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means night to 15 which is the 15th of the first month, which is called in the dialect of Hokkien cia gwee cap go.
This celebration is the culmination of a series of celebrations at the same time cover the Imlek New Year celebration. In Indonesia alone, since the first one
is more familiar with the term Cap Go Meh than another term although in the original version.
2.2 Traditional Foods
More food is consumed by Indonesian Chinese families during the New Year celebration than at any other holiday. As it is considered bad luck to cook on
New Years Day itself, food is prepared the day before. Chinese believe that what you do on New Years Day will reflect on your life in the coming year, so most
housewives do not want to take a chance of being chained to the oven. The large number of traditional dishes prepared is also meant to symbolize abundance and
wealth for the household. Kue keranjang was originally named as Nien Kao or Ni-Kwee or Yearly
Cake or Seasonal Cake, because they are only made once a year. In East Java
, this cake was named Kue Keranjang because the wrapper is made from
a bamboo
basket with a little hole in the middle. In West Java
, it was named China Cake, as the origin of the cake from
China , but some call it China Cake
because the producers are Chinese. Kue Keranjang or Basket Cake is a cake that is made from glutinous flour and sugar. It has an elastic and sticky texture. This
kind of cake is prepared for Imlek celebrations. Kue keranjang was used as an offering to spirits, just before New Year Jie Sie Siang Ang until the day of
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Imlek. As an offering, this cake should not be eaten until Chap Goh Meh
15 days after Imlek. People believe that the cake was given to satisfy
Dewa Tungku , who
was supposed to deliver a report to the Heavenly King Yu Huang Da Di
. The shape is round, symbolizing unity and peace.
Most traditional dishes served on Chinese New Year are chosen for the significance of their name or appearance.
One required dish is a whole fish. Fish in Chinese is yu which sounds similar to the word meaning surplus or abundance. A whole fish must be served as this
represents family togetherness. Oysters are also a favorite. In Cantonese the word oyster sounds like the word that means good business. In Cantonese shrimp is
pronounced ha, which to the Chinese sounds like laughter so it also often included. Clams are another favorite, as they open up when cooked, symbolizing
the opening of new horizons. Indonesian Chinese whose ancestors come from Shanghai serve egg skin dumplings which are thought to look like gold ingots and
glass noodles are thought to resemble silver chains, which earn them a place at the festive meal. Bean sprouts are another favorite. They are said to resemble a
traditional scepter-like art object called ruyi, which means to your hearts content, symbolizing a great way to start a New Year. The word for black moss
seaweed sounds similar to the word for exceeding in wealth. Lotus seeds are believed to signify having many male offspring, which is much desired in a
Chinese family. Chicken is considered a symbol of prosperity. The chicken however, should be presented with the head, tail and feet to symbolize
completeness. Noodles are also considered a necessity but should be uncut as in this state they represent long life.
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Ethnic-Chinese who have immigrated to Indonesian from the northern part of China serve jiaozi or meat-filled dumplings. The pronunciation of this word
sounds like a word meaning meeting of the last hour of the old year with the first hour of the new. In the southern regions of China, nian gao is an important part
of the festivities. Indonesian Chinese from these regions serve this sweet rice pudding for their New Years festivities. Another popular delicacy is Zong zi,
glutinous rice wrapped up in reed leaves. Some celebrants place stalks of sugar cane behind their doors, as the height and section-upon-section construction of the
sweet stalks represents the familys hope for a ladder-like ascent to new levels of glory in the coming year.
A candy tray is considered a necessity on the coffee table of any Chinese home, for visiting family members and expected guests. The tray should be
circular or octagonal in shape and is called the Tray of Togetherness, symbolizing the familys sweet start of the New Year. Items on the tray are
intentionally chosen for symbolic good fortune. Candied melon is symbolic of growth and good health. Melon seeds are dyed red to symbolize joy, happiness,
truth and sincerity. Lychee nuts are thought to ensure strong family relationships. Kumquat represents prosperity while coconut symbolizes togetherness. Peanuts
are thought to represent long life. Longan are believed to bring many good sons and lotus seeds many children. In very traditional families after taking several
pieces of candy from the tray, adults place a red envelope containing money, Ang Pao, in the center of the tray to wish good fortune for the family.
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Just as some foods are always served on Imlek New Year, there are other foods that are to be avoided for their perceived bad meanings. One of them is tofu.
Chinese believe that white is the color of death and misfortune, so tofu is never included in the Imlek New Year meal as it might cause bad fortune to fall upon
family members.
2.3 Before Imlek New Year
