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THE CULTURE OF SENDING SKY LANTERNS IN KAMPAR

Kampar is a town in the state of Perak, Malaysia. Founded in 1887, the town lies
within the Kinta Valley and located in the newly created Kampar District, an area rich with
tin reserves. It was a tin mining town which boomed during the height of the tin mining
industry. Kampar is also a focal point for tertiary education after Universiti Tunku Abdul
Rahman (UTAR) and Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TARC) was established
there in 2003. With an average combination of 20 000 students, the undergraduates are the
major target market of almost all the business institutions which operates in Kampar,
specifically in New Town.

Kampar has also evolved into a hub for various cultures brought together by students
from different parts of Malaysia. UTAR students, whom mostly hail from Chinese
community, can be seen engaging in the activity of flying sky lantern throughout the year.
A lantern is a portable lighting mechanism or affixed light fixture used to light wide areas.
Decorative lanterns exist in a wide range of designs. In Malaysia, the lanterns hang from
buildings, while others are placed on or just above the ground. Modern varieties often place
an electric light in a decorative glass case.

Mrs Leong Mee May, 63, the person-in-charge of Kampar Old Chinese Temple, stated
that ancient Chinese captured fireflies in transparent or semi-transparent containers and used
them as lanterns to illuminate the path during journeys. She also added that, Raise the Red
Lantern, a Chinese film that prominently features lanterns as motif, illustrates the deep
connection between lanterns and Chinese customs. According to Mrs Leong, lanterns are
used in many Chinese festivals. During the Hungry Ghost Festival, lotus shaped lanterns are

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set afloat in rivers and seas as a symbolic guide to the lost souls of forgotten ancestors in the
afterlife. During the Lantern Festival which falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month,
lantern display is a common sight throughout China. In Chinese festivals, the kong ming
lanterns (sky lanterns) can be seen floating high in the sky. It is a small hot air balloon made
of paper, with an opening at the bottom where a small fire is suspended.

This culture is also practiced by the Malaysian Chinese society. In Kampar, it is a

norm to see the students of UTAR engaging in this tradition all year round. The culture of
sending kong ming lantern into the sky during festive seasons has been modified by UTAR
students by sending lanterns into the sky almost every week. For this reason, some of the
shops in New Town area tend to sell lanterns throughout the year. According to Mr Ah Tong,
45, owner of Koi Lam Enterprise in New Town, Kampar, an average of eight people buy the
RM 3.00 lantern per week. Most of them are students from UTAR and KTAR. However, the
peak sales for the lanterns are on Chinese festive seasons, first week of semester and exam
periods. An average of 300 lanterns was being sold during the exam period, he said. There are
also Indian students who buy the lanterns, he added. Mr Ah Tong also claims that the students
prefer to fly the lantern at Westlake side in Kampar as the scenery is beautiful.

What is the reason behind the modernization of the culture of sending lantern into the
air? Why are the students showing so much interest in sending them into the air? I send
lanterns into the air almost every semester. I have faith that by writing my wishes on the
lantern and sending them into the sky would bring me good luck, Khoo Jing Bei, a UTAR
student said while buying the lantern from the shop. However, I believe that if the lantern
bursts in front of my eyes, then it may bring me bad luck. I have never experienced that so
far, added the 22 years old, Faculty of Science student.

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In Kampar, many other UTAR students send lantern believing that it may bring luck
for them to successfully pass the semester. Other than that, students also send lantern for
special occasions in their life, for example, before proposing their love to someone or to
overcome a problem. Some students even send lanterns during petty celebrations such as
BBQ party or even on their friends birthday. Lee Su Ying, 25, a Kampar resident, happened
to send lantern into the air near Westlake said that she is going to open a new bridal business
soon in New Town. The beauty consultant was there to send the lantern with the hope for a
good business.

In ancient Chinese period, the lantern was only flown to mark the celebration of
festivals. However, the Kampar community, especially the students, modified the culture
according to their own benefits and needs. Sending lanterns in the air may not have
implications on someones luck but it is belief that gets our life going.

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PHOTOGRAPH 1.0

Photograph 1.0 Leong Mee May, 63, incharge of the Kampar Chinese Old Temple

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PHOTOGRAPH 2.0

Photograph 2.0 Students buying lantern from Mr. Ah Tang, 45, owner of Koi Lam
Enterprise

PHOTOGRAPH 3.0

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Photograph 3.0 Lee Su Ying (left), 25, beauty consultant and her friend Beh Cheah Ying, 22,
(right) is writing their wish on the lantern before sending it.

PHOTOGRAPH 4.0

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Photograph 4.0 Beh Cheah Ying is lighting up the lantern