Page 67 - The Guide To Sarawak

THE GUIDE TO SARAWAK
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Lion dancers at a Chinese New Year celebration in Kuching. This tradition survives to the present day, with many non-Chinese youths also taking up lion dancing and other Wushu disciplines.
Governor Tun Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud has always enjoyed an excellent relationship with Sarawak’s Chinese Community. He is seen here together with
his wife, Toh Puan Ragad Kurdi Taib, celebrating with community leaders during a pre-Chinese New Year gathering.
Deepavali and Thaipusam (Hindu festivals) – in great harmony.
Chinese families always hold a grand reunion dinner on the eve of the Lunar New Year for all family members, who will make it a point to return home for this. Again on the fifteenth day of the Chinese New Year, known as chap goh mei, there is another great feast to conclude the festivities.
Other Chinese festivals
include Qing Min (All Souls Day) when family members pay their respects at the
graves of the departed; the Mid-Autumn Festival when families enjoy sweet red bean paste cakes;
the Dragon Boat Festival when every family eats rice dumplings wrapped
in bamboo leaves; and the Winter Solstice Festival, usually late December, when bowls of tang
yuan (glutinous rice balls served in soup) are served, signifying that one is another year older.
The Chinese of Today
Today the Chinese in Sarawak are successful
entrepreneurs as well as builders, artists, performers, farmers, fishermen, etc. They play a vital role in
the political and business arenas and many have entered the professions, notably architecture, engineering, law, medicine, education, journalism and various sciences. Many have excelled in the artistic and cultural fields while others have established globally successful businesses in primary produce, finance and property. The reader will see many fine examples throughout the book.
The Kuching Teochew Association celebrate their 150th Anniversary with a Gala Dinner, 1st November 2014. Association President Ir Goh Leng Yeu is at the centre, together with (L-R from centre) Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Ak Numpang, Consul General of The People`s Republic of China Mr Liu Quan, Anniversary Organising Chairman Penghulu Tan Tuan Yee, Honorary Life Chairman of the Federated Teochew Associations Malaysia Tan Sri Lim Guan Teik and Kuching Teochew Association Honorary Advisor Datuk Sim Swee Yong.