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Final comment
Whilst my aim here has been to note the formal nature of these proceedings and to explain some of the arrangements made behind the scenes, it is also essential to mention how this time-honoured framework of ceremonial and protocol coexisted with the equally pronounced informality and relaxed behaviour of those present.
This was especially the case in the long-settled villages of the New Territories. Rural Chinese, generally the most courteous and assured of men in their social relationships, through long practice had acquired the precious gift of being able to combine these qualities at formal gatherings and in their daily lives.
Like the lion, unicorn and pei yau dancers, this element relieves the tedium which such occasions otherwise create for those concerned: for, in truth, both participants and audiences can go through all the motions almost without thought, so deeply is the procedure engrained in the sub-conscious by countless repetition. But this in itself is part of the culture. It would truly be fascinating to be able to trace opening ceremonies back in time!
Glossary (Cantonese)
Chan Min-yue ...
fa pai 花牌
Lo Sheung-fu (Lo Tsz-tsun) (£7£)
pai lau 牌樓
pei yuu 貔貅
ta chiu/ching chiu kin chiu/chau yan kin chiu EMBLEM 打醮/清醮建醮酬恩建醮