Preserving and following old customs, traditions

LEGEND from a small province in Shanghai says that a great dragon-like creature called Nian would emerge from under the sea each spring to eat people, especially children.

One day, a boy managed to scare Nian away with his bright red vest and a high pitched scream. Villagers then devised a plan to decorate their houses with red and gold, and set off fireworks and noisemakers. And to this day, Chinese New Year is never complete with the same tradition.

Before the actual celebration even begins, Chinese families go through a massive cleaning campaign, making their homes spotless. It is believed that cleaning sweeps away the bad luck of the previous year and prepares their homes for good luck. This is the time that some people put on fresh coats of red paint on their doors and window-frames. Auspicious Chinese characters such as "longevity" and "fortune" are also used for decorations. Buying new clothes, shoes and getting a hair cut also symbolise being ready for a fresh start to the year.

The first day of Chinese New Year, which officially begins at midnight, is for the welcoming of the deities of heaven and earth. Buddhists in particular will abstain from eating meat on this day because it is believed that it will ensure longevity for them. The first day is also a time when families visit the oldest and most senior members of their family; parents, grandparents or great-grandparents. A lion dance troupe may be invited during this occasion as a symbolic ritual to welcome in the new year and expel bad spirits from the premises. Married members of the family give out red packets to younger members, usually children and teenagers.

Traditionally, married daughters may not have the opportunity to frequently visit their birth families so the second day and third day of Chinese New Year is the perfect time to do so. It is also believed that the second day is the birthday of all dogs, so people tend to be extra kind to them on that day.

The fifth day is called Po Wu, the birthday of the Chinese god of wealth. In some parts of the world, it is typical to find people setting off firecrackers in an attempt to get Guan Yu's attention, ensuring his favour and good fortune for the new year.

The seventh day is traditionally known as the common man's birthday. This is when raw fish salad, yusheng, is eaten. The custom involves people getting together to toss the colourful salads, making wishes for continued wealth and prosperity.

Fifteen days pass since the beginning of the Chinese New Year celebrations and as the first full moon appears for the new year, the Chinese celebrate Chap Goh Mei (which literally means "fifteen night") to mark the end of the Chinese New Year Festivities.

Taboos and superstitions make up a huge part of the Chinese community especially during the first day of Chinese New Year.

In cleaning the house prior to Chinese New Year, there is a superstition that if you sweep the dirt out over the threshold, you will sweep the wealth away.

Also, to sweep the dust and dirt out of your house by the front entrance is to sweep away the good fortune of the family; it must always be swept inwards and then carried out, then no harm will follow. All dirt and rubbish must be taken out the back door. At the stroke of midnight, every door in the house, and even windows, have to be opened to allow the old year to "go out".

Other practices include paying off all debts before the first day of Chinese New Year. On the actual day itself, nothing should be lent as anyone who does so will be lending all the year. Back when tinder and flint were used, no one would lend them on this day or give a light to others.

Everyone refrains from using foul language and bad or unlucky words. Death, especially is a taboo topic.

It is believed that if one cries on the first day, he or she will be crying all year long, so children are heavily tolerated even if they are at their worst behaviours.

Practice makes perfect

Celia remembers as a child, Chinese New Year was "always about the food, fireworks and angpows" (red packets). It was also a chance for her to meet relatives who she only got the opportunity to see during such festivities. For her family, it was tradition to head back to her grandfather's home in Seria for the celebrations. But as the years passed, they got to see less and less of those relatives because some had migrated elsewhere and cousins would have been overseas for studies. In her eyes, celebrations have downsized immensely but although it is not quite the same these days, her family tries their very best to celebrate it meaningfully.

In the past, Celia also had to celebrate Chinese New Year in Australia where she was studying and it was quite an experience. "I was so used to having someone prepare the food and decorate the house," she said. "I take my hat off to the people who deal with it every year. Nothing beats having family around so Chinese New Year was definitely lacking when I was overseas."

Her own parents have felt that things have definitely changed especially with bearing the responsibility of holding the open house for the family on the first day now. This year, in particular was very different as their first grandchild is now in the picture. "The decorations doubled just for their granddaughter who seems to love the colour red," she said.

Celebrating Chinese New Year for the first time as a mother, she described the feeling as "incredible". "From trying to find an outfit for the little one to deciding whether she, her dad and myself would be matching for the first day or not," she said. "I was so proud to bring her down the stairs to show her to family and friends. Nothing can beat that feeling. The poor thing was so exhausted by the end of the day from all the attention but she will grow up to enjoy Chinese New Year like many children."

Low Yency, 27, had nothing but fond memories when it came to Chinese New Year. Since she began working in Brunei in 2005, every year without fail, she would return to her hometown, Lawas.

But although she makes the effort annually, she has noticed that plenty of people around her take the chance to go on vacation instead to make use of the holiday. "Every year, new people come into the family and it is the time for them to get to know their elders."

Traditionally, sons have to be home by Chinese New Year eve and her family has been very stern at keeping this tradition alive. Another tradition that her family still practices is a tea ceremony for the first day. As a child, the tea would have been offered to her grandfather who has now passed away. Unfortunately, with his passing, a number of practices have also began to be forgotten. Yency attributes it to living overseas and mixed marriages which tend to encourage a more laxed attitude towards traditional customs.

Also known as the Chinese Valentine's Day, Chap Goh Mei, which marks the end of Chinese New Year celebrations, will witness the practice of throwing oranges into the river by unmarried women. Yency recalls as a child she would nonchalantly hurl the fruits in. As she grew older, she began to feel rather embarrassed joining the mass of young girls participating. "I heard on the radio that people would stuff addresses into the oranges and wrapping up the package in plastic to float downstream. Years later, I heard that they would write their phone numbers in permanent marker on the oranges. And the latest one I heard was that they would write their email addresses," she shared. "It is said that if a man picks up an orange from the river at the time and it is sweet, they will one day meet and share a good life together."

"But nowadays, you can even throw oranges in the Internet," she exclaimed.

Although from the outside, Yency may look like a modern young lady but deep down, she has a firm grip on her traditions and culture. "Its fun," the hairstylist quipped. "It's where you come from. With all this technology and advancements, it's ok to step back into a world rich in cultural practice only once a year."

Disappointed at how many people are failing to see the beauty in the Chinese culture, she admitted that it took her to be away from her family to fully appreciate it. Back then, her father would be insistent that the family participates in one ritual after another but now she fully understands the meanings behind them. "If I had the chance to turn back time, I would throw those oranges properly," she said with a huge smile, hands clasped together as if holding an imaginary orange.

The Brunei Times