Chap Goh Meh

Today is Chap Goh Meh (15th night of CNY), which is also known as the "Chinese Valentine". Why am I so semangat to blog about this? It's because "Wa Si Hokkien Lang!" (I am Hokkien) =P Yeah its mainly a Hokkien thingy...so read on to know what's it about =)

Taken from Wikipedia:
Chap Goh Meh or Tzap Goh Mei (Chinese: 十五暝; pinyin: shí wǔ wěi; literally "fifteen night") represents the fifteenth and final day of the Lunar New Year period as celebrated by Chinese migrant communities. The term is from the Hokkien dialect and refers to the fifteenth day of the first month, which is the occasion of the first full moon of the New Year.

The occasion is marked by feasting and various festivities, including the consumption of tangyuan. In traditional Chinese culture, it is also celebrated as the Lantern Festival or the Shang Yuan Festival. In Southeast Asia, however, it coincides with the Chinese Valentine's Day.[1] It is also when young unmarried women gather to toss tangerines into the sea, in a hope that their future spouse will pick it up – a custom that originated in Penang, Malaysia. In the past, this was also the only day that unmarried ladies could be seen with their partners.

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Copied from a Facebook event:
Singles, there’s hope!

Are you cynical and single? Think that Valentine’s Day is a day made for couples at best and a marketing gimmick at worst? Well, cast your jaded thoughts aside and put on those rose-tinted glasses for a while. There is a day made just for you.

That day is Chap Goh Meh - the 15th and last day of the Chinese New Year. It was normally celebrated with family dinners, prayers and firecrackers just like the 1st Day. That is, until some romantic soul back in 19th century Penang decided to make something more out of it.

Back then, marriages were mostly arranged. Society was such that unmarried girls could not hang out nor be seen with guys. There were no Speed Dating, Lunch Actually and Match.com.

So, what’s a 19th century single to do?

Congregate around bodies of water during Chap Goh Meh – the only day where single girls were allowed to walk about the streets, that’s what. Hopeful guys and well-dressed single girls complete with their chaperones will come by the droves to the Esplanade in Penang. The unattached will cast coy glances and shy smiles at a cute member of the opposite sex when the chaperone is not looking. They will also throw symbolic items such as oranges and apples into the sea. If the thrown item is fished out of the sea by someone, it is a sign that the ‘thrower’ will make a good match.

This tradition of throwing something into the river grew like wildfire until it is widely practiced wherever there’s a lake, river, sea or jetty to be found at various parts of the country.

Chap Goh Meh Arsenal

Anyone, married or single can celebrate Chap Goh Meh and dunk in something into the water body. No one is left out (unlike Valentine's Day which can make the most stout-hearted single depressed!). But to partake in the festivities, you need to be equipped in one or most of the following. Remember, these items are specially chosen for their meaning in Hokkien, in the hopes that what you will reap what you throw into the water. They work best if the appropriate Hokkien rhymes are chanted as they are thrown. As to why the all the names of the items are in Hokkien, it is because Penang is predominantly populated by Hokkiens.

Item


Hokkien Word


Rhymes with:
Hokkien Chant

Mandarin Orange = Kam
Husband = Ang

Tim kam, chuar hor ang
(Throw an orange, get a good husband)

Apple = Ping Kor
Wife = Bor

Tim ping kor, chuar hor bor
(Throw an apple, get a good wife)

Banana = King Chio
Lottery = Bei Pio

Tim king chio, gia hor bei pio
(Throw a banana, get lucky in lottery)

Stone/rock = Chio Tau
Bangalow = Ang Mo Lau

Tim chio tau, gia tio ang mo lau
(Throw a stone, get a bungalow)

Peanut = Thor Tau
Old age = Lau

Tim thor tau, chiak lau lau
(Throw a peanut, you won’t starve when you are old)


Modernity Sets In

These days, the more assertive ones would even scribble their name and contact details onto the items before throwing them into the water. For that, permanent markers are recommended as they are water and smudge-proof. And while they are at it, they will also light up some hot-air lanterns with scribbled name and wishes. However, due to the potential danger these hot-air lanterns pose to aircrafts and being fire hazards, they are now banned in Malaysia. But this doesn’t detract from the joys of celebrating Chap Goh Meh.

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Funny post on Everibodi Lafu Rojaks. Language there kinda teruk tho haha...

Happy Chap Goh Meh!