Post by NZBC on Dec 14, 2010 20:36:53 GMT 12
Star , Issue 3497, 26 June 1879, Page 3
(By the Special Reporter of the Lyttleton Times.)
Early in the week I was interviewed by Mr Ching Won, one of the firm of Messrs Ching George and Ching Wou, market gardeners at St Albans. My visitor did not keep me long in ignorance as to the object of his visit. There was no beating about the bush on his part, nothing like evasion ; on the contrary he came at once to the point. " You come my house on Tuesday ; kill 'em ducks and fowls— plenty tucker. China festival, first of the month." As I had long wished to get some insight into the inner life of this singular but albeit most industrious and courteous people, and, moreover, as I thought that an account of the Festival might prove interesting to the readers of the Lyttelton Times, I thanked my Chinese friend and at once accepted his invitation.
On repairing at 6 o'clock on Tuesday evoning to Ching Wou's house, I found there some six or seven Chinamen assembled, and amongst them Mr Ching George, who, with his partner, gave me a most cordial welcome. On my arrival some two hundred Chinese crackers were let off outside as a signal that the Festival was about to commence. The room in which the feast was to take place was scrupulously clean ; in the centre stood a large table covered with a snow-white cloth, and on this were ranged the viands, cut in pieces, ready for being operated upon by means of ebony chopsticks, of which there was a goodly supply; small China cups and flagons; so rare that their possession might be envied by any lover of articles of vertu, and nick-nacks were placed before the dishes, and around several coloured wax tapers and a number of perfumed rushes were burning. The religious part of the ceremony now commenced. Standing in front of the table each person clasped his hands, and after elevating them to the forehead, bent forward until the hands were level with the knees, when they were spread out on each side ; this was done three times; the worshippers then knelt, and clasping their hands as before, bent forwards until -their foreheads almost touched the ground, extending their hands as the heads neared the ground, the same as when they stood. this.also was done thrice. Brandy woa;then poured from the flagons into the cups, 'and a portion spilled upon the ground, and several strips of gold and' silver paper were burnt. The burden of the prayers offered up was for temporal prosperity, that Heaven's blessing might always rest upon the worshippers, that they might prosperous and fortunate in all their transactions, and might be preserved from all harm. It may be as well to mention that during this act of worship, the Chinese believe that the spirits of their departed, ancestors descend from the Bky, and feed upon the good things which are provided. At the conclusion of the religious ceremony, the assembled guests partook of the feast, which consisted of boiled poultry and pork, with several sorts of vegetables, including some delicious boiled celery, there was any quantity of rice, which was admirably cooked, and which was used instead of potatoes or bread. A splendid bowl of dressed salad with cheese formed the after dish, and when the meal was over coffee was Berved in English fashion. I had almost forgotten to mention that before commencing, a small cup of brandy was presented to each guest in which to pledge good luck to all. The whole affair was over by 8 o'clock, and after bidding my hosts good night, and thanking them for their kindness, I went home, much interested in what I had seen and heard. These monthly festivals are of minor importance, and nothing to compare with the great annual festival to celebrate the advent of the Chinese new year.
Star , Issue 3497, 26 June 1879, Page 3
(By the Special Reporter of the Lyttleton Times.)
Early in the week I was interviewed by Mr Ching Won, one of the firm of Messrs Ching George and Ching Wou, market gardeners at St Albans. My visitor did not keep me long in ignorance as to the object of his visit. There was no beating about the bush on his part, nothing like evasion ; on the contrary he came at once to the point. " You come my house on Tuesday ; kill 'em ducks and fowls— plenty tucker. China festival, first of the month." As I had long wished to get some insight into the inner life of this singular but albeit most industrious and courteous people, and, moreover, as I thought that an account of the Festival might prove interesting to the readers of the Lyttelton Times, I thanked my Chinese friend and at once accepted his invitation.
On repairing at 6 o'clock on Tuesday evoning to Ching Wou's house, I found there some six or seven Chinamen assembled, and amongst them Mr Ching George, who, with his partner, gave me a most cordial welcome. On my arrival some two hundred Chinese crackers were let off outside as a signal that the Festival was about to commence. The room in which the feast was to take place was scrupulously clean ; in the centre stood a large table covered with a snow-white cloth, and on this were ranged the viands, cut in pieces, ready for being operated upon by means of ebony chopsticks, of which there was a goodly supply; small China cups and flagons; so rare that their possession might be envied by any lover of articles of vertu, and nick-nacks were placed before the dishes, and around several coloured wax tapers and a number of perfumed rushes were burning. The religious part of the ceremony now commenced. Standing in front of the table each person clasped his hands, and after elevating them to the forehead, bent forward until the hands were level with the knees, when they were spread out on each side ; this was done three times; the worshippers then knelt, and clasping their hands as before, bent forwards until -their foreheads almost touched the ground, extending their hands as the heads neared the ground, the same as when they stood. this.also was done thrice. Brandy woa;then poured from the flagons into the cups, 'and a portion spilled upon the ground, and several strips of gold and' silver paper were burnt. The burden of the prayers offered up was for temporal prosperity, that Heaven's blessing might always rest upon the worshippers, that they might prosperous and fortunate in all their transactions, and might be preserved from all harm. It may be as well to mention that during this act of worship, the Chinese believe that the spirits of their departed, ancestors descend from the Bky, and feed upon the good things which are provided. At the conclusion of the religious ceremony, the assembled guests partook of the feast, which consisted of boiled poultry and pork, with several sorts of vegetables, including some delicious boiled celery, there was any quantity of rice, which was admirably cooked, and which was used instead of potatoes or bread. A splendid bowl of dressed salad with cheese formed the after dish, and when the meal was over coffee was Berved in English fashion. I had almost forgotten to mention that before commencing, a small cup of brandy was presented to each guest in which to pledge good luck to all. The whole affair was over by 8 o'clock, and after bidding my hosts good night, and thanking them for their kindness, I went home, much interested in what I had seen and heard. These monthly festivals are of minor importance, and nothing to compare with the great annual festival to celebrate the advent of the Chinese new year.
Star , Issue 3497, 26 June 1879, Page 3