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When last year the ban to celebrate Chinese New Year in public places was lifted, many people were happy. Some even went as far as sending in a petition, to make this auspicious day a national holiday.
"That's too much," said Peter, "why should it be a national holiday when only three percent of the population celebrate it? Moreover, although celebrations in public places are allowed, it will never be the same again." And he went on to tell us how it was in the old days, when on New Year's day people were free to celebrate with lots of fireworks and lavish meals. The lion and dragon dances, the street performers, but above all the spectacular chingay procession seem to be unforgettable for him, but with the economic situation as it is, the money spent on such celebrations should better be given to the poor. To prepare for the New Year's day Peter took me Glodok, Jakarta's Chinatown or rather what is left of it.
We were welcomed by loud music from the loudspeakers, women singing songs in Mandarin with their shrill voices. The vendors on the five foot way here sell everything from gold and red decorations for the house to ikan bandeng (milkfish), the fish that replaces the carp, usually cooked in China and forms part of the menu on New Year's day.
"Shouldn't we buy some pussy willows, they say that it symbolizes endurance and strength," I asked Peter, but we were appalled by the high price the vendor asked.
"Sedap malam flowers will do," said Peter, "it's for the spirits and I am sure Indonesian spirits prefer fragrance above whatever pussy willows symbolizes. At least they will understand, that we can't afford imported goods."
Chinese New Year or Imlek as it is called in Indonesia is celebrated to herald the arrival of the spring. Weeks before, the Chinese have prepared themselves for this very important event. Debts are settled and houses are cleaned and sweet delicacies are made to be served to the guests.
When I visited him the next day, after having paid respect to my 100 year old mother, Peter received me in his elegantly decorated house and offered me a piece of his home made kueh lapis (layer cake) and other cakes, and a refreshing drink made of Bird's nest and dried fruits. Not exactly chinese, but they have been adopted by the Chinese Indonesians as their traditional treats. When I asked him why I didn't get a hong bao, he answered: "You don't qualify, because you are not a child, you are not single or widowed and you are not old enough."
However, when a young lady walked in, clad in a red tight fitting cheong sam, he handed her one.
She thanked him and put it carelessly in her bag, mumbling that she would use it for charity. We were outraged by such rudeness, where upon she then said loudly: "Chinese New Year will never be the same again, at least not for me. in fact it was better during the New Order."
All the guests looked at each other in disbelief. How dare she say that! But she gave her answer: "I used to get a big hongbao from my boss every year."
Well, we did not want to know who that boss of hers was, but we were quite curious how generous he was.
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