Chinese New Year.
on Mary In Cambodia (Cambodia), 17/Feb/2010 13:20, 34 days ago
Chinese New Year.Here in Cambodia Chinese new Year is a 3 day unofficial holiday. For us in Education it means that we are supposed to work, but all schools will be closed. This country will celebrate its own new year in April, hence the unofficial ‘we’re celebrating but don’t tell’ system.According to my assistant who has Chinese ancestors, it all begins with a day of cooking, on the eve of New Year. Each family prepares the favourite dishes of family members who have died. Then the head of the family leads prayers inviting the ancestors to come and join in the meal. Next an invitation is given to abandoned or forgotten spirits to join the family gathering. Groups walk around the streets banging drums to wake the spirits.At approximately 3 am fire crackers are set off to frighten away evil spirits who may be sitting around the house. (This awful noise will not frighten family spirits, they understand what’s going on !).Later each family lights a fire outside the house, and burns mock money, gold paper, paper shoes and clothing, miniature passports, anything they think the spirits may need. They are sending these things to the spirits, with prayers for their good fortune in the after-life. It is believed that the next world is like this one. where spirits may be rich or poor.New Year Tree. Many homes erect a tree similar to our Christmas tree. Baubles are hung on it and also small envelopes which contain money. These are distributed to the poor on the final day of celebration. A particular species of tree is used, which brings good fortune if it has flowered by New Year.       Dragon Dance. Food/Money is hung over the entrance of homes who will welcome the dragon. It arrives in noisy procession with a band of drummers and actors. To the beat of drums and ripple of fire crackers, the beast prances around, fights off competition, gets the food and eventually enters the house, where it kneels in homage to the Buddha. A masked companion also worships, and then blesses the inhabitants with holy water. This is done mainly to raise funds for charity.        Before Chinese New Year, homes are‘spring’ cleaned I’m told. ( not evident) and cleaning is not allowed for the 3 days of celebration ( or is it 300 days!!). Gifts are also exchanged.  Only one more New Year to go for 2010, the real one!