The intriguing tale of deliverance behind the Hokkien New Year
The ninth day of the first lunar calendar holds particular significance for the Hokkien people, a subgroup of the Chinese community. Some traditionalists would even venture as far as to say that it is much more important than the Chinese New Year day itself because on that day, the entire Hokkien clan was spared from being massacred. They believe it was the Jade Emperor, also known as the God of Heaven, who protected them. Thus, the celebration of this day is marked with heightened grandeur, particularly in Penang, surpassing the observance of the first day of the lunar calendar.
If you find yourself in Penang on the eve of the celebrations, make your way to the clan jetties nestled in the heart of George Town. Here, you can partake in the festivities and behold a mammoth offering table laden with delectable treats dedicated to the God of Heaven.
There are various versions of the Hokkien Pai Ti Kong (praying to the God of Heaven) story. A prevalent version recounts a tragic event occurring in the 16th century, amidst the Ming Dynasty. During this era, the popularity of oceanic travel led to a proliferation of cargo ships navigating the seas towards trading ports. This gave rise to marauding pirates who took to the seas to haul their bounty, especially along the bustling stretch along the east coast of China. In this narrative, a notorious incident unfolded on a Chinese New Year day when a group of ruthless pirates pillaged the east coast village in Fujian Province, where the Hokkien community resided. Striking from all directions, they mercilessly rampaged through the village, leaving no one spared in their path.
Fearing for their lives, the villagers fled and hid in a nearby sugarcane plantation. They prayed to the God of Heaven for deliverance. Despite days of relentless pursuit by the intruders, the villagers remained elusive, concealed amidst the sugarcane fields. On the ninth day of that Chinese New Year, the invaders finally gave up and departed from the village.
In a spirit of gratitude, the Hokkiens emerged from the sugarcane fields, expressing profound thanks to the God of Heaven for answering their prayers and ensuring their safety. Realising that that joyful day coincided with the God's birthday (Thee Kong Seh), the Hokkiens initiated the tradition of making votive and prayer offerings grander to commemorate the occasion. This marked the inception of the annual celebration on the ninth day of the first lunar month. However, Thee Kong Seh was observed way before the ethnocide.
In the lunar calendar, the day actually starts at 11:00 pm. The Hokkiens would usually start their prayers at 11:00 pm on the eighth day, although preparations would usually have started well in advance for the auspicious occasion.
Preparation for the festivities commence on the morning of the eighth day. The Hokkiens make their way to the market, procuring essential items integral to the celebration. These include fresh sugarcane stalks, a whole roasted pig (for those with the means), cooked meats, Ti Kuih (sweet sticky rice cakes), Ang Koo (red tortoise cakes), Mee Koo (vibrant magenta-coloured buns), Huat Kuih (light and airy steamed cupcakes fashioned from fermented rice flour), Bee Koh (rice pudding), miniature sugared pagodas in a striking pink hue, as well as an array of fruits and fresh flowers. Each of these items bears symbolic significance, epitomising abundance and auspicious fortune, making them indispensable components of the celebration.
During this festive time of the year, you would see long stalks of sugarcanes being sold all over Penang especially at bustling market areas. It is to witness the ingenuity with which these extended stalks are being cleverly positioned in a car, protruding out of the rear window or balanced skilfully on a motorcycle!
On the auspicious night, the Hokkiens express gratitude by presenting a meticulously adorned table filled with prosperous-sounding gifts for the God of Heaven. A customary practice involves affixing a pair of lengthy sugarcane stalks to the sides of the offering altar or table. They symbolise unity and harmony as well as cooperation and strength. Together, they are a token of anticipation for fruitful and "sweet" outcomes.
Certain festive fruits also make an appearance on the offering table and are aptly decorated with red paper cuttings, usually with auspicious Chinese characters on them. Cuttings of red pineapple “flowers” are a popular sight as well. Everything is well curated and nothing is left to chance.
Hokkien businessmen take the festival quite seriously – their lavish and generous offerings of thanksgiving, some votive in nature, are thought to reflect their hope of prosperity in the year ahead. Thus, they do not cut corners and go all out to celebrate with abundance.
Integral to this celebration are the meticulously folded piles of "gold paper", colloquially known as Kim Chua, fashioned into the shapes of ancient ingots. They are set ablaze in a bonfire, constituting a thanksgiving offering to the Jade Emperor. As the gold "ingots" burn, family members would add the sugarcane stalks from the altars into the towering flames.
There will be fireworks and thundering firecrackers to mark the beginning of the ninth day of Chinese New Year as well as the joyous reminder celebrating the deliverance of the Hokkiens. It is also believed that fireworks would scare away evil spirits, creating an atmosphere conducive to the flourishing of peace and prosperity.
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Written and photographed by Adrian Cheah
© All rights reserved.
Updated 15 February 2024
PS: Several of the photographs accompanying this story capture poignant moments from the annual celebrations held at the home of a dear friend. It was a cherished tradition where some of my friends and I would gather to revel in the festivities of the Hokkien New Year. Sadly, Lee Lock Soon departed from us in March 2023. To my dear Lock Soon, your absence is deeply felt and your memory is held with fondness and love. Gone too soon, yet always in our hearts.