Chinese New Year in Indonesia
Most Chinese festivals, whether based on seasons, myths about gods or ghosts, or
a combination of these, stem from a belief in worshipping the gods to appease
them and prevent misfortune. The biggest celebration is the beginning of the
Chinese New Year.
Chinese New Year's celebrations in Indonesia, known locally as Imlek,
incorporate customs, beliefs and practices brought to Indonesia by Chinese
immigrants who still follow the practices handed down from their parents.
Although Chinese New Year was not a national holiday on the Indonesian calendar
for many years, beginning in 2002, Chinese New Year became a national holiday,
to the pleasure of millions of Chinese Indonesians. The day of Chinese New Year
does not follow a fixed date in the Gregorian calendar, it is based on Chinese
Lunar calendar.
The day usually fall on January / February of Gregorian calendar.
Chinese New Year is a time to show respect for those that have passed away and
to reunite with family members. Departed relatives are remembered with great
respect because they were responsible for laying the foundations for the
family's fortune. Although customs may vary across the archipelago and even from
family to family according to social position, many customs or versions of them
are still observed by the ethnic Chinese community in Indonesia today.
Within the ethnic Chinese community there are immigrants from many regions
throughout China. Distinctively different Chinese communities are found in
Pontianak for example, when compared to Medan or even Jakarta. Each of these
immigrant communities brought the unique traditions of their hometowns to
Indonesia. This diversity in origins explains the diversity in the way Chinese
New Year is celebrated by communities throughout the Indonesian archipelago.
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