By WINNIE YEOH, The Star
Major morning markets on Penang island like Kimberly Street, Perak Road and Air Itam are lined with sugarcane stalks and other Chinese traditional cakes for the preparation of the celebration at the stroke of midnight tonight.
At the Chowrasta market on Penang Road yesterday, sugarcane seller Wong Kin Heng, 45, said he and his business partners prepared about 600 stalks for sale.
“I’ve been here since 6.45am and so far, I’ve sold about 200 to 300 stalks at RM10 a pair or RM13 for three stalks.
A motorcyclist balancing sugarcane stalks on his left shoulder. “I got the supply from a plantation in Butterworth and I’m expecting more customers tomorrow.
“Business is a bit slow this year but I’m sure it will pick up later. If I manage to sell more than half today, I’ll buy another 300 stalks for tomorrow,” he said, adding that he sold about 800 stalks last year.
Businessman Looi Beng Teik, 64, who was seen selecting sugarcane stalks with his wife, said it was a must for his family to celebrate the Jade Emperor’s birthday with sugarcanes.
“It is a family tradition for many people. My grandmother told me that the Hokkiens in Fujian province survived a prosecution from the Sung Dynasty soldiers by hiding in a sugarcane plantation on Chinese New Year day for nine days.
“On the Jade Emperor’s birthday, the people came out unharmed and believed that it must have been the protection from the Jade Emperor,” he said.
Devotees getting their share of sugarcanes to prepare for thanksgiving. Other than sugarcanes, traditional cakes were also in high demand with the cake stalls packed with customers busy buying the ang koo (red glutinous rice cakes), mee koo (red coloured buns), huat kuih (prosperous cakes) and t’ng tak (sugar pagoda).
Housewife Lim Siew Ai, 78, said the cakes symbolise longevity and prosperity for the year ahead.
Other than food, devotees of the Jade Emperor are also willing to splurge on prayer paraphernalia for the deity.
Prayer paraphernalia shop owner Loh Chooi Ngoh, 40, said despite the economic slowdown, customers were still willing to spend extra for the deity.
“Many people came in and bought stacks of Thni Kong Kim (joss paper) and joss sticks for the celebration. Some prefer to fold their own while those who are busy opt for the ready-made ones,” she said.
The celebrations of the deity’s birthday will take place at Chew Jetty and Thni Kong Thuah temple near Penang Hill at 9pm.
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