Ethnic Chinese (read: Tionghoa) had been traveling for their good future to various parts of the world since centuries ago, bringing their orÂdinances and culture when they immigrated to one place. It is believed that the IndoneÂsian ancestors came from Yunnan, China. A long way, crossing the ferocious China sea to arrive in the archipelago about centuries ago, making this Chinese descendants feelÂing as the integral part of the Indonesian naÂtion and especially with good acculturation, mixed-culture which become a rich legacy of archipelago in the present time.
Nia S. Amira
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The celebration of Chinese New Year was just over last February 8, 2016 which was followed by the celebration of Cap Go Meh on February 22, 2016 to end the grand event and it has its own meaning, symbolizing the 15th and last day of the Chinese New Year celebration for ChiÂnese communities in the entire world. The term of Cap Go Meh is derived from Hokkien dialect which literally means Cap = Ten, Go = Lima, and Meh = Night. This means that the Chinese New Year celebraÂtion lasts for fifteen days. Cap Go Meh celÂebration is usually celebrated with a great banquet and various activities.
Chinese Lunar 2016 is the year of Red Monkey Fire. The addition of the word reÂfers to the Red Fire Monkey Shio or stars found on the Chinese calendar system. Each zodiac symbolizes s o m e Âthing that is asÂsociated with the type o f animal that is believed to be an intermediÂary for the fate of every person in every year. Of course this is very meaningful for Chinese people who still believe in a culture that has been existing since thousands of years ago.
Most nations in East and Southeast Asia believe that Chinese New Year is as a very important event in human life; for their future, the forecast of their fortune and of their business, their health, even matchÂmaking also becomes important and should ask someone who is expert to explain about good and bad thing in every star and the way to avoid the misfortune.
Eating with the whole family is a manÂdatory tradition during New Year celebraÂtion. These are some food examples which must be served when the whole family get together for the meal; steamed fish which symbolizes prosperity, long noodles as a symbol of long life, sweet cakes made of sticky rice cooked with brown sugar and coconut believed to tighten the relations among the family member, and particular orange trees called as Kinkit interpreted as carriers of fortune and luck.
Since a month before the New Year arÂrives, the people had flocked to buy all these prayer items, both for those who pray in the monastery, and who performed the ceremony at the Chinese temple. Large canÂdles almost 2 meters tall booked ahead with their names written in Chinese characters and delivered to the temples to be blessed by the monk. A week heading to the New Year up to New Year’s eve, the temples have been overrun by the followers who perform their prayer in front the altar, each God has owns nature of each related to human life, such as the God of Wealth, the God of Health, and others.
Dozens of Polianthes Tuberosa and Red Anthurium and Fresh Fruits laid out along the altar to give the best for the God and Goddess Kuan Im, exÂpecting to get better luck throughout the year.
It was still dawn that first day of New Year, but hundreds of poor people have gathered in front of the Temple looking forward to the white red stripped enÂvelope with sufficient money inside as the present of that special day. Tons of rice and other basic food have also been prepared to be distributed to the needy who work daily as porters at the port, motorcycle taxi driver even bike drivers around the harbor, and the fishermen who live around the port. Usually each family received 5 kilograms of rice, cooking oil, sugar, instant noodles and the favorite white red envelope of Ang Pao. Waiting in queue, the needy give their coupons to change with a package of the basic food. This kind of tolerance among the religious followers has been managed very good in Indonesia.
The sound of drums, gongs and cymÂbals and loud pounding accompanying the procession of barongsai (red dragon) that drives around the town to entertain people while expecting Ang Pao put into the mouth of a lion dancer. What a wonderful unity, religious tolerÂance. Unity in Diversity. The world seems so peaceful.
