Semarang's Chinese set to celebrate 'Imlek'

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.