Tan Leong Hoe and Ghey Kim Chui are 86 this year.
They recall what Chinese New Year was like when they
were growing up until the present day.
“It is one of the most important festivals that we
celebrate in our village,” said Ghey.
“There were only 11 houses in the whole village but everyone
was very close.
“You will hear the rooster crow early in the morning
on the first day of Chinese New Year.”
 |
| Winford's grandmother, Ghey. |
Almost every household has their own farm that time.
They cultivate chickens and ducks, and grow vegetables
for their own consumption.
On the first day of Chinese New year, they will
slaughter one chicken and a duck from their own farm for lunch.
They will also buy pork from the market because unlike
chickens and ducks, pigs are expensive to rear.
Chicken, duck and pork meat is a must on the first day
as they believe that it is very important to eat well on the first day of the
New Year in order begin the year well, prosperous and healthy.
No matter how poor they are, they will still save
money to get all these three types of meat.
“But we do not always have the opportunity to consume
chicken, duck or pork.
“The only time we have the chance to consume meat is
only during Chinese New Year.
“You can’t imagine how good the meat tasted back then
since we eat it only once in a year,” said Tan.
 |
| Winford's grandfather, Tan. |
“We do not buy new clothes for Chinese New Year.
“Instead we buy plain ones and make our own,” said
Ghey.
With little to spend, they made their own flour by
using millstone to bake Chinese New Year cookies; they decorate their houses with
simple lanterns made of red papers.
“The happiest thing for us when we were young was
receiving ‘Nian’ from our parents and
relatives.
“‘Ang
Pow’ was not called ‘Ang Pow’ that
time; we called it ‘Nian’.
“Each ‘Nian’
contained of only a few cents but we were happy to receive it as it is a
sincere blessing from the adults,” Ghey said.
“It’s no longer the same now.
“Some kids even complain that RM20 is too little for ‘Ang Pow’.
“That will not
happen at our generation.”
Both agree that one thing no longer exists during
Chinese New Year - their favorite glass-bottled carbonated drinks.
“Although we did not have much money to shop during
Chinese New Year, there is one ritual that we used to follow every year.
“We will buy a bottle of SARSI flavored drink and
F&N orange juice right after the New Year Eve dinner.
“It is one of the happiest memories we have.
“Sadly we don’t have a chance to do it now anymore.”
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