The three eminent gods most worshipped in Penang Chinese culture are Tua Pek Kong, Kuan Yin Ma, and Na Tuk Kong. Each are revered for their respective functions, the first being the God of Prosperity, the second the Goddess of Mercy, and the third, also known as Datuk Keramat, being a local guardian spirit unique to the Chinese diaspora in Nanyang. Each god is bestowed his or her principal shrine, but collectively, they dot the homes, hillsides, altars, and temples of this island. Unbeknownst to worshippers, the eminent gods live and roam freely among mortals. Presently, they rest beneath a tree on a beach in Batu Maung, a fishing village in the southern region of Penang island. The news of Ma Chor’s arrival from Meizhou Island in China had caused a stir, and Keramat was talking excitedly about the delicate transporting of the Goddess of the Sea, known also as Mazu or Matsu. “But she’s not coming to Penang?” Kuan Yin asked. “No, she’s not popular here. We are,” Keramat said. “She’s at Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur today. Then off to Melaka and Singapore next week.” Kuan Yin was silent, her eyes downcast. In statues her eyes were always closed, but in real life, it was often hard to tell what was what. “I was hoping she would make a pit stop here.” “Why? Anything to ask her?” “Not particularly,” she said. “I suppose she is no longer as revered as she was in the old days. Our inhabitants are less dependent on the seas now.” “Well…” Keramat said, “we’re still an island-state though. There are always jet ski accidents and Penang Bridge suicides.” At the mention of the bridge, Kuan Yin shivered though the air was humid and warm. In the horizon, the sun was low and soon it would melt into the sea like a giant egg yolk. A fisherman or two were hauling their boats and nets to shore, oblivious to the three sitting by a boulder. Pek Kong, however, was unmoving against the rock. The hot sea breeze had induced him into a dream-like state, and his eyes were closed underneath his bushy white eyebrows. The wrinkles and age spots showed clearly on his face, and on his forehead he wore a frown. Suddenly, he stirred, looking straight at Kuan Yin. “My Little Lotus,” he said. “I know why you want to see Ma Chor so badly. It’s because of the boy, Peng, isn’t it?” Find out more about Wan Phing's work here. Want to read the whole story? Click on the button below to get a copy of the anthology!
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