Chinatown in Semarang

Sunday evening 3 February 2008 Angie and I went to “Pasar Imlek Semawis”, a special occasion to welcome the Chinese New Year. Usually “Waroeng Semawis”, as the center of culinary in Semarang is open three days a week, Friday-Saturday-Sunday. However, to welcome the Chinese New Year, Kopi Semawis (Komunitas Pecinan Semarang untuk Pariwisata—Semarang Chinatown Tourism Community ) holds a special occasion called “Pasar Imlek Semawis” located somewhere on Gang Pinggir, Gang Baru, and Beteng, not far from the usual location on Gang Waroeng.

Besides the location, another difference is people will find more sellers, both food and other things, such as clothing, souvenirs, etc.

Below is the picture of the gate to enter the location.


Here is the picture of a group of people entering the area.


There is also a doll’s house performance. Although the story was taken from Chinese land, and the puppets wore classical Chinese outfit, the puppeteer used Bahasa so that the visitors understood easily. However, because last Sunday evening there was Duo Maia performing on the main stage, not many people crowded the area where the doll’s house performance was held. Below is the picture.


Suara Merdeka, the biggest local newspaper in Central Java also had a stand and had a giant puzzle attracting people who loved filling in puzzles to join the game. You can see the pictures below.


Below is the picture of someone having to climb a ladder to fill in one box.


Angie and I came very late so that we didn’t follow the talk show talking about Chinese culture in the middle of Javanese environment. We could not get close to the stage either when Duo Maia performed. The main goal for us to visit “Pasar Imlek Semawis” was not to watch Duo Maia though, but to take a look the occasion.

Here is one place to 'see what your future is like'.


Below is a place for pranic healing.


Below are some pictures of “joget kethek” or monkey performance held one day before, Saturday afternoon. When I was a kid, this kind of performance was very popular and always attracted kids’ attention. The vaudeville group (the person didn’t perform anything though, only monkeys) traveled from one dwelling place to another to earn money. There were not many entertainments yet then. I don’t think that in this century, “joget kethek” still exists and competes with “modern” games to entertain kids.




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