A quieter festival this year
Jade Emperor celebration retains its lustre despite MCO
PETALING JAYA: This year’s Bai Tian Gong or Jade Emperor festival will be limited to family affairs with the ban on inter-district and interstate travel still in place, says Klang Hokkien Association president Soo Hak Min.
Soo noted the tradition was now practised even by those not of Hokkien descent, and prayers that start later this evening usually see many relatives and friends dropping by.
“This year, it will be a scaleddown affair because only the closest family members will be involved.”
He said it was good that the government allowed the tradition to go on at home.
“But owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, we should not be doing this the old way and forgo the safety of our loved ones,” he said.
“Let’s keep it simple and low key, avoid gathering and follow the standard operating procedure.”
Soo, who accompanied his father to the wet market yesterday morning, said many had started preparing the necessary prayer items and offerings since the day before.
“We bought some prayer items, fruits and sugarcane. We will pick up other items such as buns and steamed cakes later,” he added.
Soo also called on those who are unable to go home for prayers with their family to keep up with the tradition on their own.
In GEORGE TOWN, preparations are in full swing, with this year’s rage being a complete costume made of paper for the Jade Emperor.
Jean Ong, who works at a prayer paraphernalia shop in Perak Road, said whole outfits for the Jade Emperor were in demand.
“The set comes with shoes, a robe, a belt and head gear. Offering this during the prayer is like a thanksgiving offering to the emperor.
“Another popular offering are golden scrolls for education; it is believed that burning the scrolls will bring good exam results,” she said.
However, what’s most sought after is joss paper, said Ong.
“It is paper money and people make a wish and burn it as an offering. It is bought in bulk as everyone burns their own stack after praying for whatever they wish to come true,” she said.
At a nearby makeshift shop, Ch’ng Chai Seah was seen selling sugarcane for the festival.
“This is something that my grandfather started. I now do this once a year as I know people need to buy sugarcane for their prayers,” he said.
Bank officer Chan Mei Yin, 40, who was shopping for fruits with her mother Rosie Ng, 75, said they were looking for a big pineapple.
“Pineapples mean prosperity to the Hokkien community, and it is a must-have for the prayer. They say that the bigger the pineapple, the better it is when making an offering.
“We need to get a pomelo, watermelon, bananas and sugarcane as well.
“As things are a bit different this year due to the MCO, we have to travel in two’s and get everything done in time for the prayers,” said Chan.
The Jade Emperor’s birthday is celebrated by the Hokkiens on the ninth day of the Lunar New Year.