JP/5/IMLEK

JP/5/IMLEK

'Imlek' celebration meaningless without 'barongsai'

Hasrul
The Jakarta Post
Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi

Dozens of red oil lamps neatly lined a corner of the Eka Dharma
Manggala Temple here, giving the large building a merry
appearance.

The smell of incense mixed with the aroma of Chinese New Year,
or Imlek, cakes a day prior to the Imlek celebrations. Three
caretakers of the temple, with radiant smiles, greeted several
guests.

Members of the Confucianist community slowly started to arrive
from every corner of the city, bringing with them various items.

Liong, 67, a resident of the city, was one of the visitors
descending on the temple on Wednesday afternoon to pray and see
first-hand the preparations for the Imlek celebration.

He said he had lived in Kendari for a long time and was happy
the Chinese community was now free to celebrate Imlek.

Liong's statement could be considered as also representing the
sentiments of more than 1,000 ethnic Chinese in Kendari.

Several years ago, this community was only able to Imlek
quietly with their families at home, because of the New Order
regime's restrictions on Chinese culture.

But he was a bit concerned because it was a day before Imlek
and he had not yet received any news about the appearance of a
barongsai (lion) dance troupe at the celebrations. For the ethnic
Chinese, Imlek is a tradition full of religious rituals and
ceremonies, but it does not feel complete without a lion dance
and fireworks.

"Without the barongsai, Imlek would seem bland," he said.

Jemmy, a student in Kendari, said he had only seen the lion
dance on TV.

"I hope our elders can perform the barongsai dance here," he
said.

Robert Setiawan, an official at the Eka Dharma Manggala
Temple, said the barongsai could not be performed in Kendari
because there were obstacles to procuring the equipment needed
for the lion dance.

Besides, only a few members of the Chinese community in
Kendari have mastered the dance. As for a fireworks display, no
one wants to be responsible for that.

"Now there are no restrictions on expression. Every member of
a religion can practice their religious rituals freely, provided
that they abide by the rules and regulations," said Kadir
Sapaile, head of the Southeast Sulawesi Nation Unity Body.

The peak of the Imlek celebrations in Kendari will be marked
by the prayer to close the year, the Ti Sik. This will be
followed by the New Year's prayer, or Sin Cia.

"Precisely at midnight when we begin the Chinese New Year,
followers will pray together," said Robert.

The Eka Dharma Manggala and Dmaedy temples on Jl. R. Supratman
in Kendari are expected to be packed for the ceremonies.

Worshipers will perform prayers and offer fruits and
vegetables to the gods and their ancestors.