Semarang's Chinese set to celebrate 'Imlek'
Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Semarang
Beads of sweat trickle down Hui Liam's face while he dusts the small statues in front of him with a brush.
"I've been assigned to clean these gods statues this year," said Hui at the Tay Kak Sie Temple on Gang Lombok, Semarang, on Thursday.
Dozens of other Chinese-Indonesians were preoccupied, sprucing up altars in the temple where huge statues of gods of the Confucian faith typical of a Chinese temple were placed.
Four people were seen polishing a brass urn used to place joss sticks to worship the Ruler of the Universe: the Sky Diety, Earth Deity and Water Deity right at the entrance to the temple.
In other parts of the temple, three middle-aged ladies were carefully placing wreaths on auxiliary statues of the God of Good Health Poo Seng Tay Tee in another room.
"They are Poo Seng Tay Tee's assistants in handling matters relating to warding off misfortune, healing and medicine," said one of the ladies.
After adorning the statues, they bowed and clasped their hands together in reverence.
Such activities were commonplace in several other temples in Semarang's Chinatown area such as the Ling Hok Bio, Wie Hwei Kiong, See Hoo Kiong, Tek Hay Bio, Tong Pek Bio, Siu Hok Bio, Hoo Hok Bio, Kong Tik Soe and Cetya Setia Budhi Dharma temples. Tri Dharma devotees were seen busy repainting and cleaning their temple.
The Indonesian-Chinese community in Semarang will hold the 2005 Imlek Semawis Festival in Chinatown from Feb. 5 to Feb. 8 to mark the 2556 Chinese New Year.
A replica of a giant rooster made by Oie Eng Tek was ordered by the Kopi Semawis community to mark the Year of the Rooster. It was paraded from Seteran Tengah village to Chinatown passing through main thoroughfares; a spectacle for thousands of onlookers.
The organizer of the festival, Benita Eka Arijani of Capung Organizer, said that there would be several stands offering Chinese traditional food such as moon cake, pork satay, titee noodles, ca kwe, jun herbal drink; not to mention local fare such as gudeg (unripe jackfruit cooked in coconut milk and served with eggs and chicken) and nasi pecel (steamed rice served with steamed vegetables and peanut sauce).
"There will be 160 stands selling Chinese medicine, drinks, Imlek decorations, alternative medicine, and traditional arts such as Siang Dji chess and feng shui consultations. We will also stage the lion dance, wushu and Mandarin singing performances, including the drama Sam Pek Eng Tay," said Benita.
A senior Chinese-Indonesian figure, Sindu Dharmalie, expressed happiness that the traditions, arts and beliefs of the Chinese community were now more accepted by Indonesians at large.
"Actually, we Indonesians all practice 'imported' religions. The traditional faith in Java is Kejawen (mysticism associated with the Javanese view of the world). So, now that this faith from China has been accepted -- not restricted anymore, as it was during the New Order regime -- I'm very pleased. Everyone receives equal treatment," said Sindu.
He sees the coming festival benefiting many people, "Pedicab drivers, hotels, taxi drivers and those selling food and goods will all gain from this festival."
He also reiterated that every Chinese-Indonesian should understand the teaching of Confucius that "Where one is born is ones motherland and nationality."
"Indonesia is our motherland and we're certainly a part of the Indonesian people. It's just like Australians are to the United Kingdom. They are no longer British-oriented, as we are no longer linked to mainland China," he said.