Why Some Binjai Folks do not Shop in Certain Places in Medan…

A few years a go, i was shopping with some friends in Medan. We went to one of the hippest mall in the city. We got into a store that sell clothes and decided to look around. I was minding my own things when I heard an angry voice nearby.

I couldn’t help trying to see what was going on. It was like just five feet away. Apparently, a shopper was yelling at the shopping attendant. I did not know what was going on but the shopper ended up leaving the store furiously.

I recognized the shopper’s face to be very familiar but I could not recall who he was.

A few days later, I was going to the traditional market in my hometown. I was shopping for groceries when I saw someone talking to a group of people at a corner of the shop. It was that angry shopper!

I must have been seeing him around the town. That was why he looked so familiar! Anyway, I did not mean to eavesdrop. Actually, I did not need to, he was really loud!

He was sharing his unpleasant shopping experience to a bunch of folks. He said the shopping attendant was being so impolite to him. Every time he picked an item, she asked him to pay it first before starting to look for another item.

He said he was being patient at first. When he finally could not take it anymore, he yelled at her saying, “You think I cannot pay for these cheap stuffs? Is it necessary to treat me like a potential thief?”

 If you live in a small town like mine, in whichever part of the world,I strongly believe that you will encounter one certain thing that we all have in common: the fact that gossips and rumors can spread faster than wildfire!

I don’t know if you guys watch “Desperate Housewives”; If you do, It would be easier to understand this very next sentence. Most people in my hometown are ten times as talkative as those nosy folks who live in Wisteria lane!

Furthermore, when they “share their experience” just like how that angry shopper did, they actually feel helpful to other people. They consider their doing as warning the other people so that they can avoid such unpleasant event.

Anyway, I am not going to judge that angry shopper. (I keep calling him as angry shopper because I do not know his name.) He had his right to complain.

Sadly, most companies and stores in Medan do not take customers’ complains very seriously. Usually, they respond after a disappointed customer write to the newspaper. When something similar like that happens, The management will do something nice as a publicity act to safe the image of their companies.

Some people will surely agree that the mouth to mouth communication is the best “balance-maker” to the companies’ ignorance. When the people gang up to stop going into certain stores, that’s when the real punishment happens…

 

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

Things Fall Apart (Indonesian Cover)

I do not know how many times I have used this line but here I say it again: “This is one of the most interesting books I have ever read!” When I finished it, I tried to find out more about the author, just to be surprised – finding out that this book was written in 1958.

Wikipedia said that this book is one of the first novels written in English by African author to receive global acknowledgement. It is also one of the most popular reading in any school in English-speaking countries. I wonder why I had never heard of this book until recently.

I went to schools with pretty good library. I remembered  them as magical places where I was introduced to some of the best books I have encountered. Sadly, this book was not one of them.

The story evolved around a man named Okonkwo. He was a champion wrestling in Umuofia, a small warrior village somewhere in Nigeria. He was wealthy, courageous, and powerful among the people of his village.

Just like any other men, in his village he faced all the ups and downs of his life based on all the tribal rules. Until one day, Christianity came into the land, bringing all the new rules and a new single God. This new religion was backed up by some powerful people. They had resources that seemed unlimited.

Some of the villagers started to convert into this new religion and lived in the building they called as “church”. The church accepted any men equally, including those who were excommunicated by the tribe. The unavoidable conflicts soon happened between the villagers who were loyal to their spirits and traditions and the church dwellers.

Who was right and who was not? The Christians believed they brought enlightenment and revelation into the community. On the other side, the tribal people thought that their belief and traditional values were being corrupted and tainted.

This book somehow reminded me of “Who Moved My Cheese”. It was all about changes. Some changes are good, some are not; some are simply all about how you deal with them.

 

Orchid in Chinese Culture

Orchid (蘭花: lán huā) has always had a very special place in Chinese Culture.It is often seen in Chinese works of art. Orchid in the past was one of the scholar’s favorite, for it represents integrity, nobility and friendship. It was believed to be elegant yet humble, natural yet refined, joyous yet polite and independent yet friendly. These learned men saw a great deal of their best qualities in the orchid.

Orchid is considered as one of the “Four Gentlemen” (四君子: Sì Jūn Zi ). It is a group of plants showing the virtues of a good human being, based on the teaching of Confucius. Orchid was also entitled as the representative flower of spring in the “Flowers of the Four Seasons” (四季花: Si Ji Hua) along with Lotus (summer), Chrysanthemum (Autumn) and Plum Blossom (winter). Its elegant figure, swaying delicately in the wind was said to be like a noble lady enjoying the breeze of the spring.

Chinese folks use orchid more than just a subject of beauty or inspiration. It is also involved in its traditional medication and cooking. Its unique and delicate fragrance is most adored by perfume and incense makers.

When Buddhism started to grow in Old China, Orchid was becoming even more valuable. Grown in deep, secretive places in the mountainous valleys, it became as a symbol of elegance, beauty, modesty and purity. Its colors, forms and mass displaying showed the beauty of togetherness and union in diversities.

