Called Better Than Basket Cake, This Is The History Of Chinese Ciu Pia Chinese Cake

JAKARTA - One of the things to look forward to when celebrating Chinese New Year is eating a typical Chinese cake. It turns out that there is something that is no less delicious and some even say it is more delicious than basket cake, namely the tiong ciu pia cake or more popularly known as the moon cake. This cake is also more special because there is a special anniversary every year. How is the history?

Made from sweet and dense pastry skin, tiong ciu pia has various contents in it. Starting from red beans, sesame or lotus seeds, while on it is carved Chinese characters that contain longevity greetings or harmony.

In addition, to represent the full moon, this cake usually contains salted egg yolk. This cake is so special that it is usually only eaten at certain times such as on National Bank Holidays.

It is so special that there is even one day devoted to eating this food, namely on the 15th of the 8th month of the Chinese calendar or on 1 October. People call that day the Mid-Autumn Festival. So why is this cake so special?

Like most Chinese customs, the origins of the moon cake date back to ancient times. As quoted by Chinatown.co.uk, moon cakes existed during the overthrow of the Mongol dynasty.

In the 13th century Kublai Khan successfully invaded China and founded the Yuan dynasty. Kublai Khan was seen as an authoritarian regime that restricted Chinese citizens until their doors were guarded by Mongol troops.

Irritated by the regime's behavior, a rebellious movement emerged. One of the most trusted people of the rebel leader, Liu Bowen, suggested the rebellion coincided with the Mid-Autumn Festival.

At that time, they received permission to distribute moon cakes to the citizens as a blessing for the long life of the Mongol emperor. However, the cake turned out to be a message of rebellion. It read: "kill the Mongols on the 15th day of the eighth month." Because the Mongols did not eat mooncakes, their plan was successful and the Mongols were overthrown.

The event was later commemorated as the Mid-Autumn Festival. The name ciu pia tiong cake itself comes from the Hokkien dialect which means the middle of the month in autumn. Tiong means 'middle', ciu 'autumn' and pia the name of a type of cake that is moon-shaped and filled. The party is none other than eating Chinese ciu pia cake or moon cake.

In Indonesia, people of Chinese descent usually gather and distribute moon cakes to their extended families, as a means of strengthening family ties. Moon cakes were also distributed to friends and business associates. Giving moon cakes is a symbol of prayer and good wishes, namely harmony and prosperity for the recipient.

Restaurants, hotels and cake shops sell mooncakes when the Autumn Festival comes. Most of the shapes are still typical of traditional moon cakes, which are round, symbolizing the integrity of the family.