`Cap Go Meh' celebrations hope for blessings<\/p>\n
Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
With incense sticks in their hands and prayers issuing from their
\nlips, thousands of Chinese-Indonesians line up along the streets
\nto greet the toapekong (effigies of gods) during the Cap Go Meh
\ncelebrations.<\/p>\n
Held on the 15th day of the first month of the Lunar Calendar,
\nCap Go Meh celebrations in Indonesia have their roots in southern
\nChina, from where most Chinese descendants here come.<\/p>\n
Lecturer at the University of Indonesia's School of Chinese
\nStudies Eddy Prabowo Witanto said the Chinese in southern China
\nbelieved the gods come out of the heavens on the 15th day to
\ngrant wishes and spread good luck.<\/p>\n
\"The parade, carrying toapekong around town, is a reflection
\nof this belief,\" he said. Cap Go Meh simply means \"night of the
\n15th\" in the southern Chinese dialect, Hokkian.<\/p>\n
In Singkawang, West Kalimantan -- where people of Chinese
\ndescent still practice their traditions -- celebrations center at
\nthe Kelenteng Dewi Welas Asih (temple of the goddess of mercy),
\nEddy said.<\/p>\n
\"Effigies from many surrounding temples are carried to the
\nKelenteng Dewi Welas Asih to be blessed,\" he explained.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, effigies of Cheng Guan Cheng Kun (a heavenly god)
\nand Tian Kao (two dogs that are believed to usher the former) are
\nparaded from the 500-year-old Wihara Dharma Djaja Toasebeo in
\nWest Jakarta to Taman Fatahillah.<\/p>\n
This celebration was not possible during the presidency of
\nSoeharto when most Chinese culture was suppressed, and any
\ncelebrations restricted to people's homes.<\/p>\n
The celebration on the 15th of the first month is also marked
\nby the lighting of lanterns, which are believed to draw the gods
\nfrom the heavens to the celebration on earth and lead them back
\nafterward.<\/p>\n
The Lantern Festival, as it is known, takes on a more
\nelaborate form in northern China where huge lanterns of various
\nforms, sizes and colors are displayed.<\/p>\n
The festival is believed to date back to the Han Dynasty (206
\nBC to 221 AD), and a story of its origins tells of a homesick
\npalace maid contriving a distraction to enable her to go home.<\/p>\n
The maid, Yuan Xiao, told the emperor that the Fire God would
\nset fire to the city unless it was appeased with a scene of
\nburning. The emperor ordered firecrackers be set off, and bright
\nred lanterns hung throughout the streets.<\/p>\n
Cap Go Meh celebrations are even more festive than New Year's
\nday itself, known here as Imlek.<\/p>\n
\"The first day of spring is usually too cold for any
\nactivities, and only on the 15th day is it comfortable enough to
\ngo out merrymaking,\" Eddy said, explaining that traditional
\nbarongsai (lion dances) and liong (dragon dances) are often
\nperformed during this time.<\/p>\n
A special food, named after the maid Yuan Xiao, is usually
\neaten at this time. Made of rice flour and stuffed with all
\nmanner of delicacies, both sweet and savory, these round
\ndumplings symbolize both the first full moon of the year and the
\ncomplete family union cherished by traditional Chinese.<\/p>\n
In Indonesia this tradition has been replaced by local
\ndelicacies. Especially in Java, a more popular dish eaten during
\nthe festivities is Lontong Cap Go Meh.<\/p>\n
Eaten with opor ayam (chicken cooked in coconut milk), telur
\npindang (seasoned boiled egg), boiled vegetables and powdered
\nsoybeans, the round rice cakes in Lontong Cap Go Meh also
\nsymbolize the same things as Yuan Xiao.<\/p>\n
After the big bash on the 15th day of the new year, things
\nreturn to normal.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/cap-go-meh-celebrations-hope-for-blessings-1447893297",
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