Resident: Pass tradition, culture to younger generation
SIBU: The tradition and culture of our rich heritage must be passed on to the younger generation.
Sibu Divisional Resident Charles Siaw made this call at the mooncake festival gathering cum fellowship night organised by the Sibu Chinese Leaders Association (SCLA) at a hotel here recently.
“We flourish today because our older generation have persisted in preserving of our tradition and heritage. Therefore, we must share these practices and values with the younger generation so that this rich heritage can be passed on from one generation to the next,” he said.
Siaw said mooncake or mid- autumn festival is part of the Chinese cultural heritage rooted in ancient China with the beautiful lady in the moon and military messages passed in mooncakes during the Yuan dynasty in a war with Moguls.
He said it is celebrated in different ways across Asia with Malaysia celebrating the festival by holding lantern procession and community events.
“Children today still carry lanterns around though the lanterns are now battery operated compared to those of yesteryear which used to catch fi re,” he stated.
He said the mooncake festival has become an occasion to get together to renew family ties and friendships.
“We observe the festival today as it connects us with our past and link our children to us. Although mooncake festival is predominantly celebrated by Chinese, other races are welcomed to join in the festivity.
“There are halal mooncakes in the market. In this way, we can further strengthen the bond of friendship and unity among various races,” he added.
Earlier, president of SCLA Temenggong Dato Vincent Lau also spoke.
Among those present were local community leaders Temenggong Datuk Wan Hamid Edruce Tuanku Mohamad, Temenggong Stanley Geramong Bandar, Pemanca Datuk Wong Kie Yik, Sibu deputy Resident Wong Hee Sieng, representative from Sibu District Office Zulkarnai Ismail and organising chairman Kapitan Fung Tat Shen.