Chinese New Year Festival
Thailand is the home for people of many races.Because of Buddhism,Thailand is so tolerant that each group of people can perform their traditional and cultural activities freely.I am writing to tell you how the Chinese-Thais,one of the largest groups,celebrate their New Year'sDay.
Chinese New Year's Day normally falls on the first day of the first lunar month(between the month of January and March).The Chinese New Year celebration was first introduced in the king's court in the reign of King Rama lll (1824-1851) of the Chakri Dynasty. Members of the royal family and nobillity congregated to enjoy a feast bestowed by the Chinese community in gratitude for the hospitality extended to them. Today Chinese New Year is one of the most well known annual festivals and feasts celebrated by Sino-Thai.(Tourism Authority of Thailand,2002:4)
Although it is not a public holiday,most private organizations close their businesses for several days so that employers and their employees are able to celebrate this occasion with their families at home or go on holyday.
The ancient Chinese believed in spirits and the power of gods,so they used this occasion to pay homage to them and hoped for in return,a good year,a fruitful harvest,progress in their work etc.When the New Year approaches,there is also a major house-cleaning operation and nobody works during the celebration.The Chines-Thais prepare various traditional foods and presents,including offerings to the gods and spirits.This festival usually lasts three days called "Wan Jhai","Wan Wai"and "Wan Thur".
"Wan Jhai"(pay day)is the day before New Year's Eve when people pay and go shopping to prepare things for the celebration,so the city traffic is very heavy.
Being the last day of the year."Wan Wai"(offering day)starts with offerings to the gods in the morning,followed by offerings to ancestors and then offerings to homeless spirits.Offerings on New Year's Day are called "Wai Wan Chew Id".In the ceremony they pay homage to "Chai Sing Ear",the god of luck.Offered items are dry jelly noodles,dry bamboo shoots,dry black fungi,dry seaweed,dry mushroom,5 cups of Chinese tea,5 bowis of red Ei snack,5 different fruits,3 joss sticks and a pair of Chiness candles.All are placed on an offering table looking eastward.
"Wan Thur"(travelling day)is the Chinese New Year day when people customarily speak good things,do only good acts and praise each other with good words like "Sin Jeer Yu Ei,Sin Nee Haud Chai" which means "Have a happy New Year".The day is also known as "Wan Thiew" or a day for travelling,and many people use their"Ang Pao"money to travel.
To visit senior relatives in the Chinese community is a universal practice. Moreover,people especially like to exchange oranges,as an orange is a symblo of "good luck". Visitors are also welcomed with the traditional Ei snack.
If you want to join this festival,you can go to Yaowarat Road in Bangkok which is known as China Town,or take a trip to Nakhon Sawan Province in the central part of Thailand.The most exciting feature is the Dragon Dance with colorful lights and sounds.It is intended to pay homan beings.Each year thousands of visitors come to see the celebrations which include parades,the lion dance competition,Chinese opera,food fairs,shopping bazaars and other cultural pertormances designed to provide enjoyment to all.
I do hope you’ll have an opportunity to visit
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