Races and Festivals

Chinese

The Chinese New Year or Hua Ren Xin Nian (华人新年) falls in the months of January and February. Also known as Lunar New Year, it lasts 15 days and ends with the Lantern Festival or Yuan Xiao Jie (元宵节). Every New Year is named after one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac.


Weeks before the New Year, old things are discarded and the house is spring cleaned. Hair is cut and all debts are repaid before New Year’s Day. Red and gold are auspicious colours for the Chinese and so paper decorations in these two colours are hung around the house.

The family reunion dinner is the most important custom observed and is held on New Year’s Eve. Foods served have special significance and ensure family harmony and peace throughout the year. Special food served includes yu sheng (鱼生) or raw fish salad and nian gao (年糕) or sticky sweet rice pudding.

On New Year’s Day, one can hear loud beating of gongs and cymbals accompanied by lion dances. Children and singles are the happiest on this day for they receive hong baos (红包) or red packets of money from parents and married relatives. Mandarin oranges are presented to hosts in twos to signify double happiness or prosperity. The Chinese wish each other Gong Xi Fa Cai (恭喜发财) or “Happy and Prosperous New Year” on this special day.


To welcome the New Year and to expect prosperity and good fortune throughout the year, there are many taboos to be avoided during the New Year period. For example, one must not sweep the house; otherwise, prosperity and good luck will be swept away.

Malay

Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting and giving alms, falls on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. This is also the month when Prophet Muhammad received the first words of the Holy Quran. During this period, Muslims practise self-discipline, show gratitude for blessings received and reflect on all their past deeds.

Two of the Five Pillars of Islam, fasting and Zakat or gift of money to charity, are practised during Ramadan. Muslims, except the very young and sick, abstain from food and drink from daybreak till sunset. Zakat-ul-Fitr or the payment for breaking fast is collected from every family and given to charity.

At the end of the fasting month, when the new moon is sighted, Muslims celebrate the festival of Hari Raya Puasa or Aidilfitri. Prayers are held in the mosque in the morning, after which families gather at their homes for a grand feast. Youngsters seek forgiveness and blessings from their parents on this day too.

Indian

On Thaipusam day, hundreds of devotees offer prayers, either by piercing their chest with spikes and lemon, pulling a chariot from Srinivasa Perumal Temple, or carrying Kavadis. Some of them even walk on stones that are burning with fire underneath (the first picture from the right –Fire Walking). The devotees offer their prayers and fulfill their vows. The Vel (holy spear) in the sanctum is showered with milk continuously for hours. Several Chinese devotees and people of other religion and races also come to fulfill their vows on this day.