Hokkien New Year

The 8th day of Chinese New Year is when the Hokkien celebrate new year and their escape from the sugar cane fields.

We went to WH's maternal grandmother's in Petaling Jaya before 12 for the family gathering and the preparations for the celebrations. The grandmother is 94 and has 14 children - 11 girls and 3 boys whose ages range from 71 to 43 and yes, they do talk about #5 sister etc.

We were slightly defeated as both #1 gf and Wen 4 were ill but the rest of us a good night.

There was paper to fold which is set alight as prayers to the ancestors and each family group had to say prayers before the table laden with food, including a roast piglet. More ang pow were distributed with #2 son receiving quite a few red packets. After 12 the prayers and the altar were burned along with the sugar canes which had been set up over the gate. then the grandsons had to decide who would like the strings of fire crackers tied up at the entrance. They are illegal here but that doesn't stop people using them. the neighbours over the road have a smaller family so their crackers were set off first. My #2 son managed to lose the competition so had to light the longest string, scary as they are on a very short fuse. And the noise - definitely ear splitting.

Then there was the mixing of the food to bring prosperity and the eating of the noodles and the pork.

We got back after 2 so today is another slow day. I've already been to the pool as it is hot and sunny. However, there is a sense of anticlimax, the parties are over. #3 son and gf leave tonight and #2 son was leaving today but has postponed that till tomorrow. And WH goes back to work tomorrow. But it's been a great and unforgettable week-end.

18.2.1978.