12 Mar
Bai Tian Gong during Chinese New Year
The ninth day of Chinese New Year is a significant day for the Hokkiens, it is a day of gratitude for their ancestors’ relive. I still remember the story that my primary school teacher told me vividly.
Long time ago, some intruders invade the Hokkien province and when they ask the locals what is their origins, they answered “Hok-Kien-Lang”. The intruders misinterpreted it as LANG (wolf) and thus a massive massacre began. The locals run for their life and they hide themselves under the clusters of sugarcane. As soon as the intruders has gone far, the locals came out from the clusters, and it is on the dawn of the ninth day of CNY. So, the Hokkiens believe that our life and prosperity are granted by the heavenly god (tian gong).
My Hakka family beholds the belief too. So on the eighth day of CNY, friends and relatives are invited to our house to join us for the prayer.
Fruits, Ang Ku Kueh, Huat Kueh, Mi Ku, roasted chickens, roasted ducks, and roasted pork in whole are arranged accordingly on tables wrapped in red colored paper. My mum cooked some curry chicken and char bee hoon for the guests. Last but not least, Hakkas must have yeong tofu so we ordered 200 pieces of it from the famous Dai Shu Geok. Everyone pray to Tian Gong and wish that their business will be prosperous in the coming year.
Home made agar agar in coconut and pandan flavour is finishing real fast! I love those mould in assorted flowers and fruits design.
Ops! A mild open burning is going on. It’s a tradition for the family members to fold the paper gold ingots (yuen bao) and burn it as a way to send cash to your ancestors or god.
Youngest Sis and Cute Little God Brother 
