MALACCA: The air in the quaint Portuguese Settlement here was filled with shrieks and sounds of laughter as residents engaged in a 'water war' to mark their unique 'Intrudu' or Water Festival yesterday.
As early as 9am, residents both young and old began gathering in the village streets clad in shirts, shorts and slippers, including some who were in their swimwear.
Most were 'armed' with pails, balloons filled with water, water guns and hoses connected to direct water sources, and given license to douse and splash anyone in sight, with no one spared a good drenching.
Portuguese Culture and Heritage Activist Martin Theseira said the century-old Intrudu is a significant event among the Portuguese community to prepare for Lent (a religious observance of fasting and prayer in the liturgical calendar).
"While many (think) the Intrudu is a cleansing ritual, this is actually wrong. It is an occasion to renew friendships and make up with those you have quarrelled with," he said.
Martin added that in days gone by, the coastal Portuguese community would splash seawater at each other. Today, due to land reclamation and modern plumbing, residents use tap water, as well as having water brought in by Syarikat Air Melaka Berhad tanks.
"Today is also known as dominggu gordo (Fat Sunday), meaning that it will be the last day of merrymaking and enjoyment before the Lent season.
"Intrudu, which means ‘introduction to a new season’, is usually celebrated on the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent). Lent is a season of prayer, penance, and sacrifice, saying good things and doing charity.
"This is to spiritually prepare us for the grand feast of Easter Sunday (a festival to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus).
"It also marks a seven-week preparation to Easter after the celebration of the birth of Jesus (Christmas Day)," he added.
Martin said that another feature of 'Intrudu' is that the younger people are expected to offer a shot of brandy or wine to the elderly, whom they splash as a sign of respect.
"But this tradition is slowly being forgotten, as many youth are here just for the fun of dousing each other, without knowing the meaning of Intrudu and the significance of offering a drink to the elderly," he said.
The New Straits Times team drove past the crowd during their merrymaking and was not spared from being splashed with water.
One resident even mischievously pretended to be washing the car, and gave a ‘thumbs up’ gesture after giving the vehicle a good soaking.
Others continued splashing passing cars and passersby.
Joseph Sta Maria, MBMB councillor – and the only Portuguese appointed to the MBMB – said the yearly festival is unique, as it helps to attract not only the local Portuguese community, but also foreign tourists.
"We witness relatives coming from all over the country, and even overseas, returning to the bastion of the Malacca Portuguese community, the Portuguese Settlement, to partake in this traditional festival.
"It is a carnival-like atmosphere at the Portuguese Settlement, and those who miss it this year should come next year to witness this unique festival," said Joseph.
Vietnamese tourist, Huyen Do, 36, who was on holiday here with three Vietnamese friends, said it was her first time witnessing such an event.
"I am very surprised. I am on a two-day trip to Malacca and happened to drop by the Portuguese Settlement, not knowing that there's a water festival going on here.
"I really enjoyed seeing everybody having fun," she said as she posed for a photograph with a resident carrying a water gun.
German tourist Natalie, 49, in Malacca for three days, said she was told to visit the water festival when she came to sightsee at the settlement the day before.
"One resident told us to come back to witness the water festival today, and so we did. It is really fun, and it is almost similar to the one in Thailand," said Natalie, who was on holiday with her husband, Chres, 53.