2024 Birthday Celebration of Tai Po Ting Kok Village Hip Tin Kung

In Ting Kok Village, Hong Kong, the 13th day of the first lunar month is an important festival known as the Birthday of Kwan Tei. On this day, villagers hold a series of rituals and activities to celebrate the birth of this deity.
Kwan Tei refers to Guan Yu, who is revered as a symbol of martial arts and loyalty in Chinese culture and is worshipped as one of the protective deities. On the Birthday of Kwan Tei, villagers carry a roasted pig, led by a Kirin (a traditional lion dance figure), and parade through the performance stage at the village office before proceeding to a temporary altar to offer prayers and offerings to Kwan Tei and other deities.
Following the rituals, village representatives lead the villagers in offering incense to the deities, praying for blessings and protection. Once the incense offering ceremony is completed, the Kirin leads the villagers back to the village office, where the roasted pig is distributed to the villagers. Additionally, the villagers can continue to enjoy Cantonese opera performances, which is a traditional theatrical form often staged during festivals and celebrations in Hong Kong.
These traditional activities not only showcase the cultural heritage and religious beliefs of Ting Kok Village but also provide an opportunity for the villagers to come together in celebration. Such festive events enrich community life and promote community cohesion and interaction.
In summary, the Birthday of Kwan Tei in Ting Kok Village is a traditional festival where villagers participate in various rituals and activities including parades, offerings, incense burning, and enjoying roasted pig, as well as Cantonese opera performances. These activities demonstrate the villagers' reverence for religious beliefs and cultural traditions, creating a joyful and united atmosphere within the community.