In 1962, Brunei imposed a ban on firecrackers. In February 2008, we saw the ban lifted to help our Chinese Community herald in the Chinese New Year of The Rat.
It was Chap Goh Meh last night, the final night of the Lunar New Year. The GoodEggs minus Mimi, headed off to Subok to celebrate the occasion wih R and P, the rest of the troops plus families. Dinner at the Lee's usually mean swell food and good company. This year we had an addition to the festivities; firecrackers and fireworks galore.
Subok has predominantly chinese inhabitants, and so respectfully after the Isyak prayers, the skies above burst in fruity coloured flavours accompanied with loud bangs and squeals of joy. According to my chinese friends, each "kampung" has two houses who usually pit their fireworks against each other. We saw a neighbour set off firework after firework, meters of firecrackers, for almost an hour. They were "warring" against a house a mile away. This year, due to years of restraint in their celebrations, the Chinese community set off the big guns. Beautifully coloured big fireworks lit up the sky, their bangs melting the wax in our ears. Firecrackers set off at the gate with a bang and for good luck, their paper skins turning the asphalt red.
To all our Chinese friends, we hope that you had a fabulous Chinese New Year and prosperous year ahead. We'll raise you the fireworks come this Aidilfitri.
LOL!!!
in all seriousness, it does feel as if we're living in a warzone. hehe.
Posted by: Maurina Hamid | Sunday, 24 February 2008 at 10:52 PM
I'm sorry that the firecracker accident removed your sense of humour dude.
Posted by: EmmaGoodEgg | Saturday, 23 February 2008 at 02:38 AM
I disagree with lifting the ban on firecrackers which are the cause of preventable accidents. People can certainly find other ways and means to celebrate. How did you all survive the years before the ban was lifted?
Posted by: Poms | Friday, 22 February 2008 at 10:27 AM