Singapore and Malaysia are set to jointly nominate the Chingay parade for inclusion in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This collaborative effort was announced by Singapore’s National Heritage Board (NHB) on November 5, signifying a celebration of the shared heritage between the two nations. The Chingay parade, a vibrant street procession held in Singapore, Penang, and Johor Bahru, serves as a representation of the cultural ties between Singapore and Malaysia, with the joint nomination marking the 60th bilateral anniversary between the two countries in 2025.
According to CNA, the Chingay parade was an evident choice for future UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage nominations based on feedback from consultations with the public between 2021 and 2022. The multicultural nature and familiarity of the parade with Singaporeans were the primary reasons for its selection. The successful inscription of Singapore’s hawker culture on the list in 2020 and the nomination of the traditional women’s dress, kebaya, in 2023 further underscored the prominence of Chingay as a potential addition to the UNESCO list.
The planned submission of the Chingay nomination is scheduled for March 2025, with the outcome expected to be announced at the end of 2026. The UNESCO list, established in 2008, is to raise awareness about the significance of various intangible cultural heritage elements, foster respectful dialogue that acknowledges cultural diversity, and provide due recognition to the cultural practices and expressions of communities globally.
Rooted in the Hokkien dialect, the word “Chingay” translates to “the art of costume and masquerade,” as per the Chingay Parade Singapore website. First introduced in 1973 in Singapore as a street parade to commemorate Chinese New Year, the Chingay parade was initiated at the suggestion of Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew to compensate for the ban on firecrackers in 1972. In Malaysia, the Chingay parade, organized by the Johor Bahru Tiongshua Association, has been a traditional annual event at the Johor Bahru Old Chinese Temple since 1870. In Penang, the parade is a multicultural and secular performance organized by the Penang Chingay Association in George Town, involving local and overseas performers and communities.
The Chingay parade is renowned for its elaborate costumes representing diverse ethnicities and cultures, decorative floats, intricate props and structures, and cultural performances from around the world. The heritage of the Chingay parade as an expression of Singapore’s multicultural society was emphasized by Singapore’s Minister for Culture, Community, and Youth Edwin Tong, who encouraged continued support and participation in the parade, particularly in light of Singapore’s 60th National Day in 2025.
This joint nomination marks Singapore’s third attempt at securing a place on the UNESCO list, following the successful recognition of its hawker culture and the nomination of the kebaya in collaboration with Brunei, Malaysia, and Thailand.
