Visitors find fading traditions thriving in Penang’s celebrations
GEORGE TOWN: More people in China are choosing to stay away from their villages and families during Chinese New Year, says Chinese national and businessman Xue Gang, 44.
“Our parents do not mind, and even my parents are currently travelling around China.
“Maybe next year I will bring them to Penang to witness the celebrations here,” he said.
Xue, who was in Penang with his wife, daughter and friends, said festive performances were no longer common to enjoy back home.
“If we want to watch performances and celebrations, we have to take a train to Shanghai, the closest major city to where we live.
“While it is nearby, it can be crowded, and most of the time we skip it,” he said.
Instead, the group of seven chose to spend the festive break in Malaysia.
“It is cold back home now, and we heard good things about Malaysia.
“We are surprised by how grand the celebrations are here.
“Malaysians still follow many of the traditions that we have stopped observing,” he said.
On Tuesday, at Shangri-La Rasa Sayang in Batu Ferringhi, hotel guests were treated to acrobatic lion dances, a mask-changing performance, and a dragon dance set to the sound of giant drums.
The lion dance troupe paraded throughout the resorts, spreading blessings to guests and associates, accompanied by performers dressed as the God of Prosperity and the Laughing Buddha.
Li Liangyu, 34, who is in Penang with her husband, Han Bin, 38, and daughter Yun Xi, three, said her family wanted to escape the cold in Henan province and spend time by the beach.
“We used to celebrate back home, but since the birth of our daughter, we have chosen to travel and introduce her to different places, particularly those with a beach.”
“It can be cold during this time, so last year we took her to Singapore, and this year we chose Penang,” said the actress.
Li said she had expected a simple celebration.
“We were surprised by the local scene and how grandly they celebrate Chinese New Year.
“There are a lot of colours, decorations and performances,” she said.
Li said she was particularly surprised that even hotels held lion dances and other performances.
“Back home, other than having a reunion dinner with family, we do not do much.
“We just spend time with friends and relax.
“If we want to watch performances, we have to go to specific places,” she said.
Shangri-La Rasa Sayang and Golden Sands resorts communication director Datuk Suleiman Tunku Abdul Rahman said the hotels ushered in the Year of the Horse with a line-up of festive celebrations.
“We invited guests to experience the rich traditions and joyous spirit of the Chinese New Year,” he said.
“The celebration included the traditional lion eye-dotting ceremony, multiple performances and a yee sang tossing ceremony.”
Festive devotion: People making prayer offerings at Guan Di Temple in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown on the first day of Chinese New Year celebrations. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
Galloping into prosperity: (From left) Colleagues Marcus Tong, Lim Sher Lyn, and Lim Shi Yen, all 24 and born in the Year of the Horse, celebrating amid vibrant Chinese New Year decorations at Sunway Pyramid Mall. — SAMUEL ONG/The Star
Family ties: (From left) Cousins Nurhidayatulain Osman, Nur Syahrina Khalid, Leun Ming Mei and Asyura Safiyya Lapang posing for photos as they celebrate the Lunar New Year together. The women, whose mothers are sisters, share a close-knit family connection. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
Horsing around: A pony delighting visitors at Sunway Lagoon as festive lanterns and performers in costumes set the Chinese New Year mood. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
Tiny dancers: (From left) Nine-year-old Xin Yi, six-year-old Jensen Fong, and nine-year-old Hou Ting practising their lion dance on the first day of Chinese New Year in front of an old house in Kg Baru Salak Selatan, Kuala Lumpur. The children, orphans from the Jing Sun Welfare society, are part of the society’s lion dance troupe. — ART CHEN/The Star
