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Mihar Dias (C) Copyright January 2023
Growing up in Kedah during the 50s and 60s, we lived next door to some wonderful Chinese neighbours.
One in particular, were the Ooi. On New Year's Eve, all their children would return from other states or overseas to have their family meal and without fail, they would shout out for me like I was one of their own.
But I was only invited to go over to their house on the second day. The first is reserved for family members only.
We knew that the family played mahjong and card games all day long on New Year's day. So did our other neighbours. When we were invited over on the second day, we would find out who won and who lost. We would also be told who lost his cool at the mahjong table while giving us a blow account of what happened all day long. Then they would all laugh out aloud telling us that the first day was like a joke of endless eating and playing mahjong etc.
The Ooi was a relatively wealthy family because they could afford maids from mainland China who had tiny feet. I was told that their feet were crushed and bound when they were young because old Chinese society preferred women with tiny feet. Not knowing the reason I was always angry why adults would crush a child's feet just for beauty.
But they were the kindest and most friendly people I knew although we could hardly communicate. They only spoke one dialect which I was unfamiliar with. I was told it was a dialect from the northern provinces.
Those days, aerated water or carbonated drinks branded as F&N was served lavishly on Chinese New Year's day. By the end of the day, we would be bloated drinking the stuff for hours one house after another.
We did not have them in our house because our family could not afford to buy them on my dad's meagre income. So we gorged ourselves and returned home to tell mum we were not well from all the drinks and kueh kapit, peanuts, dried fruits and ice cream potong we had at the Oois, Lims, Khor's, Tans and etc.
I don't know where these people are now having left the state almost 50 years ago. But for their grandchildren who are still in Kedah, my advice is do not gamble at home because the MB of Kedah has banned gambling.
But then if you insist on playing a card game or mahjong, do so. I can guarantee as long as you don't turn your house into a private gambling club, the state won't knock on your door.
Be good. Enjoy your New Year's at our old kampung which is now part of the City of Alor Setar.
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