Some of Lunar New Year treats from our neighbor - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti
Lunar New Year or also known as Chinese New Year is the biggest celebration in Singapore. This year sounds different because of the Covid-19 situation. However, I think people still celebrate it in another way. How does it look like? Are you feeling curious and want to know how locals managed to mark this special occasion? Let's get on it!
We have been staying in Singapore for about 9 years. Since moved to Singapore a few years ago the first thing in my mind was on how to bonding with locals. I wanted to know their daily life, how they eat, habits, and events including Chinese Year New. I think it is my rule that I have to learn culture and tradition wherever I live. With this new knowledges, I hope that I could become a better person and open my horizon.
Talking about the biggest event, Lunar New Year in Singapore, well, there are lots of intriguing things happening, for instance, foods, ceremony, family dinner, and snacks. Simple thing Chinese New Year is the time for a family reunion and sit down together and eat together. Maybe many of you think this festive is only for Buddhists or related to this religion. If I am not wrong, Buddhist is not a religion but guides people on how to live. That what I hear from a friend. Back to the topic, here in Singapore, regardless their religion, everyone who have Chinese root, they celebrate Lunar New Year. For example, my neighbors who are not Buddhist yet still celebrate it. That's what I like about living in Singapore. Living in harmony and respect for each other.
Pineapple tart/ cookies, tom yam yam, salted egg yam, seaweed crackers, and crackers - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti
In 2021, due to the coronavirus situation, there are so many rules that we have to adhere to so that we can continue managing the spread of the Covid-19 infection in the community. For example, each household only receives 8 visitors a day. Dining at a restaurant is also allows 8 people except for the same household. But it is merely impossible for one household with 10 residents. Everyone must understand the situation even though the daily new local case of COVID-19 infection is zero. What if someone or a group of people breach management safety? Well, the fine of up to $ 10,000 and 6 months jail will wait for you.
So, what did locals do to celebrate Lunar New Year during the pandemic? Many of them stay at home and cooking at home. My neighbors, for example, just sit tight at home even if they felt a little sad. Cooking at home and having dinner with a family member, their children, and grandkids. If another family would do visit then with the arrangement, 8 people a day. What are locals cooking? When my husband and I went to the hypermarket 2 days before Chinese New Year Eve, most people bought hot pot ingredients such as wong bok (Chinese cabbage), enoki mushroom, meat, fishball, lobsters, et cetera. This indicated that during this festive season makes a hot pot at home is their choice. Besides making a hot pot set menu at home, I think many of them cooking another food based on family culture or tradition, for example, chili crab. Every family has its own tradition that's what I have been believed. So, there is not always a hot pot.
What about snacks? Of course, there are abundant snacks and treats during this particular occasion. What I like about Lunar New Year in Singapore is that plenty of snacks, cookies, and sweets, all those treats are special because we can only find them during Lunar New Year. For instance, Chiku chips are also known as arrowhead chips, love letters, durian cookies, larva cheesecakes, pumpkin cake, coffee cookies, bahulu cakes, et cetera, you-name-it. The most popular are pineapples tart and kuih bahulu. Both are traditional ones and I think it must buy them in this special season.
Something that special on Chinese New Year in Singapore, we exchange snacks or gifts with our neighbors. I usually make a goodies package for my neighbors and give it to them before Chinese New Year Eve. My choice is always the same every year; pineapple tart and bahulu cakes, and 2 oranges, including flower brooches or flower accessories in these goodies. These handmade flowers are made by myself. This year I chose pineapple tart, salted egg yam, 2 oranges, and handmade flower accessories. Even though I do not want my neighbor to give me gifts but still they sent some gifts to our doorstep by hanging them. As result, we have lots of snacks and another package at home and we do not know how to eat all of those treats.
Packages for my neighbors - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti
That's how locals celebrated Lunar New Year during pandemics, at least in my neighborhood. What I have learned is that maybe it is a different celebration but we feel grateful because we are still in good shape, healthy. Instead of complaining about the government rules, laws, and how strict safe measurement, we, in Singapore, are just grateful for our life. All those laws that government imposes are for safety and the future. We must understand and do our part fight against Covid-19.
By exchanging cakes, or gifts, I think it helps to cheer up our neighbor who celebrate Lunar New Year during the coronavirus year. If you want to know more, I do exchange cakes on Christmas day as well. Not only that, during New Year's eve 2021 one of my neighbors sent me cakes even if I did not send them cakes, what nice and kind neighbors. I love living here!😊 I feel that I just live in kampoeng. "Kampoeng" means village. Then I realize, it does not matters where we live in whether in the city or village, we can still do living in "kampoeng spirit". It means we can manage our relationship with neighbors regardless of race, language, and religion. So, are you staying in Singapore, are you living in "kampoeng spirit", if yes, tell me then what your experiences😊
Read my another article on another blog about Tom Yam Hot Pot here https://ichi-recipes.blogspot.com/2021/02/cny-sg-2021-tom-yam-hot-pot.html and A Budget Hot Pot here https://ichi-recipes.blogspot.com/2021/02/a-budget-hot-pot.html
Note:
- Written by Acik Mardhiyanti
- Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti
- Do not copy this article without permission
- Do not reuse these photographs anywhere else without permission
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