Chinese New Year

[samuijimmy]

This week end is Chinese New Year, there should be a lot of banging going on...

Usually in Maenam there is a good show going on along Soi 4 (traffic lights in Maenam) towards the water... from past two years I think heading down about 5 pm, is a a good start...

But I've not been able to figure out whether the Show will be today, (Saturday) or tomorrow Sunday or Monday ???? Everyone seems to say something different...so makes it hard to plan!

I think too, some other districts put on shows also.... If there is a large dragon walking down the street.... it's happening!

If anyone knows for sure, please post.....

[Rooo]

Just camp there.

[samuijimmy]

Just camp there.

Take a tent and umbrella then.... ! Raining pretty hard in Maenam at the moment!

[khman]

Hello,

I'm very interested, if someone has information about where and when it happens, I will be pleased to know and be there

Following topic

Thanks

[Birdman]

what is a good show? Usually CNY is a family get together/temple/firecrackers-matter. Some places with usual dragon dance, drummer and acrobat show.

Nice are the red lanterns above the street. More action in Nathon.

[Rooo]

I'm in Bangkok @the moment. Very lively.

[insertmembernamehere]

Chinese will go to a fortuneteller and find out what a good time (and day) is for "opening the door" to their house. The fortuneteller will give them a specific time and day and one is to light a string of firecrackers off in front of the door at that moment to dispel evil for the rest of the year. This is why you will hear firecrackers in the mornings on certain days.

By the way, the new year is actually on Monday the 23rd.

The dragon dances I have seen in Samui consist of a small group of young ruffian-looking Thais in disgustingly old and ragged dragon dance costumes going around from shop to shop asking for handouts after jumping around a bit and banging on a drum. It does not have the ring of validity to me, but maybe that's what dragon dances are for here.

[samuijimmy]

Well, it was not this evening in Maenam,

I believe the "Old Dragon" will be out on Monday, so those who don't enjoy such things should stay at home.... or at the bar....

.... because there will be thousands of people who will enjoy it! Both Thai's and visitors.... It's quite a show!

[BangrakBob]

Well, it was not this evening in Maenam,

I believe the "Old Dragon" will be out on Monday, so those who don't enjoy such things should stay at home.... or at the bar....

.... because there will be thousands of people who will enjoy it! Both Thai's and visitors.... It's quite a show!

I was just down Mae Nam before and a truck came down Soi 4 announcing a "free party" on the 23rd, and they were only just setting up the stage on the beach.

[Tropicalevo]

Well, it was not this evening in Maenam,

I believe the "Old Dragon" will be out on Monday, so those who don't enjoy such things should stay at home.... or at the bar....

.... because there will be thousands of people who will enjoy it! Both Thai's and visitors.... It's quite a show!

Whilst I do not go myself, friends who go every year to Maenam tell me that it is on Monday. They say that it is well worth going to.

Edited January 21, 2012 by Tropicalevo

[samuijimmy]

Well, it was not this evening in Maenam,

I believe the "Old Dragon" will be out on Monday, so those who don't enjoy such things should stay at home.... or at the bar....

.... because there will be thousands of people who will enjoy it! Both Thai's and visitors.... It's quite a show!

Whilst I do not go myself, friends who go every year to Maenam tell me that it is on Monday. They say that it is well worth going to.

You should get out once in a while and let your hair down! ......... Tropicalevo!

Bangrakbob: Yes staging was being erected when I was down there, .... You actually understood what they said when the truck went by?

[BangrakBob]

You should get out once in a while and let your hair down! ......... Tropicalevo!

Bangrakbob: Yes staging was being erected when I was down there, .... You actually understood what they said when the truck went by?

ha ha not a chance, I just caught the signage on it's way past me

[robsamui]

The house-to-house procession with the Lions (the dragons are a secondary feature) will happen on Monday afternoon. This is when the kids are up and about and exchanging money and charms. The U-shape of Soi Jordans (opp Soi 4) and its parallel street will be closed to traffic for probably two days. The street procession is spectacular and the Chinese temple is the best on the island. I don't know what time but it's a small community and if you want to catch it go in the morning and take an easy day of photos, drinks and snacks till it all begins.

Monday evening will be a huge (and private) street party with the entire road lined on both side with tables all the way down, but us tourists might be allowed to wander about and gawp - although I have a feeling that the police were stopping "non-family" last year . . . ??

I very loosely quote:

This is known as Nian and usually lasts for just two days. Legend has it that the mythical beast, the 'Nian', would always appear on the first day of the new year to devour cattle, crops, and even villagers (motorbikes, plant pots, restaurant furniture etc) but with a particular fondness for little children. In order to protect themselves, people took to putting food on their doorsteps at the start of each new year in the belief that the monster would be appeased and wander away. On one occasion it was noted that the Nian took fright when he saw a bright red Honda Dream as, indeed, many do. And so, the following year, every house was draped with red lanterns and armed with red fireworks and firecrackers. Although this did the trick, and the Nian was never seen again, the tradition survived and continues to this day.

