The other festival of lights

Posted by noelbynature under Folklore, Food, Lifestyle, Reflections, Traditions
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We know that Deepavali is known as the Festival of Lights, and is celebrated every year around October or November by the Indian community. The Chinese celebrate another kind of festival of lights - well, lanterns actually. It’s the season for mooncakes and lanterns and there’s no better place for a light-up than in Chinatown. Chinatownboy writes about the street light-up in Chinatown and reflects how the celebration has changed today.

What’s changed today? Chinatownboy writes:

And what happened to the lanterns that each kid would clamour for? Those tied together using bamboo chicks and covered by transparent coloured “glass” papers. In the centre was a small metal spring, into which one would put in a small candle. It was a challenge to keep the lanterns from catching fire. Then came the advent of battery operated lamps and plastic lanterns in the shape of Ultra-man. What would have been beautifully hung along the five-foot-ways outside the shops in Chinatown, they are conspiciously absent. The shops have changed. The children too.

If you think this season is just about mooncakes and pretty lights, perhaps it’s time to do some reading up about the Mid-autumn Festival and learn about why the Chinese celebrate this festival.Also check out Chinatown Boy’s post here.

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