From a young age, my dad has brought me to witness the 9 Emperor Gods Festival Procession in Ipoh. I was actually rather frightened as I heard tales of the mediums who were in trance chasing after spectators who were unclean or were possessed with some evil spirits. That is why ladies who are in confinement and those who are having their periods should not be present.But as far as I can recall, the mediums only used one or two skewers to pierce through their cheeks and maybe hooks to attach to their bodies. I do not have any recollection of any of the Malaysian mediums with as many instruments pierced through their cheeks like the ones in Phuket, Thailand.
It really is scary but I don't think the mediums feel anything as they are in a trance. Their bodies are being taken over by the deities and when they awaken their wounds would heal without any scarring. I guess that is why there are so many believers!
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