'I bribe Kitchen God for good luck': Penang boy shares his Hokkien heritage

Growing up in a Penang Hokkien household, the writer observes many rituals and traditions associated with Chinese New Year. — Photos: CHESTER CHIN/The Star

Whenever I’m celebrating Chinese New Year with my Hokkien relatives in Penang, there’s always something happening throughout the 15 days of the festive period.

My mother’s side of the family still observes many traditions, rites and rituals that are associated with Chinese New Year. For instance, we would “bribe” the kitchen god with thnee kuih (sweet glutinous rice cakes) so that he only reports good things about the household.