Drunken Dragon Dance in Macau

When I was a kid, I wet myself while Chinatown New Year parade. That’s right—I peed in my pants. And I tried to play it off that I spilled some water on my pants., But everyone knew I pissed all over myself. 

I had memories of that time as I got spat at with beer at the Drunken Dragon Lion Dance. Found only in Macau, the performers proceed to consume alcohol and spit it all over the place. If you get hit, when then it’s kind of like Sea World. It’s kind of funny with all these males wobbling over the place, spewing liquid. It all happens on the first week in May, celebrating the Feast of Buddha.

The story goes that a man gathered up strength to defeat an evil dragon by consuming copious amounts of booze. And wouldn’t you know it, he succeeded. Or else, we really wouldn’t be celebrating it, now would we? 

Young and old, the ceremony was riotous fun as onlookers see the performers steadily becoming more intoxicated.

I tried to avoid the spit as much as possible.

This happens outside the Red Market—a large red building houses market booths. Live animals are also sold on certain days. During the festival, jai—rice with an assortment of vegetables—is handed out for prosperity. People were lined up full around the large building, waiting for the giveaway.

 Here's the preparation of the jai giveaway.

The same day on Coloane Island there’s the Taoist Tam Kong Festival. Locals dress up in traditional customs and parade through the old village. There’ll you’ll also find the popular Egg Tarts—Macau has its own special spin on the Portugeuse egg custard

The most popular and always sold out are from Lord Stow's Bakery on Coloane Island.