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Cultural Customs
Chinese New Year
New Year
"Qingweiya" is one part of the New Year's celebration for Cantonese people. Traditionally, the 16th day of the 12th lunar month is called "Xi Ya", the so-called "Qing Wei Ya", which is a sacrificial activity held in preparation for summarizing the past year. In addition to the general sacrificial offerings, there must also be fat choy (photosynthetic bacteria), fish and pomelo that symbolises prosperity and abundance.
Delicacy
"Jiandui" is a must have during Chinese New Year for the Cantonese . It is round, golden brown, coated with sesame seeds and filled with mung bean or peanut. There is a saying: “jiandui lulu, jin ying man wu 煎堆碌碌，金银满屋”which means the roly-poly Jiandui will bring forth gold and silver into the house.
Starting the year
Cantonese treated the second day of the new year "the beginning of the year". China was an agrarian society in the early years, and people had to work every day except New Year's Eve and the first day of the new year. Work will start on the second day of the new year, so we will have a New Year's dinner to hope for a good new year. After the beginning of the new year, there are no taboos, and people are back to normal life. The old people once used the slang "let me help you start the new year", which means "the year has passed, let me teach you a good lesson".
Bai Nian
It is customary in Singapore to greet one another with two tangerines. In Cantonese, "tangerine" and "gam" (gam) have the same pronunciation, thus symbolising good fortune.
Be Careful!
Be extra careful when handling cups, plates, bowls, and saucers, , making sure you don’t drop them. If it does happen, those present must immediately say:”Suisui Ping An” (sui sui sounds the same as “shattering”or“new year”in Chinese and ping an means “blissful”).
References
Anonymous (February 11, 2018). Take two oranges for New Year's greetings? Chinese New Year in Singapore is a bit fun! Sohu. Online date: February 19, 2022. Checked from: https://www.sohu.com/a/222305729_99922751
Morning Post Digital (January 11, 2018). The New Year's custom of Cantonese people starts with "tail teeth". Lianhe Zaobao. The New Year's custom of Cantonese people starts with "tail teeth". Online date: February 19, 2022. Checked from: https://www.zaobao.com.sg/special/report/singapore/chinese-new-year-2018/traditions/story20180111-708891
Anonymous (February 4, 2017). Cantonese people celebrate Chinese New Year. The original text "Cantonese people pay attention to and avoid New Year's Eve". Published in "Lianhe Zaobao · Colorful". Online date: February 19, 2022. Checked from: http://navalants.blogspot.com/2017/02/chinese-new-year.html