Malacca, Malaysia
Once a Portugese port, the Chinese came as workers–and stayed for the next 300 years. Now dominated by Muslim Malaysia, there are still signs of the older Chinese faith. Beautiful images among the declining core of the city, crowded out by mosques.
This last one, hot air balloons?
No ma’am. Chinese lanterns above the Buddhist temple
But what is supporting them? Your photo are a highlight of my emails.
I am glad you like the photos. Mystery is part of my message.
🙂
My husband went to Malaysia on business around 20 years ago, and I am sure things were quite different. He mentioned that the Chinese were the leaders in business and industry, yet they were required to have a Malay business partner, at least in name. The Malays didn’t like that the Chinese minority had so much power, due in many respects to the fact that the Chinese were more educated and progressive, and also due to the fatalism of Islam, that one doesn’t seek to improve things that are, “inshallah,” the will of God.
It only gets worse. Islam is basically destroying every other culture. The Chinese population is small now, and the Malays, who were not Islamic to begin with, are being overwhelmed by Islam. Same in Indonesia.
True, In Malacca, there are quaint historical buildings that are both Chinese and Malay architecture, where the Chinese were married to Malays without ‘conversion’, with the Chinese conversing in Malay, bringing forth a unique hybrid culture, and cuisine (rich Peranakan curries) that was slowly dying out, but is being revived.
The first picture is that of a general, he was known for his strength, bravery, and loyalty to his men. As an individual, he was respected for his honour and righteousness, but was worshiped by the Chinese as the warrior god. He’s an actual historical figure who lived during the latter years of the Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD) and died, it is said, in the year 219.
http://www.strippedpixel.com/guan-yu-chinese-god/
It has been known that folks who worship him would develop a violent temper.
Not shocking really.