As Chinese New Year approaches, the atmosphere in the Cina Benteng area in Belimbing Village, Kosambi, Tangerang Regency begins to feel different. The main roads in this village usually bear witness to the hereditary traditions that are continuously maintained by the Peranakan Chinese community. However, on my trip this time, I found that the Chinese New Year celebrations in Cina Benteng were not as lively as I had imagined.
Not many houses are decorated with red lanterns or typical Chinese New Year ornaments. Only a few houses and temples show a celebratory atmosphere, while other houses look ordinary. Even so, Chinese New Year for the Benteng Chinese community is not just a celebration marked by decorations, but more about the essence of maintaining tradition and family togetherness.
I took the time to visit the house of Mrs. Chen Fie, a woman who is quite respected in the RW 01 neighborhood. From the outside, her house looked simple without any Chinese New Year decorations. However, once I was invited into her kitchen, the sight I encountered was very different. The kitchen was filled with the sweet aroma of wajik and ladu being made for Chinese New Year prayers. Mrs. Chen Fie's hands were agilely stirring the wajik dough, which was made from glutinous rice, brown sugar, and coconut milk. Beside her, several of her children helped arrange the ladu, a sticky sweet cake that goes with wajik.
“I used to make everything myself. Now it’s not as strong as it used to be, so I buy half of it,” she said with a smile. For her, making wajik and ladu is not just a tradition, but a symbol of family togetherness. The sticky texture of this food symbolizes the close relationship between family members, while its sweet taste is a prayer for life in the new year to be full of blessings and happiness.
However, Ms. Chen Fie admitted that this tradition is starting to fade. Many young people prefer to buy ready-made cakes rather than making them themselves. "Nowadays, people prefer practical things," she said in a resigned tone. However, she still tries to maintain this tradition so that it doesn't just disappear.
In another corner of Belimbing Village, I met Ibu Lanni, a Benteng Chinese woman who makes the Chinese New Year tradition a source of income. Unlike Ibu Chen Fie who makes cakes for family consumption, Ibu Lanni receives orders for various kinds of Chinese New Year cakes every year. Nastar cakes, semprit, cat's tongue, ketapang seeds, and basket cakes are her mainstay products.
“Once a year, I am always flooded with orders,” he said enthusiastically. For him, the Chinese New Year is not just a celebration, but also an opportunity to hone his skills and earn extra income. Thanks to his efforts, many families in Cina Benteng can still enjoy traditional cakes without having to bother making them themselves.
In the middle of a busy kitchen, there is a young generation preparing for Chinese New Year in a different way. Tata and Nana, two young Chinese girls from Benteng, are busy washing red clothes. The color red in Chinese culture symbolizes good luck and happiness, so many people choose to wear brightly colored clothes during Chinese New Year.
However, there are rules that must be followed. According to Mba Dewi, another Benteng Chinese woman, those who are grieving are not allowed to wear bright colors such as red, yellow, or pink. "They are only allowed to wear dark colors such as blue, green, or black, which indicate that they are in mourning," she explained.
Over time, the role of Benteng Chinese women in welcoming Chinese New Year has undergone many changes. If in the past they were busy making cakes and preparing prayer dishes, now most choose a more practical way. However, the essence of this celebration remains: togetherness and respect for ancestors.
For some women like Ms. Chen Fie and Ms. Lanni, maintaining tradition means continuing to make traditional cakes, albeit in smaller quantities. Meanwhile, for the younger generation, Chinese New Year is more about showing off in the best clothes and gathering with family. This difference reflects how culture continues to evolve without losing its traditional roots.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of changing times, Benteng Chinese women remain the keepers of tradition, both in the kitchen, at home, and in their communities. In their own ways, they ensure that the Chinese New Year celebration remains a special, meaningful moment for their families and the Benteng Chinese community.
