The long Chinese New Year was very special this year. Since this is our third CNY in Singapore, we were lucky enough to attend many celebrations. One of the most down to earth was the one at Uncle Jimmy's in Yishun. Uncle Jimmy was Myrna's boyfriend Jhoey's landlord. His HDB http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDB is in a residential area in the Northern part of the island.
We weren't the first to arrive. Here in Singapore, and in most of Asia, everyone removes their shoes before entering a home.
Uncle Jimmy had a table of Chinese New Year goodies ready to go. Pineapple cookies, nuts, oranges, egg roll cookies and more, not to mention beer and liquor.
Uncle Jimmy's wife, Attie Jen, a Filipina, cooked up so good Filipino food.
We were treated to some state of the art Karaoke - the singing ranged from really nice to REALLY bad!
Everyone was awaiting the arrival of the Lion Dance troop. http://www.chinatownology.com/lion_dance.html Here, their truck pulls into the complex. In Singapore there are probably a hundred Lion Dance troops. Many work all year as the lion dance is used to bring good fortune to new businesses and homes. On CNY they are all working overtime. The sounds of the drums can be heard all over town as the troops travel in their brightly decorated trucks to their performances. Performances are going on all the time.
The first to arrive was the God of Good Fortune. He is one of the Chinese Gods. http://www.zandavisitor.com/newsarticle-852-Start_The_Lunar_New_Year_With_The_God_Of_Fortune_At_Singapore_Zoo He appears around Chinese New Year and in return for giving him a "red packet" (known as "Hong Bao" in Manadarin or "Ang Pao" in Hokkien) he in turn gives you a "red packet" containing lucky lottery numbers! All throughout the CNY season the red packets are handed out. In Singapore it is mainly called Ang Pao because the Hokkien dialect of Chinese is more prominent than Mandarin. Usually the packet is only given to single people, so sadly, I got none!
The Fortune God is in the house!
Uncle Jimmy and the God bow to Jimmy's Buddhist shrine, in order to bless him with good fortune and happiness in the year of the Ox.
The big guy does the Ang Bao exchange - a few bucks for him, some lucky numbers and a blessing in return.
Now the Lion enters. Jimmy's place isn't huge sop the drummers and other musicians play from outside on the landing.
The littlest attendees thought the drums were a little too loud, but they loved the show.
The Lion need a little guidance to avoid boinking his head on the light fixtures but with his handlers kept him out of trouble.
The Lion dance includes a ritual which bestows good luck on the home, business and attendees. The lion approaches a plate with lettuce and some oranges. He (actually it's two guys) puts the plate into his mouth and does some sit down stuff.
He then dances some more and approaches a member of the crowd.
While he sits, he is doing something with the oranges and lettuce.
He looks to the crowd to give someone a special good luck charm- oh! It's Myrna!!!!!
Triumphant she gets an orange from the lion! Another lucky guy got a half peeled orange. Both should be a sign of good things to come in the new year.
The lion then sets down the plate - rearranged so that the oranges are split open and the lettuce is placed inside. The plate is presented to the host, Uncle Jimmy. The plate is placed on the alter for good luck and prosperity to the home.
A tired and hot lion guy pears out of his mask - "is it over yet?"
The dance over, the lion guys and party attendees participate in the Singapore CNY ritual tossing of the salad, not to be confused with the Schmenge tradition of exchanging of the socks.
The alter is set - good things will come to Uncle Jimmy in the OX year.
Jhoey and Myrna pose with the lion head.
Wearing my CNY red, I too get some face time with the big feline.
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