Chinese New Year celebrations muted

By I. Christianto

JAKARTA (JP): Unlike many Chinese societies around the world, most Chinese-Indonesians celebrated the Lunar New Year quietly. They observed the long-awaited day indoors, having dinner with the family and praying in temples, deserting the capital's Chinatown area.

Many of the rich -- who used to travel overseas to see in the Chinese New Year -- also stayed at home, as the falling rupiah had made trips abroad prohibitively expensive.

In fact, many believe this year will perpetuate the tough times unleashed during the year of the tiger (1998), during which unrest and disastrous riots plagued the country.

Tranquility was the dominant mood of the city on Chinese New Year eve. The event had been dogged by overtures of unrest. Rumors proliferating in the city early this year, suggested that the Chinese New Year should be celebrated a month in advance to avoid impending riots.

Of course, the rumors turned out to be groundless. The New Year celebration was held at the usual time. However, as in previous years, dragon dances and other cultural activities remained forbidden: revelry is still taboo. Participants modestly celebrated the event at temples only.

Since the fall of Soeharto last year, the reform movement has expressed little interest in the issue.

Currently, all Chinese cultural activities, including Chinese character texts, remain unwelcome in Indonesia. The government -- the only one in the region with such a policy -- has prohibited Chinese-related tradition based on a 1967 regulation.

In the meantime, sporadic rioting has created greater fears of ethnic violence in the wake of the political-economic turmoil which prompted the warnings for cautious celebration of the Lunar New Year.

Social tensions are ever present. Many Chinese-Indonesians feel uneasy because they are frequently targeted during periods of unrest. Scores of shops, homes and offices -- many owned by ethnic Chinese -- have been destroyed in the riots.

Many believe that Indonesia's ethnic Chinese hold the key to the country's economic recovery. They say that Chinese- Indonesians make up an estimated 5 percent of Indonesia's population of 205 million, but control 70 percent of the country's wealth.

Even though the perception that they dominate the country's commerce is incorrect, nonetheless, envy and expressions of suspicion toward Chinese-Indonesians seem to spread easily in Indonesia. This is partly fueled by the immense wealth of several Chinese barons who maintain close relationships with the authorities, particularly during the previous regime.

Understandably, many Chinese-Indonesians are reluctant to comment on the topic, saying that it is a sensitive issue.

"Chinese New Year? No, I don't want to talk about that," said one man who declined to be named. He refused to comment because he believes the attainment of true democracy remains a dream in Indonesia.

Linda, another Chinese-Indonesian, said that the Chinese New Year should be viewed as a local cultural tradition, since the Chinese tradition is just one of many colorful ethnic beliefs in Indonesia.

"Historically, the Chinese have been in Indonesia for centuries, at least since the period when kingdoms were dispersed across the archipelago. Any restriction (on Chinese New Year celebrations), reflects a discriminatory attitude. Why can't we adopt the attitude of Malaysia which respects the Chinese New Year by making it a public holiday?" she said.

She said the Lunar New Year is a tradition that is not linked to any religion.

Inne, also ethnic Chinese, said that in relation to the ongoing crisis, everybody should be aware that holding any large celebration -- whether for Lunar New Year, a wedding reception or birthday party -- could spark social unrest because of the increasing social divide within Indonesia.

"However, we can't prohibit people from holding a celebration. We can't, for instance, ban people from spending their money shopping," she said.

Based on the Chinese calendar, which combines the Gregorian and lunar-solar calendars, this year of the rabbit is 4697. The New Year celebration, also known popularly as the Spring Festival, is so ancient it's roots cannot be traced.

During festivals elsewhere, traditional food is served, the lucky lion and dragon dancers perform, lanterns and candles are lit and fireworks and other presentations are enjoyed.

Preparation for the Chinese New Year also requires a lot of shopping. People buy presents, decoration materials, food and clothing.

Family gatherings are essential. Children traditionally receive cash wrapped up in red paper packages. There is also an ancient custom which involves married couples giving money in red envelopes to unmarried adults -- an activity which still prevails among some Chinese-Indonesians.

Linda said that the core themes of the season are happiness, wealth, longevity and satisfactory family relations.

The spirit underlying the diverse celebrations of the Chinese New Year is a sincere wish for peace and happiness for family members and friends, she added.