‘ If you really want to make a friend, go to someone’s house and eat with him … the people who give you their food give you their heart.’
— Cesar Chavez, American labour leader and civil rights activist.
Happy Chap Goh Mei to all Chinese friends.
Do you know that “Chap Goh Mei” in Hokkien means the15th night of the Chinese New Year?
Yes, my friends, today is the last day of the Chinese New Year. The “Chap Goh Mei” festival marks the end of the long celebration. Today, families will gather for a grand feast either at noon or in the evening.
Do you know that “Chap Goh Mei” is considered the Chinese Valentine’s Day?
In ancient China, Chinese women could only go out during the “Chap Goh Mei” festival. On this day, maidens would throw oranges into the sea in the hope of finding good husbands while many young men would gather around in the hope of catching glimpses of the lovely maidens.
On this day, many maidens would also go to temples, dressed in their finest clothes, with the hope of finding prospective suitors.
If a man found someone he liked, he would hire a matchmaker to help him ask for the girl’s hand in marriage.
In Malaysia, the tradition of throwing Mandarin oranges into the sea is still observed by maidens, particularly in Penang.
In this modern era, the practice is maintained just to remind the Chinese of the ancient “Chap Goh Mei” tradition. Nevertheless, if the practice really increases a girl’s chance of finding a good husband, why not?
However, with the high costs of mandarin oranges this Chinese New Year, I wonder how many maidens will throw oranges into the sea or river tonight.
Today, my elder sister, Moi, will be busy cooking a grand “Chap Goh Mei” dinner for her husband and daughter in Bintulu.
I sent her to the airport yesterday afternoon so that she could catch the flight home.
When Moi arrived in Kuching on Jan 27, the sixth day of the Chinese New Year, she announced her ambitious plan to give my home a facelift before she returned home.
But her plan remained, well, just a plan.
I am not disappointed. “If it is the Chinese New Year season, why do we have to worry about facelift for the home? We should just relax and enjoy the gatherings and reunions,” I tell myself.
During the duration of Moi’s stay in Kuching, both of us were rarely home most of the days. There were so many Chinese New Year gatherings for us to attend.
For me, this year’s Chinese New Year celebration is the busiest in a long time.
It is also my happiest Chinese New Year celebration in many years, thanks to Moi and my niece, Ah Hong, who decided to spend their time with me this year.
I did not have an open house. Instead, I went round, visiting relatives and a friend. I took lots of pictures to share with other family members who were not in Kuching and to keep for remembrance.
I am sure there will be days when I will look at them to relive the close ties, love and jokes I shared with those I visited.
I think good food is a must for Chinese New Year gatherings. It makes them more memorable. But good food does not have to be expensive. It can just be a simple home cooked fare.
In multicultural Sarawak, Kacangma Chicken, a Hakka confinement dish and herbal chicken dish, is making its way to the Chinese New Year table.
Also popular at the Chinese New Year table is “Pansuh Manuk”, an Iban dish prepared by cooking chicken meat in bamboo and stuffed with water and seasoning.
Another Malaysian classic dish you can expect at the Chinese New Year table is Chicken Rendang, tender chicken in aromatic herbs and creamy coconut milk.
My son served, among many other dishes, Kacangma Chicken and “Pansuh Manuk” for his Chinese New Year reunion. His mother-in-law cooked the Kacangma Chicken while his wife bought the “Pansuh Manuk” from an Iban neighbour.
My nephew served his Muslim friends with delicious Malaysian dishes including Chicken Rendang, Chicken Kurma, a delicious South Indian curried dish made with chicken spices, coconut and herbs and “Lemang” (glutinous rice cooked in bamboo). All were prepared by a Malay caterer.
When I visited Jennie, a friend from Miri, she served me and other guests many interesting dishes including a cooling cucumber salad mixed with Kewpie dressing and mint sauce, Chicken Curry and fried mixed vegetables.
We, Sarawakians, are so lucky that we can enjoy so many delicious dishes from different races.
If you are a foreigner, I think one of the best times to visit Sarawak or Malaysia for that matter is during the Chinese New Year celebration.
If you visit the right open house, it will be overflowing with food and drinks, mostly non-alcoholic. You will certainly be able to savour many interesting dishes to your heart’s content.
Until my next column, Happy Chap Goh Mei to all Chinese friends and a happy Sunday to all readers.
