Year of the Rooster a symbol of honesty
Chinese New Year celebrated world-wide
IT WAS the launch of the Year of the Rooster at the Nan Hua Temple in Bronkhorstspruit yesterday as people from far and wide joined the Chinese community to celebrate the most important holiday in its calendar.
People from various cultures, religions and ethnicities attended and enjoyed all kinds of Chinese traditional food, practised their dances, took part in religious activities and even attempted to speak the language.
The Nan Hua Temple hosted hundreds of people, among them the city of Tshwane’s mayor Solly Msimanga and popular musician Zwai Bala and his family.
The annual event has always promised spectacular fireworks, fun and a big feast, and yesterday was about just that.
There was laughter, a lot of excitement, amusement and many emotions as the fireworks went off.
Other than it being the Chinese New Year celebrations, it was also a day of relaxation for non-Chinese people, who came out in their bright summer clothes, relaxing on the lawns and having a good time.
Among the multicultural performances were martial arts displays, Chinese yo-yo dance, Indian dancing, Korean dancing and much more. People also took part in this year’s exclusive relaxation meditation.
In return, people who participated in the meditation received a book called 365 Days for Travellers. The book offered wisdom, guidance, and inspiration from Chinese writers and Buddhist classics.
People also participated in the Wishing Tree: in accordance with ancient times, people wrote their names and wishes on a piece of ribbon attached to a coin and threw it at the wishing tree hoping their wishes would become true.
Stalls were packed as people queued to buy traditional Chinese, Cantonese and Taiwanese cuisine, among other popular foods.
The celebrations officially started on Saturday and will continue until the Lantern Festival, the 15th day of the Chinese New Year.