Students celebrate the Year of the Monkey [PHOTO ESSAY]
Photographed and written by Cherrelle Rand
The Chinese New Year is one of the most important holidays that Chinese people from all over the world commemorate. This traditionally 15-day celebration is a time where people relax with family and recognize a year of hard work. SCAD’s Chinese Student Association hosted their annual New Year celebration at the student center on Friday, Feb. 12, sharing this intimate time with their peers. The event went from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and tickets for food were sold at $6 per person.
Each year is represented by a zodiac animal, with this year being that of the Monkey: the ninth animal out of 12.
“Monkey year you expect more energy, more lucky,” says Murly Zhang the secretary of the CTA.
The student center quickly becomes packed with students. The food—traditional Chinese cuisine—was served first and attendants were treated to videos of Chinese New Years commercials as they ate and socialized with friends.
When performance did begin, attendants were the introduction to the Chinese lion dance, contemporary dancing from an all girl group, and a student dressed in traditional dress clothing came and threw red envelopes out towards the crowd to name a few.
This year is also a time where people celebrate the legendary Monkey King from the Chinese novel based on classic folktales, “Journey to the West.” The story tells of the adventures of a priest Sanzang and his three disciples as they travel west in search of Buddhist Sutra.
“It reminds us of our childhood,” said Zhang. “That’s why this year is so liked.”
It is widely believed that a good start to a year will lead to a lucky year.