The spectacular street processions of Nian are a result of this tradition and with many of the symbols and motifs having deep spiritual significance. It's all about frightening away the bad sprits whilst summoning and welcoming the good ones. To an enthusiastic drumming, clanging of gongs and clashing of symbols, (not to mention the occasional ear-splitting fire cracker), the red-clad mass wends its way from door to door, stopping at each to exchange tokens and bless the household. The huge and bobbing lions cheerfully accept red money packets (known as Hong Bao) and in exchange return spiritual nourishment in the form of green vegetables. As each household is visited, one or more of their members join the procession and add to the numbers, both physically and spiritually.

Full story in Samui Holiday Magazine for this month. (A quality free glossy that's available at good hotels and resorts everywhere.)

or

http://www.samuiholi...-2012&Itemid=16

R

Edited January 21, 2012 by robsamui

[robsamui]

And if you haven't seen the Mae Nam Chinese temple, go there!

R

Edited January 21, 2012 by robsamui

[samuijimmy]

Thanks Rob, for the positive input! I's say get down between 4 or 5 pm... parking may not be easy... perhaps go up the the other temple on Soi 4

Some images from 2010... in Maenam and there is also be a acrobat show.... Darn good too.....

To insertmembernamehere:

Quote" The dragon dances I have seen in Samui consist of a small group of young ruffian-looking Thais in disgustingly old and ragged dragon dance costumes going around from shop to shop asking for handouts after jumping around a bit and banging on a drum. It does not have the ring of validity to me, but maybe that's what dragon dances are for here."

The Dragon looks pretty good to me, and I would not call the guys who do that Ruffian either.... .... they look pretty smart to me & bloody hot under there too....

Not sure what you saw or where... why don't you post some pictures....? the rest of us will avoid~!

[Rooo]

I believe the "Old Dragon" will be out on Monday

What do you know about my wife?

[samuijimmy]

I believe the "Old Dragon" will be out on Monday

What do you know about my wife?

I ain't touching that one.... even with a ten foot barge pole!

[longtom]

For anyone interested in the Nathon program, the info was distributed on a leaflet:

Sunday 22 Jan - Pay respect and wish for a happy and prosperous new year at Hainan Temple

Friday 27 Jan , 6.30 PM - Shows and perfomances to public at Nathon Pier (Lions Dance on pillars)

Sat 28 Jan, 5.00 PM - Chinese Gods procession greeting people and city (Nathon city)

7.00 PM - Fire Walking at Hainan Temple

Enjoy the crackers.

[robsamui]

I believe the "Old Dragon" will be out on Monday

What do you know about my wife?

Wife? The one with the initials CBR?

R

Edited January 22, 2012 by robsamui

[samuijimmy]

That's gone over my head Rob ! ??? You be careful what you say about Mrs Rooo....

Thanks Longtom for the info, on Nanthon, heard that is pretty good too.....

What about Koh Phangan? Two Chinese Temples (I think) that I know of ... one on Tongsala, near old China Town, that's the street where the post office is... The Temple sort of hidden down a back ally, near the three way traffic light that turns to Ban Tai and that other place...

Also one up toward Chaloklum, on the main road.... any thing happening up there?

What say you guys on KP? or are you all still recovering from last FMP???

[samuijimmy]

Well, all the ruffians (NOT!!!) were out this evening at The Chinese New Year this evening.... in Maenam.... Quite a show...

Perhaps a few burst ear drums from the fire crackers... but generally I don't think anyone could find fault with the free show.... some of these kids doing the show must spend hours, in practice...

Two Lions used this year, not sure of the significance of Lions or using the Dragon?

Things got going around 5.30 pm ... my feet faded by 8.30 ! .... but can hear the fireworks now, so guess the party has started on the beach...

[limbos]

Today there were celebrations in Nathon. Rather impressive procession with some unexpected piercings by some of the participants.

This link has some pictures and videos of the event earlier today.

[Tropicalevo]

Today there were celebrations in Nathon. Rather impressive procession with some unexpected piercings by some of the participants.

This link has some pictures and videos of the event earlier today.

I was talking to a chinese friend tonight and she said that the show in Nathon was very impressive. Much better than her local 'bash' back home in China. The only problem that she had was that the folk in Nathon did not speak Mandarin. She thinks that they were speaking in the Hainan dialect.

[limbos]

Most or all Chinese influence on Koh Samui is from Hainan. I must say that I found the display in Nathon was impressive indeed.