1. Lunar New Year celebration  at Downtown Ukiah (2/5/2023)

On the last day of the lunar New Year–the 15th day of the first lunar month, students from the Boys and Girls Schools performed at the Alex Plaza in downtown Ukiah. Though it rained on and off, the performances went on as planned. Though the crowd was not as large as prior to the time before the pandemic, those who came were delighted to see such a lively performance by our students. Fund-raising stands were set up for hungry audiences. Besides that, members of the audience were also able to make paper lanterns from red packets and write Chinese calligraphy.

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2. Firecrackers blare to welcome the New Year (2/3/2023)

Students set off firecrackers at the entrance of the Boys School early in the morning. It is said that a beast called “Nian” appears every New Year’s Eve. In order to frighten this beast away, people will burn bamboo joints at the gate of their houses, and the bamboo cavity will burst with a loud noise. This drives away the Nian beast. Setting off firecrackers in the New Year symbolizes the coming out of the haze of the pandemic and regaining vitality in the New Year. There is a proverb in Asia, “New Year, New Hope,” hoping that the New Year will be healthy and happy.

3. New Year performances at the Oakland Museum (1/29/2023)

At Oakland Museum, Boys School performed Lion Dance, Dragon Dance, and twenty-four season drumming. Traditional Chinese culture believes that “dragon” is a symbol of auspiciousness and dignity, and that they can control the wind and rain; the “lion” is an auspicious spiritual creature that drives away evil spirits, eliminates disasters, and brings good fortune. Therefore, during the Chinese New Year the “dancing dragon and lion” is a sight that must be seen, as they bring good luck. The twenty-four season drum originates in Malaysia. This performance focuses on the unity of the performers, and students must work seamlessly for a successful performance.

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4. New Year’s Eve dinner in the dormitory (1/21/2023)

The Boys dorm students gathered together this evening with Mrs. Lau and Mr. Kellerman, celebrating yet another successful year and enjoying good food and company. At the end of the party, students offered tea to the teachers, thanking them for their teaching and care throughout the year.

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5. Remembrance of ancestors (1/20/23)

For years, on the first day of the lunar year, the Boys school had held a commemoration ceremony of the ancestors, following an ancient tradition of Chinese culture. During the last few years, this was made impossible by the pandemic. Happily, this year, students, teachers and families were able to resume this traditional celebration in the newly renovated Dao Yuan Hall. A beautiful altar was set up and offerings of incense and flowers as well as hand-made sweets were made. In the brief ceremony, all paid respect to heaven, the earth, the country leaders, parents, and teachers.  

After the ceremony, people enjoyed a delicious vegetarian meal in the Dao Yuan Hall. Though it was bitterly cold that day and the hall was unheated, people’s enthusiasm was not dampened a bit. Students performed Chinese orchestra, dragon and Lion Dance to entertain the audience. Small children got very excited when the “lion” started to spit tangerines.  

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“Happy New Year, Happy Everyday”~Luca

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Thank you to everyone who has made this possible and apologies to those who might have been waiting a long time for this post.

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DVBS Archive Team