If There Is a Will...

It was very merry and festive at midnight. People of the Hokkien descent welcomed in the 9th day of the Lunar calendar and I am happy for them. There was the lively sound of drums and cymbals accompanying the lion dance leading up to midnight. I could hear them from my place on the 17th floor but could not see them for they were between many rows of shops belonging to Chinese business people. There was a countdown and many long rows of firecrackers were lit simultaneously. Yes, I know they are banned for reasons of safety. But you just cannot stop the Chinese, especially if they are of the Hokkien decent welcoming the 9th day of the Lunar calendar. This is as big (or bigger) to them as Christmas to Christian, Chinese New Year to other Chinese, etc. This is the day they remember the day they survived the attempted extermination of their clan, and many generations will continue to celebrate it.

There was one point in ancient China's history when the Hokkiens were being hunted to the very brink of extinction. Men, women, children and the elderly were killed ruthlessly. As told my my mother, who heard it from her mother (who probably heard it from some Hokkien friend), the motive was to wiped the entire clan clean off the face of the Earth. There are variations of the story and I have heard two more over the radio broadcast. Some indicated the enemies as bloodthristy bandits, while others point to some official/royalty or another clan they have offended. Anyway, one day this pitiful group were being chased and were in despair. The end seemed near and they were desparate. Suddenly, they spotted a field of sugar canes. Without any other choice, they ran and hid amongst the sugar canes while their pursuers tried to weed them out for slaughter. Here, according to some, there was intervention (divine?) that warned the pursuers off and told them to leave these helpless people alone. Divine intervention or not, the Hokkiens hid within the sugar canes hoping to avoid brutal death. When they finally overcame their fear and felt it was safe to emerge from their hiding place, they discovered their enemies were gone and it was the 9th day of the lunar year. Needless to say, they rejoiced and thanked the Heavens for being spared.

Till this day, Hokkiens still make offerings of thanks and celebrate the joyous occasion. The humble sugar cane that was so vital for their survival is not forgotten. Every year, Hokkien families continue to have long rods of sugar canes tied together with decorative red cloth on their thanksgiving day.

To Hokkien decendants everywhere, enjoy your day. I am happy your clan has survived your horrific history. It shows will to live and prosper is indeed strong. Hooray!