For the Hokkiens/Fujian people of Southern China, the 9th day of the new Year is celebrated as a more important day than the 1st. Preparation begins on the 8th for the big feast on the 9th.Accordingly, robbers invaded the people, and they hid in the sugar cane fields. They believe that the Jade Emperor, the King of heavens protected them. Some say the sugar cane were "cutty cutty" and the robbers didn't bother to look in the sugar cane field.
Every year, on the 8th evening, the Hokkiens will adorn the entrance of their house with a pair of sugar cane. The sugar cane is a symbol of of how they were saved from the invasion.
When I first went to Singapore more than 20 years ago, I was unaware of this festival, and wanted to buy pig's leg. The butcher told me none was available because the Hokkiens have bought it all.
* Cutty cutty is a New Zealand term for grass or reeds with sharp serrated edges that will cut you when you go among it.
I am linking my blog post for Heather, whose son was murdered. They are trying to get a bill to pass Cameron's law to make eye witnesses to be responsible.
http://annkitsuetchin.blogspot.co.nz/2014/01/support-bill-for-camerons-law.html
https://www.facebook.com/CameronsLaw/info
1 comment:
Interesting custom.
Never knew sugar cane are also have historical cultural heritage.
Cheers!
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