Bon Odori: Festival meant to honour ancestors now beloved cultural showcase in Penang
Obon is a Japanese memorial service held to honour the souls of departed ancestors who were believed to have returned home during that period.
Interestingly, this overlapped with the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival's main day to pray to the deceased with the same belief that spirits of their ancestors returned home during that period.
The earliest record of Obon being practiced to welcome ancestors' souls with prayers and visiting them was dated 606 by the Empress Suiko (r. 593–628).
Over the years, other influences were introduced such as the chanting of nenbutsu prayers and furyū, a lively folk dance, that formed the basis for the Bon Odori festivals that is being held today.
Performances during Bon Odori 2024 in Penang. — Picture via Facebook/ Penang Global Tourism
The folk dances performed during Bon Odori were passed down from long ago to coordinate with the lyrics that were initially to receive spirits and send them off again.
Now, in modern times, the festival has become a cultural celebration to liven up summers in Japan while the religious aspect was mostly lost.
Since most of the choreography of the dances were based around yukata, a light cotton kimono Japanese wear during summer, most participants and attendees will be dressed in their best yukata.
Though the dances were the main feature of the festival, other activities are also held such as games stalls and an array of food stalls.
Bon Odori in Penang
While Bon Odori festivals are held over two to four nights or even up to six weeks in different cities in Japan, the festival is held for one night in Penang.
Bon Odori was first introduced in Penang back in the early 1990s when it was organised by the Japanese community living in Penang and by Japanese companies in the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone.
The festival started small, only held within the Penang Japanese School grounds or in company premises for Japanese expatriates living here to stay connected to their cultural traditions.
According to tourism committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, as interest in Japanese culture grew, Bon Odori was then held at Padang Kota Lama in the early 2000s.
'Bon Odori evolved into a state-supported event, co-organised by the Consulate-General of Japan, the Penang state government, Penang Global Tourism, and the Penang Japanese Association,' he said.
Today, the Bon Odori festival has become one of Penang's main cultural highlights that attracted visitors from other states and tourists alike. Bon Odori 2025
This year, Penang Bon Odori will be held on July 19 at Padang Kota Lama from 5pm onwards.
Seen in this picture is a snapshot of Bon Odori 2024 in Penang. The celebration has now become a regular feature in Penang. — Picture via Facebook/ Penang Global Tourism
Wong said the theme this year — 'Akari Bon Odori' (festival of lights)— reflects the state's hope to illuminate the night sky as well as shine a light on the spirit of community, friendship and togetherness.
As with each annual Bon Odori festival, there will be traditional Bon Odori dances on the main stage where everyone is encouraged to participate as they converge on the field.
'There will also be taiko drum performances and martial arts demonstrations,' he said.
There will be booths on another section of the field with cultural workshops such as calligraphy, origami and dressing up in yukatas.
Festival games, cultural exhibitions and performances will be held by university troupes from Japan while Japanese street food will be available at the food stalls along with Penang's own street food.
Wong said the night of festivities will culminate in a fireworks display at the end of the evening.
Crowds at the cultural booths during Bon Odori 2024. — Picture by Opalyn Mok.
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Lively taiko (drum) performances are an important part of Bon Odori. — Photos: CHAN TAK KONG/The Star Some 50,000 visitors thronged the 49th Bon Odori Festival, which was held for the first time in Bandar Sunway, Selangor. 'In Malaysia, the Bon Odori Festival started in 1977 and has grown into an annual occasion which is one of the largest Japanese cultural events here, and possibly one of the largest Bon Odori festivals outside Japan,' said Sunway Malls chief executive officer HC Chan at a press conference. Performers encouraging visitors to get into the Bon Odori spirit. 'Bon Odori is a popular summer festival in Japan involving dancing and music.' Bon Odori took place at the open carpark area opposite Sunway Resort Hotel. Also present were Selangor local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim and Japanese ambassador to Malaysia Shikata Noriyuki. Crowds thronging the venue which had some 150 vendors selling Japanese as well as local food and other goods. Ng said the Bon Odori festival could forge connections between communities across borders by bringing together Malaysians, Japanese expatriates, tourists, students and families. 'A total of 110,018 Japanese tourists visited Selangor in 2023 and the number increased to 132,526 last year. 'This growth not only shows the strong bilateral relationship between Selangor and Japan, but it is also a sign that Selangor is one of the favourite destinations of Japanese tourists,' Ng said. (From left) Ng, Noriyuki and Chan launching the 49th Bon Odori Festival at Bandar Sunway in Selangor. Among the highlights at the festival was 150 booths selling Japanese and local street food, and performances. Noriyuki said the festival was a very special occasion for Japanese people. He said he had noticed a growing interest in Japanese culture among Malaysians. 'The same goes for Japanese people's interest in Malaysia. Visitors dressed for the occasion in colourful yukata. 'The Malaysian pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka is very popular,' he said. The festival was jointly organised by Sunway City Kuala Lumpur, Japan Club of Kuala Lumpur, Japanese Embassy in Malaysia, Sunway Group and Japanese School of Kuala Lumpur.
