KOTA KINABALU – The Covid-19 pandemic, along with the movement control order (MCO) and weak economic outlook that followed, has left Sabahans celebrating Chinese New Year this year in a toned-down manner.
For Samantha Chin and her parents, celebrating at home with good food is the most important thing during the festivities.
“Nothing much really for this CNY. We will just eat hotpot at home. There’s a pandemic out there, with MCO restrictions and a bad economy. People want to save money.
“We won’t be doing things like Zoom meet-ups to be in touch with extended family members, as most have already passed away.”
In the past, she said, her family would celebrate the festival by welcoming family and friends. However, the younger members have gone on to study and live abroad, while her grandmother has died.
“So, we take it easy now. We had planned to travel for CNY from last year onwards, but then Covid-19 happened.”
On decorations, Chin said her family are going minimal this year.
“We have some decorations here and there. It’s only my parents and me, so we didn’t buy decorations just for the two weeks of CNY.”
She shared how her grandparents grew up in poverty in China before coming to Sabah, and so, decorations were never a necessity for the family.
They have planted their own money tree, mini bamboo and kit zai (lime) plants in traditional Chinese pots – a practice inherited from Chin’s great grandmother.
To them, what matters most this year is food, apart from spending quality time as a family.
“Since large gatherings and performances are not allowed, the focus is on good food,” said Chin.
“Every year, we cook the same 10 traditional dishes for CNY gatherings, such as roast pork, chicken, fish, abalone, prawns, vegetables and so on. After that, we add on anything creative.
“I studied overseas for four years before coming back to Sabah. Nothing much has changed when it comes to the festivities.”
The pandemic is all the more reason for her to exercise smart spending.
“Instead of gifting oranges and expensive stuff, we just make ninkau (sticky cake) to give to our friends.”
Relatives unable to cross borders
For Ray Pang and his family, who live in Lahad Datu, it is all about traditional dishes this CNY.
“For CNY, of course, there will be the usual steamed chicken, fish, pork, duck soup, yam, as well as mixed and salted vegetables.
“It’s a smaller celebration this year, as it’s just my parents and me. My sisters in Kota Kinabalu could not cross district lines to balik kampung due to MCO restrictions.”
Pang himself has not done much in terms of decorations.
“Just a few lanterns and such. There is no mood with fewer family members around, and we are not 100% traditionalists.
“We haven’t done a CNY open house for years, so it doesn’t bother us much. Still, it’s a little sad, but we’ll make do as always.” – The Vibes, February 12, 2021
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