Related Articles:

Bamboo in Chinese Culture

Chrysanthemum in Chinese Culture

Plum Blossom in Chinese Culture

 

The Palace of Illusions

The Palace of Illusions (Indonesian Edition)

This is one of the books that I found in one of my “Monday-walk-in-the-local bookstore-trips”. When I read its back cover, I decided to buy it right-away! I did not even make it home without tearing up its plastic wrapping. I remembered I kept telling myself: Finally! An epic classic tale with a new perspective!

This book was written by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, who also wrote The Conch Bearer which is one of my favorite books, ever!

The Palace of Illusions is a rendition of Mahabharata, one of the two epics of Ancient India literature. Unlike in its original text, the tale in this book was written in Drupadi‘s point of view.

Mahabharata is no strange tale to me. I live in Indonesia. Its culture is much influenced with Indian culture. The first religion that this country ever known was, in fact, Hinduism.

Unfortunately, the story of Mahabharata has been butchered in this country. One of the “adjustments” made is: Drupadi has only one husband, not five. Instead of trying to see things from a non-judgmental mind, they simply “corrected” Drupadi‘s “blasphemous marriage”.

I like this book so much, not only because it was written based on the “real” version, but it also offers the reader a chance to enjoy the story from a perspective of a woman, who was magical and mortal at the same time.

 

爆竹的故事 〜 Story of the Firecrackers

Have you ever wondered why the Chinese Folks are very fond of fireworks and firecrackers? Every celebration seems incomplete without setting them off; whether it is Chinese New Year or the establishment of a new company.

Firecracker has long been a part of Chinese Culture. It is much older than firework. The creation of firecracker was included in the earliest Chinese Mythology, which was during the age of “Three Sovereign and Five Emperor” (三皇五帝: Sānhuáng wǔdì).

The characters in Chinese neolithic folklore were often viewed to be Demigods. Some of them are still worshiped as deities in these modern days, including our protagonist hero in this very tale.

Li Niu was a man who had very extraordinary abilities. He was very good in martial art, but he was well-known for being able to control fire as he wished.

The Yellow Emperor (黃帝: huang di), who was the first ruler of old China, heard of him and invited him to join his army. Li Niu became one of his most loyal and powerful ally. The Yellow Emperor entitled Li Niu as Zhu Rong (祝融).

One of the deadliest rival of The Yellow Emperor was Chi You (蚩尤). Chi You was a powerful warlord as well as the chief of The Nine Li Tribes. Chi You was known for being a mighty tyrant, skillful in in magic and arms.

In the last battle between the army of Chi You and The Yellow Emperor, Chi You conjured up heavy fog from his magical gourd. The fog confused The Yellow Emperor’s army, causing them to kill each other.

Fortunately, Li Niu the Fire Master came up with an idea. He took a bunch of bamboo sticks, flaming them and throw them in the air. The bamboo sticks cracked and exploded from the intense heat of the flame, blowing the fog away.

As the view was clear, The Yellow Emperor led his army to pursue Chi You and killed him.

When the war was over, The Yellow Emperor assign Li Niu to govern The Southern part of China. It was a rich and blissful place. The climate was fair and the sun shone around the year. The nature provide abundant resources.

However, the people only worked during the day. When the sun was beginning to set, they all returned home very quickly. Li Niu was curious and he started to ask around.

He found out that the place was under the terror of some weird creatures. These beast preyed on men and animals. They came out to hunt from dusk until dawn.

Li Niu asked the villagers to gather bamboo sticks. He connected them with a thin rope and hung them around the village.

When the night fell, the creatures came into the village. Li Niu flamed the bamboos up with his ability to control fire. The bamboo sticks cracked, creating loud sounds. Some of the them exploded and hit the beasts.

By using such a simple trick, Li Niu managed to scare off the beasts for good. Since that very event, Chinese Folks use firecrackers to ward off evil beings and bad spirits.

 

財神 Choy Sun 〜 The God of Wealth & Prosperity

If you visit our family restaurant during the Chinese New Year (or any other moments), you will see some pictures of Choy Sun.

Choy Sun is a very popular traditional figure among the Chinese Folks. He is The God of Wealth and Prosperity. His name is often invoked during the Chinese New Year, both in songs and prayers. His pictures are hung on the wall to bring in good luck into the house.

Traditionally, Choy Sun is portrayed as a noble man in a silk-robe, with an over-sized Yuan Bao (元寶: Golden ingot shaped like a boat) in one hand and a Ru Yi (如意: S-shaped Jade Scepter) in another one.

The name of this deity is pronounced differently from one place to another. Choy Sun is how we say it in Cantonese dialect. In Mandarin, 財神 is pronounced as Cáishén. He is more popular as Chai Sin in my hometown, as we speak Hokkien as our “ghetto language”. The Native Indonesians know him as Dewa Rezeki.

