Chinese New Year celebration in Indonesia 2011

As one of the most important festivals in Indonesia, Chinese New Year got its

recognition inform of a national holiday recently, in the year 2002. The Chinese New Year in Indonesia is also known as Imlek. The festival is celebrated with various traditions and customs, which have been carried forward d by the Chinese through the years. The immigrants who are the residents of Indonesia now, celebrate the festival with great enthusiasm.

Traditions for Chinese New Year in Indonesia:

The country is known for its grand New Year celebrations. The festival begins with the New Moon and ends with the Full Moon. The festival is also known as the “Spring Festival” and “Lunar New Year”. Some of the best traditions followed in the country on the occasion of Chinese New Year are:

Chinese New Year Day tradition in Indonesia:

Chinese New Year Day in 2011 in Indonesia will also begin with the various customs that have been followed since years in the country. Waking up early on the New Year Day is a custom as sleeping late might make you lazy for the entire year ahead. After this, every one goes out of the bedroom, dressed in fresh clothes, to wish each other well on the occasion of New Year. The kids of the house wish all elders “Gong Xi Fa Cai” or ‘Wishing you prosperity”. In return to this, parents and elders give ‘Ang poa’to the kids. ‘Ang poa’are money gifts in red colored envelop.

Visiting temples is an important part of the Chinese New Year celebration in Indonesia. Families visit the nearby temples in the evenings and offer their prayers and light candles. They pray to God of love and mercy, called Kwan Im. Some of the well-known temples in Jakarta are, Wihara Dharma Bhakti, Mangga Besar, Boen Tek Nio Temple and Pluit.

Other traditions for the Chinese New Year:

Many more of such traditions are followed in Indonesia as a part of the New Year celebrations. Bursting fire crackers to s care and drive away evil spirits like Nian is also one of the customs followed on the Eve and the New Year day. On the New Year Eve and Day, people keep their doors and windows open to send the previous year and welcome the New Year day.

Events for Chinese New Year celebration in Indonesia, 2011:

Chinese New Year celebrations in Indonesia cannot be complete without the traditional events. This year too, you can be a part of some of these spectacular events and know about the Chinese culture and traditions for the New Year.

Barongsai:

Lion Dance is one of the most spectacular events of Indonesia. This is a traditional event that takes place during the Chinese New Year. A huge sized Dragon puppet called, Barongsai is manned by a group of dancers. The se dancers control the head and the movements of the ferocious Barongsai. These dancers are well versed in the art of Kung Fu, as the dance movements of the dragon resemble this form of martial art. The music of the dance is provided by drums, symbols and bells. Destinations like Jakarta have such grand Barongsai shows every year during the festival. You can get to know about the event date and venue from the various promotions that are held in the city malls and streets.

The Lantern Festival:

Lantern Festival is yet another attraction of the Chinese New Year celebration in Indonesia for the year 2011. Like every year, the Lantern Festival marks the end of this festival in Indonesia. The event takes place on the 15th day of the Chine se New Year. Beautiful paper lanterns are made or purchase d to adorn the house and surrounding on this day. There is a custom of family meal too on this day, which families in Indonesia usually follow as a custom.

Latest Updated on 14/12/2010