| Each
year the Alaska Chinese Association throws a party
to start the Chinese New Year. As we step into the
Year of the Monkey, people from the local community
celebrate with dances, colorful clothes and food,
all keeping in step with Chinese tradition... |
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By Heather Reynosa-Davis
Photos by Bob Martinson
Northern Light
Filling the cafeteria, around 700 people were at Jane
Mears Middle School on the afternoon of Jan. 24. Smells
of traditional Chinese food permeated the air. People seated
at rows of tables ate fried rice noodles, honey barbeque
pork, and beef stew. One wall of the cafeteria was set up
buffet-style with a variety of Chinese foods, a long line
patiently trailing. Nearby two small children playing were
dressed in red silk mandarin suits. In the background, soothing
and melodic music played. Welcome to a Chinese New Year
celebration in Alaska.
Just before lunch was a performance of “The Lion
Dance,” an important Chinese tradition usually part
of festivities, such as weddings and restaurant grand openings.
University of Alaska Anchorage student Daniel Chiang has
been performing the dance since he was 7-years-old. He explained
that three long red strings suspended from the ceiling holding
lettuce and lycee (red envelopes containing money attached
to the ends) are symbolically eaten by the lions for good
fortune.
Minnie Yen, an Information Systems and Management associate
professor at UAA, is the vice principal for the Alaska Chinese
School and is also on the Alaska Chinese Association’s
board of directors. She has been a member of the association
since she began teaching at the university 15 years ago.
“The numbers of people that attend these events
grows every year, and they have to keep changing the venue
to accommodate the larger crowds,” Yen said
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| bob martinson / NL |
| Young
performers of the dance Children’s Joy. |
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| bob martinson / NL |
| Local
Tai Chi group members hold the monkey pose in
a performance at the celebration. |
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M onkeys are fun and loving persons who are
always cheerful and energetic. They are very
clever. Give a monkey a boring book to read
and he'll turn it into a musical. Better yet,
he'll invite everyone to see it free! That's
how talented, creative and generous monkeys
usually are.
Monkeys are always alert and can feel surroundings
even as they are thoroughly engaged in conversation.
Monkeys are sociable and have an active outside
life. Monkeys sympathize with people and they
in turn trust you with their secrets.
Monkeys can forgive, but never forget and can
be revengeful if somebody wrongs them several
times. They wait their turn for the perfect
opportunity and nothing can stop them from achieving
a goal. They have a lively love life.
Monkeys are good at making people comfortable
and even the most shy individuals open up to
them. They have a very attractive openness,
and as a partner they are reliable, adaptable
and cheerful. Inherently brainy, monkeys very
rarely fail in their mission. They are good
at assessing risk and financial problems.
Monkeys are intellectual and their memory is
incredible. They don't care what opinions others
may have of them. They know they are lucky,
and they also know they have the power to change
things when convenience calls.
Monkeys are virtually unsinkable! If people
try to trick monkeys, they will probably catch
them. They never make a move without a plan.
They are great strategists. They can spot an
opportunity in any form. They never miss a trick!
They improve and try to do things better, and
often amaze even themselves. They are the ultimate
diplomats and slip in and out of difficulties
with ease. Monkeys are always out in front!
Information courtesy of www.primatestore.com/yearmonkey.htm |
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According to Yen, not just Chinese Americans come to these
events; Non-Chinese families who have adopted Chinese children
participate and take their children to Chinese schools and
dance lessons in order to cultivate their upbringing and
traditions. The adopting parents take classes as well, helping
them to better understand and develop their children’s
rich cultural backgrounds.
Yong Cao, also on the board of directors of the Alaska
Chinese Association, is an assistant professor of Business
Administration at UAA. Cao teaches at the Chinese School
and is in his second year of celebrating the festivities.
The organization of the large event can be time consuming,
“The process of putting on the event took about
three months,” Cao said.
Part of the gathering was devoted to naming 13 scholarship
recipients. Various institutions donate money every year
to students of the Chinese School. The students can apply
for the scholarship each year, from kindergarten through
12th grade. Students must maintain a 3.75 GPA for consideration
and be a student at the Chinese school. They must also show
involvement in the community, either through work or volunteering
at various locations.
Presentations showcasing local and international talent
were a highlight at the gathering. Shih-Han Hu came from
Taiwan to perform the “Peacock Dance.” West
High student Vassar Bradford, a Kung Fu champion, showed
off some of his moves. Anchorage locals Wu Tang also did
a short martial arts demonstration.
Chinese New Year starts with the new moon on the first
day of the New Year and ends on the full moon 15 days later.
The Chinese calendar is based on a grouping of lunar and
solar movements.
Every 12 years of the Chinese calendar is named for a
different animal. Legend states that the lord Buddha summoned
all animals to come to him before he left the earth. Out
of all of the animals, only 12 came to say goodbye. To reward
them, Buddha named a year after each animal in the order
that they arrived. The Chinese believe the animal ruling
the year that a person is born in has an influence on his
or her personality.
2004 is the year of the monkey. In the words of the Chinese,
“May happiness, prosperity and health be with you
through the year of the monkey.”
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