A celebration away from home

THE Lunar New Year highlights some of the most fascinating aspects of Chinese tradition and rituals. This festival is a time for family reunions, firecrackers, the lion dance, mandarin oranges and (red packets with money).

It begins on the first day of the lunar calendar year (the first day of the new moon) and ends on the 15th day, known as Chap Goh Meh (the last day of the full moon).

To mark Chinese New Year, looks at how non-Malaysian Chinese students celebrate in this country, away from home.

“In Malaysia, every family has oranges as they represent gold. However, in China, oranges are not that popular. We have candies for our celebration,” said Nancy, 24.

“In China, I am asked about my marital status, as most use this time to find romantic partners. And since I am single, I am always approached with requests to meet suitors.”

While in Malaysia, Nancy finds it refreshing to prepare a special meal at home, play cards and watch a movie instead of fielding questions about her marital status.

“But I do miss my family a lot and I call them to wish them a joyous New Year.”

Zhou Ling, 28, who prefers to be called Eli, from Chongqing in southwest China, celebrates Chinese New Year for the first time in Malaysia. She plans to get together with her friends who are not heading home to China for the festive season.

“I am excited to experience the similarities and differences in celebrating the festival in the two countries.

“This time of year is the busiest in China when everybody is preparing to usher in the new year. For example, parents will buy new clothes for their children and prepare festive fare. We invite relatives and friends to our home. It is a time when I miss my parents and brother very much,” said Eli who studies at Taylor’s University.

Indonesian Jennifer Veronisha, 21, celebrated Chinese New Year here for the first time two years ago with her family and a friend at a reunion dinner in Klang.

Celebrations in both neighbouring nations are similar but she finds it much more festive here. “In my hometown, we hold a small family reunion, prepare dishes to offer to deities and visit relatives, but the atmosphere is quieter compared to Malaysia,” said Jennifer.

The biggest challenge is celebrating the auspicious occasion without her family. “Chinese New Year is about spending quality time with family members and, without them, it is incomplete.”

South Korean Henry Seo Hun Min, a third-year student in a business administration programme in collaboration with the University of Hertfordshire at INTI International College Subang, said he has celebrated Chinese New Year in Malaysia with two families since 2015.

“The event started with (tossing raw fish salad), with the family at a huge round table. It is a good appetiser for Chinese cuisine before heading back to the family home after dinner to receive the red packets.

“It reminded me of the Korean Lunar Festival,” said the 22-year-old, who added that there are some differences between it and Chinese

In China, I am asked about my marital status.

ZHANG JING @ NANCY

New Year.

“For example, the celebration here focuses on family bonds and traditional values. In Korea, however, some people think of the new year holidays as ‘me’ time rather than time spent with family.”

Sunway University business studies student Liang Yating, 19, from Zhejiang province in China, will be celebrating Chinese New Year here for the second time.

Last year, while enrolled as a Canadian International Matriculation Programme student at Sunway College, she made dumplings for her friends, who are also from China, to celebrate the festive occasion.

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