7 Traditions Conducted In Indonesia During Chinese New Year Celebration

Illustration of Chinese New Year lanterns (Pexels / Rodnae Production)

JAKARTA - The habits carried out every year when the Chinese New Year celebrations will change this year due to the pandemic. In order to remain wiser in responding to events that occur globally, those of you who are celebrating certainly need adjustments.

As a reference, here are the Chinese New Year traditions that are carried out both with close family and relatives by following health protocols.

Chinese New Year tradition in Indonesia

Some customs of Chinese New Year celebrations in Indonesia may be different from those in China and in other geocultures, for example Malaysia and Vietnam. In Indonesia, there are the following Chinese New Year traditions:

Gathering with family

Like Eid day, celebrating Chinese New Year also has a tradition of gathering with family. People who live or work outside the city will consider Chinese New Year a special day and travel home to meet their extended family.

However, during a pandemic it seems that this habit can be done conditionally, especially in Indonesia, namely by carrying a health certificate.

Eat milkfish

Fish symbolizes happiness and good luck. The Chinese New Year tradition in Indonesia is celebrated by eating milkfish called Nian Nian Yu Yi. The way to eat milkfish is also very symbolic, because when one side is eaten you can't turn it over.

Usually, milkfish is not consumed right away. The fish will be saved for the next day. This symbolizes an inexhaustible sustenance.

Prepare some other food

Foods that are always on the table during Chinese New Year include basket cakes, oranges, and layer cakes. Apart from that there is the Yu Shang tradition. The Yu Shang tradition is that in one large plate containing several foods, including salmon, lonak, oranges, nuts, lime leaves, pickled ginger, peppers, nuts, plums, and noodles.

Cleaning the house a few days before the celebration

According to tradition, the day before Chinese New Year the house must be clean. A clean house and open doors and windows symbolize openness in welcoming sustenance, luck and positive energy.

Haircut

Haircut connotes throwing away bad luck. Cutting hair done a few days before the Chinese New Year celebration is also considered to increase optimism in welcoming the new year.

Apart from hereditary habits that symbolize good luck, happiness, and prosperity, there are 2 taboos that you shouldn't do during Chinese New Year celebrations or just before the new year.

Abstinence during Chinese New Year

The first prohibition, not eating porridge and food with soup. According to belief, this prohibition during Chinese New Year can affect bad luck.

Furthermore, the taboo for the second Chinese New Year is sweeping the house the day before until five days after the celebration. In fact, cleaning tools such as floor sweeps, for example, will be hidden because the Chinese New Year must be welcomed with joy and not allowed to clean the house.

According to ancient Chinese belief, cleaning the house by sweeping the floor during the day or on New Year's Day can make sustenance washed away from the house.