CHAP GOH MEH EVOLVES WITH TIME AND ASPIRATIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- The Chinese New Year (CNY) celebration is

spread over 15 days until the first full moon of the new lunar calendar, with

each day having its own highlights.

The 15th day, marking the end of the new year celebration, is known as Chap

Goh Meh, which in Hokkien literally translates into the 15th night.

In Malaysia, Chap Goh Meh were once a grand occasion in Penang and Melaka,

and the merriment is evident from the sumptuous dinners, burning of

firecrackers, long mahjong sessions, and the lion or dragon dances.

Tradition has it that the highlight of Chap Goh Meh night is when the

maidens come out dressed in their best and toss mandarin oranges into rivers,

lakes or the sea and make a wish for a good life partner.

Subsequently, the parents of women eligible for marriage would seek the

services of a matchmaker to find a suitor.

Also on the auspicious day, according to legend, a god will descend from the

heavens to unite the woman with her suitor and tie both their legs together with

a red thread so that they will remain together throughout their lives.

CHAP GOH ME A PALE AFFAIR UNLIKE PREVIOUSLY

The older generation in Penang can still recall the gaiety during Chap Goh

Meh, with the trademark Chingay procession in the streets of Georgetown.

The Chingay involves floats, acrobatics, walking on stilts, dragon and lion

dances and it is unique to Penang culture.

Because of traffic congestion in the main streets of Georgetown, the event

has been down-sized and limited to the Esplanade or Padang Kota Lama during Chap

Goh Meh.

Chap Goh Meh in Melaka has been equally unique, with a touch of Baba and

Nyonya cultural elements.

There was a time when Dondang Sayang groups sang and recited poems on

colourful floats that went around the town.

However, times have changed, and much of the excitement has died down and

not many oranges are tossed nowadays.

ENTER THE MODERN CHAP GOH MEH

Chap Goh Meh served its purpose well in the days when maidens were not

allowed to go out on their own and parents decided on their suitors.

Now, with greater freedom, young women have the opportunity to meet and

decide on their partners anywhere, anytime, and the undertaking is made much

easier by cyberspace.

For people like Dennis Loh, however, Chap Goh Meh is still very much

relevant in the present day -- not necessarily to look for a suitor, but to

renew love relationships and recognise the marriage institution.

Loh has found an idea to keep the tradition alive by introducing the Chap

Goh Meh Loving Festival Kuala Lumpur, starting in 2000, And catering for singles

of both genders.

The highlight of the event is that the women will write their names and

contact details on oranges and toss them into the lake, to be picked up at

random by men who are seeking suitors.

Over the last few years, the tradition has taken on a new twist, with men

tossing bananas into the lake for the same reason.

Loh, the owner of Cheng Pai Events & Solutions, which organises the

Festival, noted that at the inaugural festival only 350 people attended, but

over the years the number has increased and last year a record number of 20,000

people attended.

AN AVENUE TO MEET

The "The Chap Goh Meh Loving Festival Kuala Lumpur 2012" takes place at 6

p.m. on Monday, Feb 6, at the Taman Tasik Permaisuri in Bandar Tun Razak,

Cheras.

While in the past, women probably hoped and prayed for days that someone

would pick up their orange, but at Tasik Permaisuri those who pick up the orange

or banana can immediately make contact, thanks to technology.

Loh chose the lake based on its elongated topography that is really suitable

for the event, and for its strategic location and adequate space to accommodate

up to 20,000 people.

"This year we are providing space for three sponsored tents, along with

trading booths for 20 vendors and 10 trading booths for charitable

organisations.

"We like to invite more sponsors to conduct activities within the essence of

Chap Goh Meh, like providing the ''tanglung'' (lantern) wish boat to be floated on

the lake," he explained.

Other activities in need of sponsors are the dating venue, wishing tree and

lucky draw, with the total value of the prizes at RM2 million.

Further details on the event can be obtained by contacting the festival

organising committee at 016-2720103 (Amelia) or 012-6317638 (Looi) or by logging

on to the website at cheng-pai.com/event/chapgohmei.

-- BERNAMA

SAG PR CR INE CR