Observed during the ninth lunar month, the Jiu Wang Da Di Festival honours the Nine Emperor Gods, celestial deities believed to bring health, balance, and fortune.
In Sabah, devotees dress in white or yellow, offer prayers and fruit, and observe a strict nine-day vegetarian fast to purify body and mind. Many eateries even switch to vegetarian food, marked by yellow flags.
The festival begins and ends by the sea, as the gods are believed to arrive and depart through water. Devotees gather along the shore to light incense and lanterns, welcoming and later sending off the deities.
Rain often accompanies the event. Not seen as bad luck, but as a sign of heavenly cleansing. It’s said the skies open to purify the earth as the gods descend.
The Nine Emperor Gods Festival is more than just a religious celebration; it’s a cultural expression of devotion, discipline, and community. From the rhythmic beating of drums to the crack of the whip and the rain-soaked parades, every element reflects the harmony between heaven, earth, and humanity.
In mystery, no one has ever seen the true faces of the Nine Emperor Gods. They are celestial beings which are manifestations of the Nine Stars of the Northern Dipper. Not earthly gods in human form.
In temples, they are represented by golden scrolls, nine lamps, or empty thrones draped in yellow cloth, symbolizing their unseen but powerful presence.
Their mystery reflects the essence of Taoist belief: faith is not about seeing, but believing an understanding that divinity exists beyond the visible world.
At first glance, the parade may look like many groups doing the same thing. But each palanquin represents a different celestial emperor.
During the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, devotees believe that the Nine Emperors descend from heaven to bless the earth. Each deity is carried in its own elaborately decorated palanquin, usually gold or yellow, adorned with calligraphy, flags, and lights. Some temples also include one for Dou Mu Yuan Jun (斗母元君), the Mother Goddess of the Nine Emperors.
In places like Kota Kinabalu, several Taoist temples take part, each bringing their own deity, musicians, and devotees. The rhythmic sway and movement of each palanquin which is an act of devotion and spiritual expression, reflecting the tradition of each temple.
One of the most intense sights is the trance. Spirit mediums (Tang Ki or Tonji) enter an altered state believed to allow the gods or their attendants to temporarily possess them.Through the medium, the deities can convey divine messages or blessings, cleanse negative energies, protect devotees and the community and perform sacred rituals beyond human ability
In that moment, the medium becomes a bridge between heaven and earth.
The procession take is along about a 10km walk that starts from the town Padang, heading towards Lintas, to Foh Sang and end in Damai. However, due to the stops for prayers, the parade itself can last anywhere from 4 to 6 hours.
