Chinese New Year with family—2012
I'm at a loss for words; it's all about the red celebration. They're starting to sell firecrackers everywhere I'm going, whether it's Malim town or Jonker Street. That's how thrilling it is. Yes, I would want to relate a few experiences.
Hello, I've returned with a new tale.
This one is about the Chinese New Year. I had a quiet year, so no, not this year. No parties, no invitations. But this recollection? It dates back over a decade. It still feels incredibly alive, for some reason.
At the time, I believe I was in elementary school. One of my cousins is from a Chinese family, and they are from Seremban. They made the decision to host a small family get-together for the Chinese New Year that year. Not much. All of the relatives—cousins, aunts, uncles, great-grandparents, and even the youngest grandchildren—will be gathered for a straightforward reunion.
It took place at night. I still recall the moment I walked in and saw everyone happy, catching up, and greeting one another. We took a ton of photos before we did anything else. The kind when everyone crams themselves into a single frame.
We were already seated at the table at about seven o'clock. We had the customary Esang, in which everyone takes a spoon and fork and mixes the food, before supper really began. The blessings are better the higher you toss. Even though I wasn't really sure what it meant at the time, I knew it was something unique. The energy was lovely, and everyone was laughing as they mixed the meal.
Dinner followed.
Every Chinese meal you can think of, including fish balls, tofu puffs, lok lok, steamed foods, and more. We also had satay because we are a mixed family. That combination alone demonstrates how diverse, unusual, and culturally rich our family is.
The best thing, though? The games.
Everything was so neatly arranged into divisions for males, women, children, and adults. Even kids were divided into two groups. I participated in a game where we had to use a spoon to transport a ball. As usual, I lost, but my cousin prevailed. We played simple but incredibly entertaining games like balloon-blowing and sprinting. Phones didn't matter to anyone. Nobody was preoccupied. We were only there.
We had a prize-giving ceremony following the games. Officially, they stated that awards would only be awarded to winners. In reality, though, everyone received something. Children were given stationery. T-shirts for adults. Kitchen utilities were given to women. Even though it was a tiny gesture, it seemed really considerate. No one was left without anything.
The dance floor, the last round, followed.
We performed every role. Tamil tunes, rock songs, and jazz. That's what makes mixed cultures so beautiful. We weren't limited to just one kind. Like our family, we merged everything. We laughed, danced, and made fun of one another. It was hectic, noisy, and ideal.
Looking back, it seems sentimental.
We have all matured. Some have been removed from the image. It is impossible to reproduce at certain times. And perhaps that's why I don't share such pictures. I decide to keep them confidential. Certain memories are too valuable to share on social media.
It was more than simply a Chinese New Year celebration that evening.
It served as a reminder of the beauty found in family, culture, and unity.
And even though this year was peaceful, I can still hear that recollection clearly in my heart.
Growing up in a neighborhood where the majority of our neighbors were Chinese is another experience I will never forget.
The entire area will come to life during the Chinese New Year. The drums were audible from a great distance. As the lion and dragon dance teams entered the dwelling area, the sound of "dum dum chiang" grew louder. It was so vibrant and vivacious. You could sense the joy in the air even if you didn't celebrate it personally.
During Chinese New Year, we were also invited to my mom's friend's house. I can still clearly recall our arrival. They came outside to greet us directly. Just that gesture was very comforting.
The entire property was decked out in vivid crimson, with gold accents, red lanterns, and decorations. It was luminous. The celebratory atmosphere was instantly apparent. It was more than simply ornamentation; it was a stunning demonstration of pride, solidarity, and culture.
They gave us light beverages and Chinese New Year sweets when we sat down. Only during this season do those well-known festive biscuits seem to taste better. And the angpao, of course.
In Malaysia, we call it “ampau” sometimes. That small red packet. Getting it feels like a blessing. It’s not even about how much is inside. It’s the meaning behind it. And we are never supposed to open it in front of the elders who give it to us—so we just hold it quietly and think, “I can’t wait to see what’s inside later.” That excitement was real.
That’s another memory I truly cherish.
In Malaysia, we occasionally refer to it as "ampau." The little red package. It feels like a godsend to get it. It doesn't even matter how much is contained. It's the significance of it. We simply hold it in silence and think, "I can't wait to see what's inside later," as we are never allowed to open it in front of the elders who gave it to us. There was genuine excitement.
I also really treasure that memory.
Chinese New Year at Jonker Street – 2025
Next is a more recent event: in 2025, I attended the Chinese New Year celebration on Melaka's Jonker Street.
That one had a very different vibe.
It was already packed and bustling when we got there. We were handed RM10 coupons for the event. The requirement was straightforward: we had to use them at the Jonker Street stalls. We don't have to use our own funds. Simply explore and have fun.
I was ecstatic, as was my sister. In order to sample more cuisine, we genuinely shared whatever we purchased. We planned to taste and share as much as we could.
It seemed like a culture with dragon dances returning, Zumba classes on stage, raffles, and performances.
What's the best? the cuisine.
There were stalls of various kinds. Chinese food predominates, with a few fusion items. I was very impressed by the crab burger. Before now, I had never tried a crab burger. Doesn't that sound Western? This one, however, had a Chinese-style sauce that was a little bit spicy and sweet. Something was different. Quite good, to be honest.
We strolled around, observed the stalls, took in the performances, and soaked up the joyous atmosphere for hours. The best part, too? We didn't withdraw a single cent. Just make good use of our coupons.
I realize as I reflect on all of these encounters.
For me, the Chinese New Year has always been about more than just the festivities. Even though I don't typically celebrate it, it has been about seeing culture, harmony, and joy.
It's all about neighbors sharing joy.
You are invited into the houses of your friends.
A family combining several cultures.
And that's the reason Malaysia is so unique.
.png)
Got a fun CNY story? Share it, and you might take home Ang Pow and prizes worth up to RM2,980! Find out how to join here. T&Cs apply.
Mirhaa05 (hemirhaphysio@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact creator@newswav.com.
