您生日快乐，长命百岁
Chinese Birthday Celebrations as practised in Sarawak by Chang Pat
Birthdays in Western countries highlight a child’s existence, while grown-ups tend to dislike being reminded of their age. However, in the Chinese community, the adults are to be congratulated for longevity. It is a big affair for the Chinese to celebrate the birthday of an old age person, especially family who has the means to sponsor it
Traditionally, birthdays are not regarded as major events in the Chinese community until they have reached 60 or 61. The reasons for the birthday celebration to be held at this old age are as follows:
1. According to the Chinese lunar calendar, a life cycle comprises 60 Years and if a Chinese celebrates a birthday, it marks the beginning of a new life cycle;
2. If he or she celebrates the 71st birthday, he or she is congratulated for longevity.
3. It is a pride for grown-up children to celebrate their parent’s birthday in old age to express their devotion and appreciation for what their parents have sacrificed in bringing them up
4. According to the public, it is also a pride for grown-up children to host a birthday celebration for their parents because it means they can financially pay back their ‘debt’ to their parents;
Soon Man Tong (Chinese/Hakka dialect) which literally means “many children and grandchildren filling the hall.
6. Attending a parent’s birthday party is compulsory for the members of the family. In fact, it is similar to attending the reunion dinner held on Chinese New Year’s Eve. All members of the family are expected to be present.
Ways to celebrate the birthday
In the olden days, grown-up children could follow the customary procedures closely to mark the birthday of their parents:-
1. Early morning offering and prayers to the ancestors and the god of longevity, where ancestors were the members of the family;
2. Usually, the morning breakfast began with a bowl of “long-life noodles” (Mee) of which the length symbolized longevity. Eggs, which are symbols of life, are usually served together with noodles;
3. Sons and daughters together with their children had to prostrate themselves before their parents on their birthday and wished them a long life, in Chinese, it is led “Pai Shou” which literally means “praying for longevity”.
4. Relatives and close friends were invited to the house and to have a birthday lunch or birthday dinner. Of course, the relatives and close friends would not come empty-handed. Normally, they would bring with them birthday presents in the form of food and wine.
Birthday Dinner
The Chinese hosted auspicious foods that were a must for every birthday celebration. Any birthday dinner held in the restaurant, they may vary from 8 to 10 courses, but it must include the following:
“Long-life” noodles Mee cooked with eggs, (the length of the noodles symbolizes longevity and the egg is the symbol of life) and in the form of a peach. (In Chinese, a peach is a fruit which symbolizes longevity).
The Chinese believe that the above two dishes which signify longevity must be served, have to be eaten by the diners to ensure life for the birthday person.
Typically, after four courses of food, the master of ceremonies will make an announcement on the background history of the birthday person and the family. If the family is wealthy, the Master of Ceremony will sometimes announce the amount to be donated to charitable bodies in the area.
After the announcement, the Master of Ceremony will greet the birthday person on behalf of the guests with the following phrases:-
“Your longevity is like the age of the Southern Mountain, and your luck is like the wealth of the Eastern Sea.”
Sarawak Gazette, September 1991