Celebrating with red
Dragons and lion dancers crowding the streets during the New Year fest.
TRADITIONALLY CELEBRATED in February every year, for Chinese, it is a time for prayer and revelry, for rituals and parties.
New clothes, new things for the home, and a new look are all the rage at this time of the year, and spending is done with gay abandon.
Legend has it that every year, at a certain time, people would disappear from a village. A wise man was consulted, who found the reason to be a terrible monster, whose actions were dictated by planetary cycles.
This monster was said to be afraid of light, noise and the colour red.
Also, pictures of fierce warriors could be kept in front of doorways, to further frighten away the monster.
These suggestions were duly followed, and the particular time went off without any trouble from the ogre.
This became an annual event, a time of thanksgiving to the gods, a time of relief, and revelry.
Flowers and miniature mandarin trees became part of the lore, and it is common to see mini orange trees in giant pots, with dangling tiny oranges, in front of every building in Chinese predominant areas.
Red and gold decorations abound, and cakes, sweets and barbecued pork are sold in thousands.
Old accounts are settled, as it is unlucky to start a new year with unpaid bills.
The traditional `hong bao' or the red paper packets with gift money inside are given to children — red is considered lucky for both the giver and the receiver.
Dragons and lion dancers crowd the streets, and shops offer plenty of bargains at this time. Both Malaysia and Singapore are good places to be in, at this time of the year as the Chinatown areas really throb with life and celebrations.
* * *
Colourful festival
To usher in the Chun Jie, Chinese new year of the Rooster, Chinatown is transformed into a fairyland of light and colour with spectacular overarching decorations lining the streets. The bustling street bazaar (January 15 - February 8), with its delectable array of goodies like waxed duck, barbecued sweet meats, assorted cookies and other new year accessories makes it the place where the Chinese in Singapore congregate year after year to soak in the festive atmosphere.
To cap it off, the countdown to the New Year starts on February 8. What's exciting about the Countdown party? Launch of the light-up (with fireworks and fire crackers) on January 15. Exciting projections and shows on the building facades in Chinatown (January 15 - February 8).
Chingay (February 19, 2005) Preview (February 8, 2005), 7 p.m. Chingay is a multi-cultural and cosmopolitan street parade preserving the tradition of Chinese New Year while showcasing the rich diversity of Singapore's society. Asia's grandest float and street parade, for the first time, Chingay is a 16-day event with extra float procession routes.
At the carnival at tampines the history of Chingay, costumes and floats will be displayed from February 20 - March 6.
Extra float parade routes from Orchard Road to Marina Bay to Little India (February 20) and Orchard Road to Marina Bay to Chinatown (February 27). River Hong Bao (February 7 - 23, 2005)
The Singapore River Hong Bao 2005 is a cultural event and the stretch of Marina Promenade is transformed into a Chinese cultural village-cum-amusement park. — R. G.
RUPA GOPAL
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Entertainment
Bangalore
Chennai
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
