Chinese New Year celebrations muted

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.