Chinese New Year
A time for family reunions, the lion dance, firecrackers, mahjong, mandarin
oranges and giving/collecting ang pow, the Lunar New Year - or Chinese New Year
(CNY), as it is more commonly known in Malaysia - highlights some of the most
fascinating aspects of Chinese tradition and rituals.
Reunion dinner on the eve
of CNY, Its origin can be traced back thousands of years, to the legend which
tells of a fearsome mythological creature known as Nian that is said to have
once terrorised China, devouring
people on the eve of CNY. To ward off the beast, red-paper couplets were pasted
on doors, firecrackers were set off throughout the night, and huge fires were
lit.
Today, the prevalence of the colour red, and firecrackers, form part of the
CNY celebrations throughout the world, as a part of custom and tradition.
The festival, which once also marked the beginning of spring in China, begins on
the first day of the lunar calendar year, the first day of the new moon, and
ends on the 15th day, known as Chap Goh Meh, the last day of the full moon.
However, celebrations are normally confined to the first few days and the last
day. In Malaysia, the first two days are gazetted as public holidays.
Preparations tend to begin a month prior to the New Year, when people start
buying new clothes, decorations and foodstuff; houses are cleaned from top to
bottom, then decorated with red lanterns; banners; plastic or paper firecrackers
(the real item is prohibited); panels inscribed with calligraphic characters
bearing themes of happiness, wealth and longevity; and greeting cards received
from well-wishers.
Pomelos or 'loke yau' in Cantonese is a popular gift as the word 'yau' sounds
like the Cantonese word for abundance. The eve of CNY is probably the high point
of the celebration as it is on this day that family members from far and near
will return home for the reunion dinner, to rekindle family ties and enjoy the
sumptuously prepared meals. Dinner is usually made up of seafood and dumplings;
delicacies include waxed duck, prawns, braised dried oysters, scallops and
“prosperity vegetables”.
After the reunion feast, entire families will try to stay up all night in
adherence to shou sui, a practice which is believed to bring one's parents
longevity. To while away the hours, it is common for many to gamble; the sound
of mahjong chips clattering against each other throughout the night is not
uncommon.
At the stroke of midnight, the New Year is ushered in. Firecrackers and
fireworks are prohibited, so the requisite din to herald the New Year falls upon
human voices and song, and modern “improvisations” such as the recorded sounds
of exploding firecrackers.
undo Malaysian Festivals