that’s whacked

Happy (White-Washed) Chinese New Year…

Saturday, Jan 28. 2006  –  Category: Food, Musings

It’s always been interesting for me around Chinese events like Chinese New Year, or Qing Ming (literally ‘grave sweeping’ where people go to visit their ancestor’s graves to pay respects; our family goes to Toronto where my grandmother is buried).

I’m one of many ABC’s (American Born Chinese) I know, though technically (and patriotically) I claim myself as a BBC (British Born Chinese) with an ABC culture and upbringing.

Anyway, I’ve always liked how strong a role family plays in Chinese culture. Our families believe very strongly that our ancestors watch out for us, and that honouring them will bring good fortune/luck. One aspect of this which I’ve always wondered about is honouring ancestors with food. We do this on both New Years and Qing Ming, when our family lays out a veritable banquet feast in front of my grandmother’s grave, and all my cousins, uncles, aunts, etc. stand around in the cold Canadian springtime staring (and inwardly drooling) at all the hot steaming food getting cold while we wait and pray/pay respects. I’m never really sure what we’re waiting for exactly.

So I’m conflicted. I mean… sure, waiting a few hours for food is a small price to pay to make sure my super kung-fu great-great-great-grandfather has got my spiritual back. But at the same time… do spirits really need real-world food?

I know if I were a spirit, watching over future generations of little stevel’s (perish the thought), I would send a message saying “you know what… you spent hours slaving over that feast…. not to mention the two hours waiting in line at 99 Ranch picking up the huge roast pig… go ahead, eat up. I’ll grab leftovers”. In fact, I’m going to write that down in my will…

“Future Lau’s, when you gather together to pay respects and honour your ancestors. Go ahead, take a little bite before praying. I know you’re all hungry, and at the same time I can’t say I speak for your other ancestors - but I’ll let you go ahead and eat my share instead.”

I’m going to start a revolution in Chinese celebration….