The multicultural nature of Malaysia never fails to present me with something new to see and think about. On this occassion it was Chinese celebrations for a new home and a new baby. I belong to a group called the Garden Ladies (some of which are shown above), who regularly exercise together in Taman Merdeka, Johor Bahru. One of the group had just moved into her new home, and we were invited around to help celebrate. Being Chinese, they marked this event with firecrackers, fireworks, and Chinese lion dancers etc. Sadly, I did not bring my camera to this event so my iPhone 6 shots will have to do.
First, the orange lion put on a tremendous show of balance, hurtling across these pillars some 6 ft off the ground accompanied by drums, etc.
Next it was the turn of the pink lions who seemed more like lion cubs. Their job was to present gifts to the house owners (plates of mandarin orange segments in Chinese calligraphy patterns) and two of them entered the house to bring good fortune. They were also accompanied by fireworks, noisy musicians, and enthusiastic singers.
Finally it was time for the 'fluffy lions’. They looked very much like the barong you see in Indonesia, and just like all the other lions before them, they were so expressive!
I managed to take some video too which shows the skill of these performers….
Today my friend also hosted a Full Moon Party. Even today, new Chinese mothers often continue the practise of confinement for one month, where mother and baby stay at home for one month after the birth of the baby. The party is held to celebrate that the baby has survived the first month of their life, and this is known as the Full Moon Party. There are many superstitions relating to what to do and what not to do during pregnancy and immediately after birth, and many of these superstitions relate to what you can eat. Special foods are prepared which are region-specific, but some things seem constant among Chinese communities and they are red eggs boiled in vinegar with ginger. When I worked in Hong Kong, I always looked forward to the exotic boiled egg mixture which would appear after a member of staff had given birth! It wasn’t to everyone’s taste mind you.
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