Meanwhile, in Malaysia there exists another tradition involving the throwing of oranges, albeit in a gentler manner. This takes place during the festival of Chap Goh Mei.
In Hokkien, the words “chap goh” mean “15”, and “mei” means “night”. Hence, this festival is celebrated on the 15th and final night of the Chinese New Year celebrations.
During Chap Goh Mei, single people throw oranges into lakes and rivers to find love. They inscribe their names and contact numbers on the fruit in the hope it will end up in the hands of a potential significant other.
Some believe this custom was started by the Hokkien community in China, while others think it began in Penang. Regardless of its origins, orange throwing can be traced back to the olden days when young, unmarried women were forbidden from going out.
The exception would be on Chap Goh Mei, when they would dress their best and go to the temple to pray. They would then head out to rivers, lakes or seas, and throw oranges to help them find husbands.
Young men would wait eagerly for a glimpse of these young women. Upon finding someone who catches his eye, he would thereafter employ the services of a matchmaker to ask her hand in marriage.
Accordingly, Chap Goh Mei is also known as Chinese Valentine’s Day.
The tradition has been kept alive in Malaysia. Before the pandemic, locations such as the Esplanade in George Town, Taman Jaya Lake in Petaling Jaya, and Port Klang were popular spots where singles could be found throwing oranges.
A modern-day twist
Dennis Loh of Cheng Pai Events began organising orange throwing at Taman Tasik Permaisuri in Cheras in 2000.
“I decided to do it when I observed that, although there were such activities in Klang and Petaling Jaya, there were none in Kuala Lumpur,” the 50-year-old tells FMT.
His first event drew 350 people, which eventually grew to 20,000 over the years – most of them single people in their 20s and 30s.
Named the “Loving Chap Goh Mei Festival”, there are also other activities on the day, such as a lantern boat festival and a lucky draw.
Loh further decided to add his own twist to this tradition when he discovered it wasn’t just women who were participating.
“Even men were throwing oranges, and it was getting confusing for everyone. So I decided to segregate them and I gave the men bananas to throw instead,” he says with a laugh.
Loh believes he is the first to introduce bananas to this tradition.
“I encourage them to immediately call the number on the fruit and find the person. If they manage to find each other, they also receive a gift from us,” he reveals.
To add to the modern-day twist, many participants include email addresses or social-media details, not just their contact numbers.
Orange quashed
So, has it ever worked? And how has the pandemic affected his efforts at keeping this charming tradition alive?
“Yes, I know of couples who met at these events and eventually settled down together,” he shares.
“In 2020, we only had a turnout of 200 because people were concerned about Covid-19; and last year, we were altogether unable to organise one.”
Sadly, there is no event this year as well.
“We usually take about six months to put these events together, and it was too late for us to begin our preparations by the time the Chinese New Year SOPs were released,” he explains.
Nevertheless, Loh is looking forward to organising it again next year and has even identified a new location in Taman Pudu Ulu, Cheras.
“Ultimately, Chap Goh Mei is an important day for us, and I believe it is vital to preserve these traditions so future generations will know about them,” he says.