Sweet tradition: A man carrying sugarcane to be used as offerings during prayers for the Jade Emperor’s birthday at the stall along Perak Road, Penang. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Stalks of sugarcane poking out of moving cars have been a common sight here as celebrants rush home to prepare for the Jade Emperor’s birthday.
Sugarcane is an essential part of the celebration which takes place on the ninth day of the Lunar New Year and often regarded as the “Hokkien New Year”.
It is always placed at the altar to signify good luck.
Sugarcane seller Ch’ng Jun Xiong said he had been on his feet all day yesterday helping customers pick their stalks at his stall along Perak Road.
“Business has been great and customers have been coming in despite the mid-afternoon heat,” he said.
He said the stall would source for about 1,200 stalks every year.
Buyers are charged RM20 for a pair of sugarcane stalks.
“The price has not changed. Usually, people do not ask much about the price as sugarcane is essential for the celebration, which only comes once a year.
“Most of them would buy a pair but some would get more for their family or if they have another altar,” said Ch’ng.
He said that they would also help customers cut the sugarcane into smaller pieces to make it easier for them.
“Some do not have the tools to cut it at home. So, by cutting it for them, they can just take it home and wash it,” he said.
Ch’ng said the stall would usually manage to sell off all its stock.
“We are open throughout the eve of the celebration and a half day on the day itself,” he added.
Ooi Yeoh Sim, 53, who has been selling sugarcane for 20 years during Chinese New Year, said the price remained the same this year.
“We sell it at RM10 per stalk and people usually buy two. They need to buy sugarcane as it is integral to the celebration.
“Business is usually good and was the same this year as well,” she said.
Retired hawker Lee Boon Chai, 76, who was seen selecting several stalks, explained that for the Hokkien community, the celebration is more important than the actual Chinese New Year.
“I usually buy two and place it on each side of my house entrance. We believe it is for good luck and to keep us safe in the coming year,” he said.
There were other items that he needed for the celebration as well, such as pineapples, watermelons, bananas, oranges, apples and pears.
“But the most important is the sugarcane,” said Lee.
Fruit stall owner Koay Phaik Hui, 35, said the shop would open for business throughout the celebration as many people tend to buy fruits at the last minute.
“They usually have to buy a pineapple for prayers, then they buy four other fruits which include watermelons, pomelos, bananas and mandarin oranges,” she said.
She said that the pineapples were being sold at RM8 each regardless of size. Those who buy three pineapples would be charged less at RM20.
“Some other shops would sell it based on the weight of the fruit, but I would rather just set the price and let them pick a size that is right for their altar.
“It is an important celebration and I want to provide the best,” she added.
Koay said business seemed slow for now, but she believes it will pick up at the last minute.
“Every year I order 10,000 pineapples and usually only have a few unsold at the end,” she said.
Sugarcane is considered a must-have for the festival because the Hokkiens believe that their ancestors from Fujian province in China survived persecution by Sung Dynasty soldiers by hiding in a sugarcane plantation for nine days during Chinese New Year.
They emerged unharmed on the Jade Emperor’s birthday and believed that they were protected by the god.
Every year, the Hokkien community celebrates the birthday of the Jade Emperor, also known as the God of Heaven, on the ninth day of Chinese New Year.
Festivities usually start on the night of the eighth day of the Lunar New Year.
Hokkien families offer prayers, place offerings to the deity on a makeshift altar in front of their homes, and light firecrackers at midnight.
