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Imlek Is When Good Luck Comes to Every Home

JAKARTA LIFE'S STYLE

Want some advice? Leave the broom in the closet on Thursday. At least that’s what Santoso, the caretaker of one of Jakarta’s oldest temples, Sin Tek Bio, or Vihara Dharma Jaya, says. He says sweeping your house on Chinese New Year’s Day, known here in Indonesia as Imlek, might ruin your year. Not that Santoso will get a chance to go home anyway. He’ll be too busy helping out worshipers at the 17th-century temple in Pasar Baru.

Here, he explains his duties, tells us how Imlek has changed over the years and reveals the stories behind various New Year’s traditions.

Thursday is the big day, can you give us an idea of what it’s going to be like here in the temple on Chinese New Year?

It’s going to be really packed but it always goes smoothly. There’s no specific time for prayers, so people can just come anytime they want to pray. There will also be a throng of beggars outside waiting for the people who have finished praying to give them a cash gift.

What does Chinese New Year mean for the ethnic Chinese people here?

It’s the most important day on the calendar, just like Idul Fitri for Muslims and Christmas for Christians.

It’s a time to gather with family and relatives, to remind yourself to give to the needy and to remind yourself to be thankful. It’s also known as the day of fortune.

How long have you been taking care of this temple? And how is a caretaker chosen?

I’ve been looking after this place for 30 years now.

The people who pray in this temple chose me because the previous caretaker didn’t take care of the temple or the worshipers well, so they needed a replacement. I’m the replacement.

Walk us through a day in the life of a temple caretaker?

I explain the prayer rites and take care of the people and the temple.

What else? I create the events calendar and so on. I also take care of the grounds here outside the temple.

Does your family help you?

No. They have their own stuff going on.

I’m happy to be here. I feel close to the gods. I’m always here at six in the morning. My house is not that far from here.

What’s your Chinese New Year usually like?

I’m here at the temple taking care of the people that have come to pray here.

I don’t visit my relatives like other people might do for the Chinese New Year. My wife and kids go make the rounds, but I’m here.

So can I say being a caretaker is your full-time job?

Yeah. I don’t have any other job besides serving the gods and the community. I’m too old to do anything else [smiles].

You’ve been here for 30 years. How has Chinese New Year in Jakarta changed over the last three decades?

Back during the Suharto regime, Chinese people were not allowed to openly celebrate our religion and heritage in public.

We were allowed to commemorate Chinese New Year, but quietly, just among our family and relatives.

No parades in the streets or barongsai dancers in the malls.

After Gus Dur became president in 1999, he made it so we were allowed to participate in activities related to Chinese-Indonesian culture.

Ethnic Chinese people in Indonesia owe Gus Dur a lot. Thanks to him you can see parades and barongsai at Glodok, Pasar Baru and a few other spots throughout Jakarta.

Any officials or famous people ever come here and visit the temple? Fauzi Bowo, perhaps?

The governor has never come here. But a few years ago, Meutia Hatta [former state minister for women’s empowerment] made a visit to the temple.

What’s the significance of kue keranjang and oranges for the Chinese New Year?

Kue keranjang is a round glutinous cake [made from flour and sugar]. It’s a symbol of a strong, united family.

But you don’t actually eat kue keranjang until the Cap Go Meh celebration (the 15th night after Imlek). At Imlek you dedicate kue keranjang to the gods first.

Oranges are seen as a symbol of luck and wealth, so if someone offers you one, don’t refuse it.

Can you tell us a few more dos and don’ts for Imlek?

Give ang pao [cash gift] to the poor and don’t sweep your house on Imlek.

People believe that sweeping your house on that day means you will sweep away good fortune. We believe Imlek is the time when good luck comes to every home.

According to the Chinese zodiac, we’re entering the year of the rabbit. What can we expect?

I wouldn’t trust a horoscope any more than about 50 percent.

I wouldn’t go any further than that. I believe that your actions are like the ground you are standing on.

You live by your karma. Just make sure you do good deeds if you want good karma. It’s as simple as that.
Jakarta Globe
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