Chinese New Year - 22 Jan 2012


Tuan Nian is an important family tradition celebrated on the eve of the new lunar year. We joined the rest of the family members to make our way back to Ipoh for this Tuan Nian or reunion dinner. In many ways, the celebration has changed in modern times. Now most families opt to have their Tuan Nian in restaurants rather than 'home-cooked'. At dinner table, what used to be "we" now become everything "i"..... i-pads and i-phone and we even bring our friends to our Tuan Nian via facebooks and chats, taking picture and updating every detail. Technology has made an impact to our celebration, the way we eat together, the way we talk and listen to one another.

But.... not all things technology could replace.....


Fun things the boys did with their cousins......


Children were allowed to stay up late and enjoy the last hours of the old lunar year. The sky would be lit up by fireworks and firecrackers.

Sparklers are popular fireworks for children . Moving sparklers quickly can create attractive patterns.
Chess game with different generations....


There is this Cicada outside the house. You know, Cicada only could be found when the Chinese New Year is approaching........and Cicada is the loudest singing insect!

Helping out before reunion dinner......

The annual Hah's clan gathering.....

Chinese New Year is marked by visits to kins, relatives and friends......

Dragon dance is more popular than lion dance because this is the year of Dragon in the lunar calendar. The performers carried the image of the dragon on poles. The lead performer would lift, dip, thrust, sweep the head of the dragon and the rest of them would manipulate the body.


Some believe that these dances bring good luck...
"God Bless" instead of good luck.

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