Lunar New Year Festivities at Chinatown

Like many countries in the West, Singapore has a Chinatown even though the majority of the population are Chinese. I am assuming that Chinatown helps to accommodate Chinese immigrants within local communities in predominantly non-chinese countries. In recent years, it makes more sense to have one since the country is fast becoming a place with many foreigners especially from the rest of Asia.

There are also special places for the Malays, Indians and Peranakans – Kampong Glam, Little India and Peranakan Place respectively. Soon, there could well be little Philippines, China and Indonesia.

But what puzzles me is that these places feel more local than they are ethnic. Probably because most of the sights and sounds of old have gone to make way for the new, albeit exact, physical replicas. Singapore has lost most of her heritage and traditions to westernization, even in places designated to preserve ethnic cultures.

Festive shopping for Chinese New Year is not much different from another holiday spree except the prices. Last I heard, a kilogram of bakgua (barbecued pork/ meat) cost almost SGD 50. Madness, if you ask me.

And sharing the limelight with the Chinese New Year lions, Mickey Mouse and company are lighting up the streets of Chinatown! They play with the dragon, light firecrackers, do acrobatics and Mickey even poses as the god of fortune on a paper lantern. It is the Year of the Rat according to the Chinese zodiac, and Mickey and friends may have to wait for another twelve years if they miss the opportunity to cash in this year.

So, how Chinese can Lunar New Year get?

Xin Nian Kuai Le!