Cap Go Meh Feast

Cap Go Meh feast or Xiaojie Yuan in Chinese happens on the 15th day in the first month is one of the traditional Chinese holiday. According to the Tiongkok society's tradition , when Cap Go Meh feast has finished , the chinese new year will be ended.

Usually in Indonesia, Chinese new year and Cap Go Meh happens on the season when the rainfall is high and the soil is ready tilled. Because of that fact, this event used by the farmer to raise up their luck. And at that time the people greet each other and say ," Congratulation and hopefully a lot of luck."

Everytime when the Cap Go Meh feast happens , the colorful face of a lion called lion dance (barongsai) always appears. The word "Barongsai" is the combination word of the "Barong" in Java language and "sai" in Hoktian language means lion. Lion in Tiongkok means happiness. People believes that lion dance can expel evil spirits and send them far away.

At Cap Go Meh feast watching the lantens (lampion) and eating dumpling are two important parts. Based on the rule, every public places and every house should place colorful lanterns. especially on the main street and main cultural place will hold lanterns exhibition. Eating dumpling in Cap Go Meh festival is an old tradition that comes from Song dynasty in the year of 960 up until now. The dumpling is made of flour and fruit jam , and the taste is delicious.