penang attraction - the Esplanade

Penang is one of the tourist attraction in Malaysia. It had done a lot to pull more visitors to the small island state.

The latest was the Japanese style celebration, Bon Odori Festival. It is the traditional old Japanese way of honoring the departed spirit of the ancestors. However when they brought it to Malaysia, many do not know the real reason behind the celebration. The general public will view it is the celebration of dances.

The celebration was lead by Japanese community from the Penang Japanese school who performed the drumming while a selected Malaysian student were doing the dances. A great number of the visitors wear the traditional Japanese dress. The came singing and dancing the Japanese way.

the extract is given below...

THE Esplanade field in Penang was transformed into a mini Japan when thousands of people thronged the place for the Bon Odori Festival.

There was a myriad of colours at the field as many came clad in yukata and other traditional Japanese outfits to blend in with the occasion on Saturday.

Some turned up as early as 5pm for the event which featured, among others, traditional folk performances, games and stalls selling Japanese food.

Some youngsters even paraded around in vibrant cosplay costumes from various Japanese anime series, complete with coloured wigs and fancy footwear.

The crowd sang and danced along to traditional folk performances by various local and Japanese groups and individuals from schools and organisations.

The Penang Japanese School performed the Taiko drum while selected Malaysian students studying Japanese language at SM Sains Tuanku Syed Putra (Perlis), SM Sultan Abdul Halim (Kedah) and Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Integrasi Kubang Pasu (Kedah) performed the Soran Bushi dance.

A 22-member dance group from Japan, the Samurai Maeda Toshiie Ondo Mai, performed the Yosakoi dance.

original posting below.. by Zalinah Noodin

Bonding through dance 4 days ago ... THE Esplanade field in Penang was transformed into a mini Japan when thousands of people thronged the place for the Bon Odori Festival. thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?sec=north&file=/2011/7/18/North/9120452