Chinese
New Year is celebrated by the Chinese society every year to welcome their New
Year, in adherence to the lunar calendar.
The
best part about Malaysian multi-cultural society is that, despite of all cultural
differences, language barriers and the unfamiliarity of each other’s religious
practices and cultural traits, the differences have built curiosity among us
instead of criticism or disrespect for most of us.
Upon
filling the answers to the curiosity of what the celebration of Chinese New
Year was like approximately 5 decades ago, a very close and personal friend and
colleague to my mother,Catherine Wong was happy to
share her memories on the matter and some of her personal experiences in Chinese
New Year festivity during her childhood.
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| Catherine Wong (left) with Fatimah Khalid- Fakhriah's mother (right) |
Going
back to the era in the 60’s, Wong highlighted one of the major
differences between Chinese New Year celebrations in the past with the present.
“50 years ago, we were allowed to burn fire
crackers openly, but not now.”
“This
really made a big difference to the celebration because I can still remember the aftermath of the fire
crackers – red pieces of paper scattered on the road in front of our shop
house.
“Red
fire crackers were burnt to welcome the New Year with a bang!” she said, revealing
a tad of emotions about the changes in legislation as firecrackers were banned
after 1972.
Wong was born and raised along with her 5 other siblings in Raub, Pahang
by her parents who are now both deceased.
From
what she can recall about Chinese New Year during her childhood, her family,
relatives, family friends, and classmates would visit each other, visit the
temple, exchange ang-pows, and gamble.
“My
friends and I would go from Raub town to the neighboring villages to visit
other classmates.”
“Another
activity we enjoyed was gambling with family and friends where there will
always be a lot of joking and laughter during these sessions,” she added with a
chuckle.
Wong's favorite part about celebrating Chinese New Year, throughout her 50
years, would be the preparation, particularly when she gets to go shopping.
“Celebrating
Chinese New Year gives me the chance to shop and I really enjoyed shopping for
clothing for myself and the family, household linens and decorations, festive
gifts and etc.”
“I
also enjoyed the atmosphere in shopping malls and supermarkets as it gives me a
sense of joy to see the hustle and bustle of people preparing to welcome a new
year with new hopes and expectations.”
Currently
residing in Subang, Selangor with her husband and her two sons, she celebrates Chinese New Year with her remaining family members and close friends among whom
only some traditions are still kept and practiced.
“Nowadays
I do not follow the tradition as strictly as before, such as offering prayers
at home and in the temple as my focus is more on gathering and meeting up with
relatives and friends.”
Comparing
traditions practiced in the past, she added, “In the past we have to observe
the date and time for prayers and welcoming the God of Prosperity.”
“I
still follow the tradition of having reunion dinner with my husband’s family.
“For
the Chinese, once we are married we follow the husband’s family.”
“However,
we have the reunion dinner at a restaurant instead of cooking at home,” said
Wong.
“I feel that celebration in the past was more
elaborate, while the celebration for me now, is much simpler.”
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| Trea the moments of Chinese New Year. |
Tradition
was clearly adhered to more strictly back then.
For
the elderly who had celebrated Chinese New Year celebration in the past, they would
fondly recall the loud and joyous celebration that is stark contrast to how it
is celebrated now.
To
her, the real meaning of Chinese New Year is to “meet up with family members
and old friends, chatting about old times and happenings in our life as it is a
time for sharing.”
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