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Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Imlek in Indonesia, is celebrated by the Chinese Indonesian community and has been recognized as a national public holiday since 2003. This followed a period of suppression during the New Order regime when expressions of Chinese culture were restricted. Since reformasi began in 1998, there has been a resurgence of cultural freedom allowing for public celebrations of Lunar New Year.
The Lunar New Year is rich with customs and traditions that are observed by those celebrating:
House Cleaning: Prior to the New Year, families clean their homes to sweep away bad fortune and make way for incoming good luck.
Red Decorations: Homes and businesses are adorned with red decorations, lanterns, and couplets with auspicious phrases to invite prosperity.
Reunion Dinner: On the eve of the Lunar New Year, families gather for a reunion dinner featuring special dishes like Yee Sang (prosperity toss salad) believed to bring good luck.
Angpao: Red envelopes containing money, known as 'angpao', are given by elders to children and unmarried individuals as a transfer of good fortune.
Lion/Dragon Dance: Performances such as lion or dragon dances are common in public spaces and commercial areas - intended to ward off evil spirits.
On the day itself:
Prayers & Offerings: Many visit temples to pray and present offerings to deities for blessings in the coming year.
Family Time: There is an emphasis on spending time with family members. Some may also visit the gravesites of ancestors to pay respects.
Cultural Events: Public celebrations include cultural performances, festivals, fireworks displays, and fairs showcasing Chinese Indonesian heritage.
Indonesia's diverse culture means that while these practices are common within the Chinese Indonesian community, they may vary or be integrated with local customs across different regions.
