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Malacca became China’s first settlement outside the confines of the empire, thanks in large part to Zheng He’s expeditions there. Many Malaysians have Chinese ancestry, and the Peranakan, as they are called have adopted the area’s traditions — none more bizarre than the celebration of the Hindu festival called Datak Chachar. To give thanks to the gods for answered prayers, celebrants parade through the town with spikes and hooks piercing their skin. Malacca, Malaysia
Author: Michael Yamashita
© Michael Yamashita
Photo size: 33.4 Mpixels (95.6 MB uncompressed) - 7080x4720 pixels (23.6x15.7 in / 59.9x40 cm at 300 ppi)
Photo keywords: assistance, assisting, bizarre, celebrants, celebration, cultural, Datak Cachar, establishments, gas station, gods, Hindu Festival, hooks, hurt, hurting, landscape, Malacca, Malaka, Malaysia, pain, parade, people, Peranakan, pierce, piercing, prayers, Shell, shirtless, Silk Road, skin, spikes, Straits-born Chinese, topless, tradition, woman, Zheng He