The Chingay Parade is a local tradition that celebrates Singapore’s history, which is all relatively recent. This means showing off all of the different cultures in Singapore, with different groups performing for each culture represented. They also have lights and effects, stunt-artists and fireworks, because Singapore likes to do things extravagantly.
Rather than learn about one tradition, I learned many different traditions, because that is what makes Singapore special. People from all over the world live here, with most of the population coming from Asian countries. In this parade, there were dancers from the most represented populations in Singapore, including dancers who traveled all the way from Thailand, India, China, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines to get here!
Because Singapore is a relatively new city, the government puts a lot of money into parades like Chingay to promote a sense of nationalism. This is like when we, as Americans, say the Pledge of Allegiance; Singaporeans want to feel like they are united, and these kinds of events help promote bonding and pride in the country.
