Mauritius' Chinese community celebrates New Year by hanging vibrant red lanterns and decorations in houses and streets. Families unite to watch glittering fireworks and lively dragon dances. Many feast on traditional 'good luck' foods, like raw fish salad and dumplings.
Preparations begin long in advance, as the typical foodstuffs are bought in and prepared, and the streets are decorated with oriental ornaments. The traditional colour associated with the Chinese New Year is red, as this is meant to scare away evil spirits.
Families gather together to celebrate the beginning of a new year with vows, fireworks and abundant quantities of good food. Among the traditional dishes shared are honey-cakes (also called wax cakes because of their waxy texture), prawns (for liveliness), raw fish salad (for good luck), Angel Hair or dried seaweed (for prosperity) and dumplings (for good luck to the family).
Firecrackers and fireworks are set off to scare off evil spirits at the entrance of the New Year and the traditional dragon dance is performed in various parts of the island. Members of the Chinese community often celebrate by going to the beach, relaxing and visiting pagodas for prayers and thanksgiving.
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