I know many people who claim to be non-superstitious. Still, it does not stop them from displaying Choy Sun images in their homes and shops.

 

年糕 Nian Gao 〜 The Sweet & Sticky Cake

Nian Gao is one of the most important elements of Chinese New Year. You can almost see it anywhere in my hometown in January and early February.

Nian Gao is sweet and sticky. It is made of sugar and glutinous rice. It used to be wrapped in banana leaves. Nowadays, it is contained in plastic wrappings in various interesting shapes.

There are two versions about the Chinese name for Nian Gao. Both of them are homonyms and commonly used alternatively. The first one is 年糕 which means “Year-Cake”. The second one is more logical: 粘糕 which actually means “Sticky Cake”.

We call it Ti Kue (甜粿) in my hometown. It is a Hokkianese word which means “Sweet Kue“. The word “kue” is used to mention bite-sized snacks or desserts in Chinese and Peranakan Cuisines.

Traditional Chinese folks usually put Nian Gao on the altars, especially on the ones dedicated to the Kitchen God (灶君公: Chàu-kun-kong). It was said that this Deity was the one responsible to report to the Heavenly Emperor about the household he was assigned to. The Nian Gao, tasting so sweet, would make him say only good words about the family he was guarding the whole year.

There are so many ways to enjoy Nian Gao. I know three popular ways of eating it. The first one is a typical Cantonese style: frying it with yam or sweet potato – wrapped in flour dough. It is definitely my favorite style.

The second one is steaming it to soften it. While it’s hot, roll it around grated coconut or sesame seeds. The third one is the simplest one yet rarely practiced by Chinese folks that I know: eating it just like that. It is doable if you happen to get good, freshly made, home-style Nian Gao – which is very rare nowadays!

If you ever wonder what makes Nian Gao can still be so popular in this modern era, let me tell you this: It is the philosophical meanings that make Chinese Folks love it so much. Nian Gao which is so sweet and sticky symbolizes the hope that the new year will bring sweeter days and the family will always “be glued” together.

 

Chinese New Year 2012 @ Pin Xiang Cha Lou

I was so busy in December that I did not post anything. We had major repainting going on. After that, we got super busy preparing for the Chinese New Year. Our sales of Chun – Kin once again broke last year’s record.

Anyway, here are some pictures of the restaurant after we did some decorating. My aunts were going over-exciting, as usual. Anyone who saw them shopping for the new year accessories would agree that they did not know the term “budgeting”

CNY 2012 @ Pin Xiang Cha Lou a.k.a. Rumah Makan Irian

CNY 2012 @ Pin Xiang Cha Lou

This is how we display our Plum Blossom Tree this year

 

Tales of the Otori – Grass for His Pillow

This book is the sequel to Across the Nightingale Floor. It has the very same narrating style, which was done by its two main characters, Takeo and Kaede.

The story evolved in two major events: Takeo‘s training with the Kikuta tribe members and Kaede‘s effort in claiming her right as the rightful heiress of both Shirakawa and Maruyama.

Takeo learned many things he had not known about the tribe and what they intended to do to him. He began to disobey the instructions given to him by his trainers. In order to test his loyalty, he was sent for a special mission.

Meanwhile, Kaede tried to survive the harsh winter and at the same time rebuild her household in Shirakawa. She attracted a rich noble man who lived nearby, Lord Fujiwara, who assisted her in return for hearing her secrets.

I like the book quite much. I had never enjoyed such a nice sequel since I read “The Two Towers”.

The book is pretty light, even for people who do not speak English as their first language. It is equipped with a map to help the reader to comprehend the story better. It is best to read the first book before reading this one.

 

When The Rooster Crows

When I was a small boy, I was sitting on the floor doing whatever kids at that age did (which was playing with my toys after the dinner). Out of sudden, we heard a rooster crowed. I thought it was rather unusual to hear a rooster crowing at night, so I asked my Grandma if she knew why.

She told me that the old Chinese People believed that when a rooster crowed at unusual times of the day, it bore omens. She uttered a short poem in Mandarin. (I am not sure if it was a poem but the lines kind of rhymed)

Anyway, I could not recall those lines but I do remember that there were three parts.

The first part, roughly translated, is like this: When a rooster crows by the sunrise, it wakes people up to start the day.

The second part was kind of heavy for a small kid to remember (I was seven or eight) but it was pretty much like this: When a rooster crows at ten in the night, a fatherless child was being born.

Fatherless did not necessarily mean that the father of the child was dead. It could mean that the father of the child was unknown. (E.g. the mother was a rape victim.) It could also mean that the mother was unfaithful and impregnated by someone other than her husband.

The third part was like this: When a rooster crows at two in the morning, it was a warning for burglars.

I think this part is more logical than the second one. Domestic fowls in the past reacted more strongly to sounds and lights. When they sensed activities, they would wake up. A rooster that heard sound smade by the burglars would crow, thinking that the owner of the house was awake and ready to start the day.

So, what do you think? Have you heard of similar or opposing superstitions like this one?