Did You Know: Melaka Celebrates Its Own Version Of 'Songkran' Every Year
The festival is celebrated on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday.
By Tamara Jayne — 15 Apr 2024, 03:56 PM
We know of Songkran, Thailand's popular water festival, during which the nation splashes each other with water to celebrate the Thai new year.
But did you know Melaka has its own similar version too?
Intrudu, which means introduction to a new season, is a water festival celebrated by the Melakan Portuguese community.
While Songkran symbolises washing away bad luck and negativity from the past year, Intrudu symbolises washing away of sins in preparation for Lent, a religious observance of fasting and prayer in the liturgical calendar.
It's also in preparation for the grand feast on Easter Sunday, a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus.
Armed with pails of water, water guns, hoses, and water balloons, participants wait in anticipation to splash passersby along the path of the Portuguese Settlement in Ujong Pasir
Water drums are lined up along the streets, and everyone is fair game — residents and tourists alike.
The carnival-like festival is celebrated by the Portuguese community worldwide, and it usually takes place on the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday (first day of Lent).
Participants traditionally wear light clothing, and sometimes even swimwear, because getting drenched is pretty much guaranteed!
Another feature of Intrudu is that the youngsters are expected to offer a shot of brandy or wine to the elderly as a sign of respect after "blessing" them with splashes of water.
This lively tradition continues until afternoon, but it doesn't just end there.
In the evening, a vibrant parade called 'Branyo Rudia' winds through the village, featuring traditional music and dance
More than just a water fight; it's a joyous celebration of community, forgiveness, and renewal.
In the past, coastal Portuguese communities splashed seawater at each other, as mentioned by Martin Theseira, a Portuguese culture and heritage activist, in an article by the New Straits Times.
But due to land reclamation and modern plumbing, residents now use tap water and water brought in by Syarikat Air Melaka Berhad tanks instead.
Besides Melaka, the water festival is also observed in places like Macau, Goa, Papua New Guinea, and Flores where sizeable Portuguese-Eurasian communities reside.
