffering transforms into celebration, uniting heritage, belief and resilience in one unforgettable spectacle.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.