Remembering Chinese New Year

When you are getting on in age, reminders abound of how old you are.

Yesterday was a case in point. I was glancing through the New Straits Times and came upon this article - A Nyonya Reunion, complete with a photograph of a typical spread served at the all important reunion dinner on Chinese New Year eve. This was the very thing that I partake of in my formative years in good old Malacca. And so I was reminded of how long ago these dinners took place. By the same token it also showed how many years had been added to my age.

But they had been good times, for me personally, the Chinese New Year (CNY) celebrations of yesteryears.

I still remember the pre-New Year preparations. A few weeks before CNY it was "spring" cleaning and cake making time. Also visits were made to the tailors or shops for new "everything". The logic was to start the year with a “clean slate”. A fresh start, so to speak. And in this respect what better way to symbolically show this than by donning new shoes and clothes on CNY. One year, yours truly failed to get his new shoes and clothes and, afraid that he would be condemned to a bad start to the New Year, improvised by wearing the only thing is his wardrobe that was new, his briefs.

As the day drew nearer the activities turned to "beautifying" the house. It was code Red. Not because of any terrorist threat but putting up decorations without at least a strip of red on them would diminish the amount of luck that would flow into the house in the New Year. “Here a red, there a red, everywhere a red red”
(apologies to ole McDonald, the one who had a farm) - cushion covers, window curtains, decorative alter cloth, lanterns and all.

But the most important task was appeasing the "kitchen god". Chinese wisdom has it that Chou Kuan would leave for the Other world 2 days before CNY to report on the going-ons and behavior of the denizens of the house. So good behavior aside, it was imperative not to swear or curse around that time. Always practical, the Chinese ancestors, as an added insurance from getting a bad report card, concocted a cake ("lin ko") which looked appetizing but was rather sticky. This was "offered" to Chou Kuan before his trip. The gesture seemed innocent enough but in truth a bite of the cake will inhibit the normal movement of the jaws due to the "stickiness". The kitchen god would not be too happy to make a lengthy report, would he?

Come New Year's Eve, early morning was left for the last touches to the decorations and tidying up chores. These activities precede the worshipping of the deities and remembrance of the ancestors who had passed on. Offerings of food and cakes were placed on the alter table, where the images of the deities and the ancestors’ tablets were located. Right after this, it was a big “no no” to any further cleaning of the house, in particular, sweeping which was Taboo No. 1.The Chinese penchant for symbols be it a thing, an action or a sound will interpret this act of sweeping as ”sweeping luck away”.

A roll call of the family around this time will record all as present, those from outstation having arrived home usually on the previous day. Everyone would be at his or her civil best. To some this behavior was natural while for others it was uncharacteristic restraint. All the same, no arguments and no quarrels for a few days at least. “Suay saja” my Nyonya grandma would sternly utter at the slightest indication of a possible tiff. This is Taboo No.2.

And then it was time for the reunion dinner. If you are from a Straits Born Chinese heritage like me, the spread was simply mouth watering. The traditional fish, prawn (both usually steamed) and mushroom dishes aside, the Nyonya fare of Pongteh (pork stew), Chicken curry, Chap Chai (mixed vegetable), Timun Sambal (cucumber salad), etc. was served.

After dinner, it was relaxation time. Some will gamble or watch TV (black and white in my time) while other would just sit around to chat or gossip. The teenagers and the young adolescents in the family would of course be out of the house doing their own things. All the lights in the house would be turned on as less than bright does not bade well for good luck. And at about mid-night, it was time to welcome the New Year and another “god”. No prizes for guessing who the “god” was, the welcoming party all being Chinese. The God of Wealth or Choy San in Cantonese of course. A barrage of firecrackers being lighted would then interrupt the stillness of the night.

Finally the day had arrived, the 1st. day of the lunar calendar. It would be a joyous day visiting one another and being hosts to others, with the accompanying eating and drinking. It did not matter that you were diabetic or had high blood or with cholesterol level above the norm, you are exempted from dietary restraints on this day, your hosts would say. The children, dressed in their best, would also partake in the activities of the day but they would focus on the receipt of “Ang Pows” (red packets containing money) more than anything else. The atmosphere was one of festivities, what with the sounds of drums of the lion dance troupe and firing of crackers.

Of course before all this, the most important tradition, kneeling before our elders and serving tea to them would have to be undertaken. This act was to demonstrate respect for one’s elders, a cherished value to the Chinese. Sons and daughters would served to their parents, and in turn, if they were married, would be served by their own children. The grand children would of course served tea to both their parents and grand parents, a task they would not grumble about because its also the tradition for the elders to give away Ang Pows to the servers.

What about CNY celebrations in present times? The traditionalists would lament the “abridged” version being practiced now. But I have no problems with it. Some of the dos and don’ts really have been overtaken by time and become not relevant or not practical anymore to follow. After all if you strip away the spiritual things, the superstitions and the “my parents taught me this” things, CNY is basically about bonding, family bonding. So if how we celebrate Chinese New Year now contain elements of this need for families to get together and renew ties, it’s enough for me.

The Government of China projects 1.9 billion journeys will be undertaken this New Year in the country by its citizens. The family and I will also embark on our own, not exactly to balek kampung (the old folks have all passed on), but to PD.

Gong Xi Fa Chai to all Chinese Malaysians and a Happy Holidays to our fellow Malaysians.

Footnote: Chinese names in the Cantonese dialect courtesy of my better half and also some information on the celebrations