Feista de San Pedro, an amazing living tradition in Melaka
Why do the Portuguese in Melaka celebrate Feista de San Pedro?
The reason is most of the Portuguese living in the Portuguese Settlement, Praya Lane and Kampong Banda Hilir ,Ujong Pasir, Melaka were fisherman (during the yesterday).
Therefore, for more than four centuries this traditional festival has been held to honour St. Peter the patron saint of fisherman in the Portuguese Settlement, Melaka
Over the years, Feista San Pedro has grown to become a well-known tourist attraction. This festival was even listed as a tourist calendar event by the Tourism Ministry and the Malacca government.
If you would like to join in this celebration, do come to Melaka during the month of June. This celebration is generally celebrated from 23rd – 29th June each year. However, please check with the Melaka Tourism site or the Melaka yearly events for the exact date.
What to see?
You could feel or “relive” the Old Portugal’s Glories in Melaka during the celebration. Some of the activities held are the entertaining of folk dance and band by The Rancho Folchorico San Pedro.
The dancers, dressed in colourful costumes, will twirl and dip in medley of traditional dances of old Portugal like Branyo, Chirkoti & Serempah de Mor.
Aside from that, a tradition known as “Gensay Barco” or blessing of the fishing boats, traditionally held off Lisbon could be experienced during that day.
Let me share with you how they do it. The fishing boats will be cleaned and oiled. Then, it will be candlelit and colourfully decorated with flags and biblical quotes. Later, the boat will be blessed by a priest supplicating a better season.
Sometimes, you could even enjoy a mock Portuguese wedding during the Feista de San Pedro. The activities held vary each year and depends on the organizing committees.
Another rare or disappearing activity you might want to look out for is the langgai pushing competition.
Lastly, you should patrol along the food stalls and get your hands on the traditional or should said Localized Traditional Portuguese Cuisine there.
More Portuguese Related Festivals in Melaka, Malaysia:
Feista San Juang-Feast of St John the Baptist. The tradition lives on in Malacca.
Intrudu-The local Melaka Portuguese community’s very own interesting water festival. Join the fun splashing cultural activities in the Portuguese Settlement, Melaka.
Fiesta San Cruz- Another interesting Catholic celebration in Malacca. Read about the legend and stories of the origin of this fiesta here.
Good Friday Celebration & Procession
The Good Friday Celebration in Melaka could be traced back to the late 1500’. Wow! Read more about this historical Catholics celebration.
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