The ritual and practice of sending off the king's boat for sustainable connection between people and the ocean

China, Malaysia
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Sending off the King's Boat is a ritual widely spread in the coastal areas of southern Fujian, China and Malacca, Malaysia, to ward off disasters and pray for peace. It has both common and local characteristics. In southern Fujian, it is mostly held every three or four years when the northeast monsoon starts in autumn; in Malacca, it is mostly held on auspicious days in the dry season of the leap year of the lunar calendar. The ritual activities last for several days or even months. This heritage project is rooted in the folk custom of the coastal community to worship the "King of Patrolling on Behalf of Heaven" (abbreviated as "King") together. Local people believe that the King is appointed by heaven to patrol various places on earth regularly, save the sick and the needy, and prevent disasters; while the souls of the victims of the sea (respectfully called "good brothers") wander around and have nowhere to go. Therefore, people regularly hold ceremonies to welcome and send off the King, inviting the King to patrol the four borders of the community and take away the "good brothers". At that time, people will welcome the King to the palace temple or ancestral hall at the seaside and beach, and offer sacrifices to the King; set up lantern poles to summon the "good brothers" and save the "good brothers". When sending off the king, people invite him to board the carefully prepared king boat (wooden or paper boat model), and the people lead the way with various art formations, surrounding the king to inspect the four borders of the community, and invite "good brothers" to board the king boat along the way, and go out to sea with the king to continue the mission of patrolling on behalf of the heaven, helping the people and ensuring peace in all directions. Therefore, the project is called "doing good deeds" by the local community. This heritage project embodies the sustainable connection between people and the ocean, and is regarded as a common heritage by the relevant communities in China and Malaysia. It has long played a role in consolidating community connections and enhancing social cohesion, witnessing the cultural dialogue along the "Maritime Silk Road", and embodying cultural creativity in line with sustainable development.

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