Pongal Celebration in Singapore
By: Abhimanyu Selvakumar
1)
Singapore is a highly diverse country, mixed with various people from various backgrounds which makes makes the country a melting pot of races. In this post we are going to share about our individual festivals that we celebrate here in singapore and how these celebrations bring singaporeans together.
Singapore is a highly diverse country, mixed with various people from various backgrounds which makes makes the country a melting pot of races. In this post we are going to share about our individual festivals that we celebrate here in singapore and how these celebrations bring singaporeans together.
In Singapore, Pongal is celebrated on the commencement of the auspicious month of Thai. On the first day, 'Bhogi Pongal', celebrations begin with worship of Lord Indra, the Ruler of Clouds and Giver of Rains. Thorough spring-cleaning as well as the discarding of old belongings is carried out to signify a fresh start.
Oil lamps are lit, new clothes are donned and colourful designs in rice flour are created on the floors of houses.
On the second day, 'Surya Pongal', the Sun God is honoured. Every household cooks a pot of rice with milk to offer up to Surya at dawn.
Pongal means to ‘overflow’, hence the pot of rice has to bubble over to symbolise prosperity and abundance. This is then served to members of the family as well as any visitors to the house. It is a very social period, as relatives and friends visit each other and exchange greetings.
The third day, called 'Mattu Pongal', is set aside to honour cattle–cows are sacred animals in the Hindu religion.To remember the work they do, like ploughing the fields and providing milk, the cattle are scrubbed and their horns painted. Multi-coloured beads, tinkling bells and flower garlands are placed around their necks and they are fed special snacks as a treat.
The last day, called 'Kannum Pongal', is all about the community and strengthening ties. Younger members seek the blessing of the older members of their families.Landlords distribute clothes, food and money to their workers. Offerings are made at temples even as special prayers are conducted.Infused with the earthy rhythms of agrarian life, Pongal offers visitors a peek into a rich culture and a way of life that has been celebrated in Southern India for centuries.
Event highlights
To remember the work they do, like ploughing the fields and providing milk, the cattle are scrubbed and their horns painted. Multi-coloured beads, tinkling bells and flower garlands are placed around their necks and they are fed special snacks as a treat.
Chinese New Year
By: Bryan Chia
2)
Chinese New Year is an important Chinese festival celebrated at the turn of the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. It is one of several Lunar New Years in Asia. Celebrations traditionally run from the evening preceding the first day, to the Lantern Festivals on the 15th day of the first calendar month. The first day of the New Year falls on the new moon between January 21st and February 20th. It is one of the world's most prominent and celebrated festivals, and involves the largest annual mass human migration in the world. It is a major holiday in Greater China and has strongly influenced the lunar new year celebrations of China's neighbouring cultures The New Year festival is centuries old and associated with several myths and customs. Traditionally, the festival was a time to honour deities as well as ancestors. In Singapore, the locals will come together to feast and catch up with each other, the unmarried singaporeans will get to collect ang baos from their relatives. Lunar New Year's Day is an occasion for Chinese families to gather for the annual reunion dinner.It is also traditional for every family to thoroughly clean the house, in order to sweep away any ill-fortune and to make way for incoming good luck. Windows and doors are decorated with red colour paper-cuts and couplets with popular themes of ‘’good fortune’’, "wealth",’’happiness’’, and "longevity".
3) Compare and contrast both celebrations
.The first contrast is that both cultures have different ways of expressing prosperity and wealth. The Hindu culture uses a pot of rice has to bubble and overflow the pot to symbolise prosperity and abundance. Whereas the Chinese culture uses red coloured paper cuts to symbolise wealth. The second contrast in both the cultures is the difference in calendars. Hindus consider this celebration as the start of their new year, where old things have to go and new things come into the house. Similarly, the Chinese also consider this day as the start as their new year and wear new clothes and buy new furniture
4) Significance of each celebration
Pongal - The term ‘pongu’, meaning ‘to boil over’ or ‘flourish’ in Tamil, is what gives the festival its name. That’s why you’ll see the important tradition of filling a new clay pot with milk and fresh rice, then adding ginger, turmeric, brown sugar, cashew nuts, raisins and ghee as it cooks. When it is brought to a boil and froths over, family members cry out "pongollo pongal", which means "may this rice boil over" in Tamil, signifying a wish for overflowing fortunes.
Chinese new year (新年) - The term ‘ 新年 ’ meaning ‘new year’ in Chinese, symbolises a new beginning for the Chinese people. Some people will say ‘New Year, New you’. Chinese people believe that every lunar new year, they are renewed both mind and body like they are refreshed. That’s why you’ll see the important tradition of the tossing of the yu sheng. ‘Lo Hei’ in Cantonese, refers to the ritual adopted in Singapore of tossing of the yu sheng and saying of auspicious phrases before eating it. It is also believed that the higher the toss, the better your prospects and fortune in the year ahead.