February 5, 2025
GEORGE TOWN – It is a common sight to see stalks of sugarcane line the pavements here, while some are seen sticking out of car windows ahead of the Jade Emperor’s birthday.
Many in the Hokkien community celebrate it with more grandeur than the first day of Chinese New Year.
Sugarcane seller Ch’ng Ti Hoe, 38, was seen watering his sugarcane stalks to keep them fresh as customers flock to his stall.
“I brought in my usual 1,500 stalks as others sell it too and there will be competition.
“People usually look for places that are convenient to stop and buy them.
“My stall is located along Perak Road, which is a busy area so there are many customers.
“I am mindful to bring just enough to sell over a two-day period,” he said.
Ch’ng, who started selling his sugarcane at midnight yesterday, will only close shop this evening to prepare his prayers.
“People come early to make their pick as they want long straight stalks.
“It is a belief that the straighter the stalk, the better the luck.
“They want it to be big and look nice as well, which is why I pour plenty of water on the sugarcane stalks.”
Ch’ng said he also offers cut up pieces, as some prefer to place it on plates as offerings.
Sugarcane is considered a must-have for the festival because Hokkiens believe that their ancestors from Fujian province in China survived persecution by Sung Dynasty soldiers by hiding in a sugarcane plantation for nine days during Chinese New Year.
They emerged unharmed on the Jade Emperor’s birthday and believed that they were protected by the god.
Festivities usually start on the night of the eighth day of the Lunar New Year.
Hokkien families offer prayers, place offerings to the deity on a makeshift altar in front of their homes and light firecrackers at midnight.
There are also those who choose other fruits as offerings.
Susie Khoo, 62, said she wants a pineapple that has a big crown as it is considered prosperous.
“We call it ‘ong lai’ in Hokkien, which sounds exactly like ‘fortune comes’.
“For us Hokkiens, Jade Emperor’s birthday is more important than Chinese New Year as it is our Hokkien New Year.
“I will get a watermelon, apples, a pomelo, oranges, pears and green bananas as offerings,” said the retired lecturer.
Khoo said it was essential to pick the nicest looking fruits.
“I need to be careful when picking them out.
“My offerings will be meatless and will include various traditional Chinese ‘kuih’.
“We will then burn joss sticks and other paraphernalia as offerings,” she said.
Calvin Cheong, 26, who designs and sells various types of prayer paraphernalia, said the most popular this year are the cardboard pineapples and dragon joss sticks.
“People want to burn these as offerings and we offer it in various sizes as not everyone can afford a big one.
“While it is not compulsory, it is part of our customs to burn them during various occasions including the Jade Emperor’s birthday.
“We even have a cardboard mansion for those who want to splurge,” he said.