For local Catholics, the feast day is the most important event after Christmas and Easter. For four days, the city’s Portuguese Eurasian community celebrates the occasion, which includes the blessing of the boats by the bishop. Food and games end the festival, which reminds the community of its Catholic faith.
Malacca (AsiaNews) – As it does every year, Malacca City celebrated again the Festa San Pedro. For four days ending on 29 June, feast day of St Peter, people enjoyed food, songs, dances and religious processions. The city is the capital of the eponymous state, about 150 km south of Kuala Lumpur.
Portuguese Eurasians venerate Saint Peter since Portuguese ships first arrived in the 16th century. Saint Peter is the patron saint of fisher folks.
The hub of the festival is Portuguese Square, on the seafront, which is all decked out for four days. For the Portuguese Eurasians, the feast day is the main event after Christmas and Easter. Even those living abroad try to come home for the occasion.
The highlight of the festival was the Triduum Prayer in honour of St Peter, which is followed by the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and the blessing of fishing boats by the prelate of the Malacca-Johor Diocese, Bishop Bernard Paul.
Fishermen and boat owners spent much time repairing, refurbishing and repainting their boats, with the most beautifully adorned boats winning prizes.
On the eve of the feast day, a life-size statue of the patron saint was carried in procession with girls dressed in white casting flower petals along the path of the procession.
During the four-day event included traditional Portuguese dances, a food fair with Portuguese delicacies and competitions such as sea-sports.
“The annual celebration of the Feast Day is a reminder to the community of their origin and their Catholic faith,” said Gerard Pereira, a long-time resident of Portuguese Square.
Speaking to AsiaNews, he explained that the traditional cultural activities, including the dances and Portuguese music, help to keep the community’s centuries-old heritage alive. The cultural traditions and the Catholic fervour of the community helps to keep the clan and their families together.
Catholicism first came to the Malay peninsula with the Portuguese in 1511. The latter ruled Malacca till 1641 when the Dutch conquered the city and introduced Protestantism. Eventually, they too would be ousted by the British.
Strategically located in the East-West trade route, Malacca City benefitted from its proximity to the island of Sumatra, becoming a hub for traders from India, China, and Europe.