Report on Research Fieldwork for the “Johor Chingay” Project

The Chingay Research Project is led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Bak Jia How under a formal Research Collaboration Agreement between Southern University College (SUC) and the National Heritage Board (NHB) of Singapore, with support from the Department of National Heritage (JWN) of Malaysia. The project aims to document the origins, historical sources, and heritage value of the Chingay tradition in both countries.

Ms Lah Wan Yee, Head of the Department of Journalism and Communication Studies at Southern University College, was appointed as an enumerator for the project. From 6 to 10 March 2026, she led students from the Bachelor of Communication (Honours) (Mass Communication) programme to document the Johor Chingay 2026 celebrations. The team conducted extensive photography and video recording of festival activities, cultural performances, and ritual practices associated with the Chingay procession.

Under Ms Lah’s supervision, students also conducted and documented professional interviews with key stakeholders, including community leaders, organizers, participants, and representatives from cultural associations. The collected materials will contribute to the production of a documentary on Johor Chingay, which will support the research project and contribute to safeguard this living heritage, which is in the process of seeking inscription on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Several students who are currently undergoing industrial internship placements with media organizations also participated in the documentation, providing professional media coverage of the event.

The research team extends sincere appreciation to YB Teo Nie Ching, Deputy Minister of Communications, YB Liow Cai Tung, YB Tuan Chen Kah Eng, YB Ling Tian Soon, Mr. Xu Yong Jian, President of Johor Bahru Chinese Association, as well as community representatives and interviewees for their valuable support and contributions.

研究项目 “新加坡与马来西亚多元文化妆艺大游行/柔佛古庙游神” 由莫家浩助理教授领导，在南方大学学院与新加坡国家文物局签署的正式研究合作协议框架下开展，并获得马来西亚国家遗产局的支持。该项目旨在记录和研究新加坡与马来西亚妆艺大游行/柔佛古庙游神传统的历史起源、文献来源及其文化遗产价值。

南方大学学院新闻与传播学系主任林婉仪高级讲师受委为该研究项目的调查员。2026年3月6日至10日期间，她带领着大众传播（荣誉）学士课程的学生，对 2026年柔佛古庙游神 活动进行系统性记录与资料收集。团队通过摄影与录像的方式，全面记录节庆活动、文化表演以及与游神仪式相关的传统习俗。

在林婉仪主任的指导下，学生们对关键利益相关者进行了专业访谈并完成记录，访谈对象涵盖了社区领袖、活动主办方、参与者及各文化团体代表。所收集的资料将用于制作一部柔佛古庙游神纪录片。该片不仅将支持本研究项目，亦将作为保护这项“活态遗产”的重要举措，助力其申报联合国教科文组织（UNESCO）非物质文化遗产名录。

此外，数名目前正在媒体机构进行 实习 的学生也参与了此次纪录工作，并在其所属媒体单位的支持下，为活动提供专业媒体记录与报道。

研究团队谨此向通讯部副部长YB 张念群、YB廖彩彤、YB曾笳恩、YB 林添顺、新山中华公会会长徐永健，以及各社团代表与受访者致以诚挚感谢，感谢他们拨冗接受访问并提供宝贵支持，使本次研究与纪录工作得以顺利完成。