Chap Goh Meh Evolves With Time And Aspirations

By Wan Shahara Ahmad Ghazali KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- The Chinese New Year (CNY) celebration is spread over 15 days until the first full moon of the new lunar calendar, with each day having its own highlights. The 15th day, marking the end of the new year celebration, is known as Chap Goh Meh, which in Hokkien literally translates into the 15th night. In Malaysia, Chap Goh Meh were once a grand occasion in Penang and Melaka, and the merriment is evident from the sumptuous dinners, burning of firecrackers, long mahjong sessions, and the lion or dragon dances. Tradition has it that the highlight of Chap Goh Meh night is when the maidens come out dressed in their best and toss mandarin oranges into rivers, lakes or the sea and make a wish for a good life partner. Subsequently, the parents of women eligible for marriage would seek the services of a matchmaker to find a suitor. Also on the auspicious day, according to legend, a god will descend from the heavens to unite the woman with her suitor and tie both their legs together with a red thread so that they will remain together throughout their lives. CHAP GOH ME A PALE AFFAIR UNLIKE PREVIOUSLY The older generation in Penang can still recall the gaiety during Chap Goh Meh, with the trademark Chingay procession in the streets of Georgetown. The Chingay involves floats, acrobatics, walking on stilts, dragon and lion dances and it is unique to Penang culture. Because of traffic congestion in the main streets of Georgetown, the event has been down-sized and limited to the Esplanade or Padang Kota Lama during Chap Goh Meh. Chap Goh Meh in Melaka has been equally unique, with a touch of Baba and Nyonya cultural elements. There was a time when Dondang Sayang groups sang and recited poems on colourful floats that went around the town. However, times have changed, and much of the excitement has died down and not many oranges are tossed nowadays. ENTER THE MODERN CHAP GOH MEH Chap Goh Meh served its purpose well in the days when maidens were not allowed to go out on their own and parents decided on their suitors. Now, with greater freedom, young women have the opportunity to meet and decide on their partners anywhere, anytime, and the undertaking is made much easier by cyberspace. For people like Dennis Loh, however, Chap Goh Meh is still very much relevant in the present day -- not necessarily to look for a suitor, but to renew love relationships and recognise the marriage institution. Loh has found an idea to keep the tradition alive by introducing the Chap Goh Meh Loving Festival Kuala Lumpur, starting in 2000, And catering for singles of both genders. The highlight of the event is that the women will write their names and contact details on oranges and toss them into the lake, to be picked up at random by men who are seeking suitors. Over the last few years, the tradition has taken on a new twist, with men tossing bananas into the lake for the same reason. Loh, the owner of Cheng Pai Events & Solutions, which organises the Festival, noted that at the inaugural festival only 350 people attended, but over the years the number has increased and last year a record number of 20,000 people attended. AN AVENUE TO MEET The "The Chap Goh Meh Loving Festival Kuala Lumpur 2012" takes place at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb 6, at the Taman Tasik Permaisuri in Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras. While in the past, women probably hoped and prayed for days that someone would pick up their orange, but at Tasik Permaisuri those who pick up the orange or banana can immediately make contact, thanks to technology. Loh chose the lake based on its elongated topography that is really suitable for the event, and for its strategic location and adequate space to accommodate up to 20,000 people. "This year we are providing space for three sponsored tents, along with trading booths for 20 vendors and 10 trading booths for charitable organisations. "We like to invite more sponsors to conduct activities within the essence of Chap Goh Meh, like providing the 'tanglung' (lantern) wish boat to be floated on the lake," he explained. Other activities in need of sponsors are the dating venue, wishing tree and lucky draw, with the total value of the prizes at RM2 million. (US$1=RM3.14) Further details on the event can be obtained by contacting the festival organising committee at 016-2720103 (Amelia) or 012-6317638 (Looi) or by logging on to the website at cheng-pai.com/event/chapgohmei. -- BERNAMA