Chinese New Year celebrations in Cyrildene – Gauteng photo essay

Kate Rau – 8 February 2012

Dragons, fireworks and Chinese lanterns were the order of the day in Cyrildene on Saturday as hundreds of locals took to the streets to celebrate Chinese New Year.

The start of the Year of the Water Dragon, festivities began at Nan Hua Temple in Bronkhorstspruit on January 23 and made their way across the province – ending in Derrick Avenue.

Not knowing what to expect, I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived in Cyrildene. It was as if I had been transported to a street party in Beijing, I imagine.

The road was cordoned off, with police guarding each exit and entrance. The electricity lines running along the street were decorated with bright-red Chinese lanterns, and restaurant tables (crowded with patrons) spilled over the pavement and onto the tarmac.

There were people everywhere – customers chatting across restaurant tables, teenagers playing with neon flashlights in the street, Buddhist monks in brown and orange robes.

The dragon chases the golden ball up Derrick Avenue. Image (c) Kate Rau

Everyone tries to catch a glimpse of the dragon. Image (c) Kate Rau

And then came the dragon! Made up of about 10 people, the huge, shiny dragon chased a golden ball up and down Derrick Avenue, dancing to the sound of traditional Chinese drums.

Fireworks explode into the night. Image (c) Kate Rau

Sparks of light caught on mobile camera. Image (c) Kate Rau

The dragon made a stop outside each restaurant and, as is custom at Chinese New Year, ate the fruit that hung from the door as a ceremonial offering. As restaurant owners received the dragon, they lit masses of firecrackers, sending loud bangs out into the night. The fireworks are symbolic of the dragon’s bountiful blessing, and the noise and light are believed to scare away dark spirits.

Throughout the evening I was served plate after plate of delicious Chinese fare. I tried everything, and enjoyed most. It was a veritable feast!

Lanterns float up from restaurant tables. Image (c) Kate Rau

Will this lantern be trapped forever? Image (c) Kate Rau

The evening ended with the flight of paper lanterns. Red and white globes of light floated into the sky and the revellers, it seemed, disappeared with them. I looked at my watch just before calling a taxi – it was 9.30pm. New Year had come and gone like a fairytale.