Chinese New Year
Festivals are religion or cultural celebrations. They have been celebrated for thousands of years followers of certain religion or ethnic group. In Malaysia, due to its multicultural society, festivals are celebrated almost every month. Today I am going to talk about Chinese New year Celebration.
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.
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.
Preparing for celebrations
Just like other festivals, 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, plastic or paper firecrackers, panels decorated with calligraphic characters bearing themes of happiness, wealth and longevity; and greeting cards received from friends and relatives.
The eve of Chinese New Year is celebrate with family members from far and near will return home for the reunion dinner, to revive family ties and enjoy the spectacularly 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 observance 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 necessary din to herald the New Year falls upon human voices and song, and modern “improvisations” such as the recorded sounds of exploding firecrackers.
With daylight, homes again become a buzz of activity. Ceremonial candles are lit, incense burned, new clothes (red is the custom) are put on.
As is common place among Malaysians during religious/cultural festivities, Chinese families invite their relatives and friends over to their homes during CNY. Guests arrive bearing gifts of mandarin oranges, which symbolizes gold or wealth.
It is also customary for married couples to give children and unmarried adults money inserted in red packets known as ang pow, as a gesture to mean that the recipient will enjoy a fruitful and wealthy life. I enjoy myself on this magnificent celebration.
