Celebrating Lunar New Year in Maoming with Wang Xiaofeng: Fireworks and Reunion Traditions

In Maoming, Guangdong, the Spring Festival is more than a single day of celebration—it is a festive season that stretches from the end of one year into the next, rich with rituals and traditions. Every custom and detail reflects the Maoming people’s love for life, blessings for their families, and hopes for the coming year.

From the brightly lit homes and fragrant New Year’s Eve snacks, to the firecrackers and symbolic “Longevity Peach Cakes” on the first day, and the house-cleaning ritual on the third day, the spirit of the New Year in my hometown is found in everyday warmth. It lingers in the aroma of bamboo leaves, is kneaded into rice cakes, and wrapped in fresh lettuce leaves—woven into our heritage, warm and enduring.

 

The Taste of Maoming’s New Year Begins in the Kitchen

By mid-December of the lunar calendar, the festive spirit in Maoming quietly begins in the bustling kitchens of every household. Families start preparing traditional holiday treats, with zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) being one of the most important.

Maoming-style zongzi are generous and flavorful. Glutinous rice is soaked until soft, then layered with pork belly, peeled mung beans, and fragrant peanuts. Everything is carefully wrapped in large bamboo leaves and tied tightly with string. Boiled for hours, the aroma of bamboo leaves mingles with rice and meat, filling the entire neighborhood with an irresistible scent.

Once cooked, the strings are untied, and the bamboo leaves reveal glossy rice and savory fillings. Each bite offers a perfect balance of softness and flavor—salty, fragrant, and deeply satisfying. For people in Maoming, this taste is the heart of New Year’s memories, symbolizing family unity and rising prosperity.

Another essential New Year delicacy is Shoutao Ke (Longevity Peach Cakes), representing blessings and good fortune. Families gather to knead dough, shape wrappers, and fill them with peanuts, mung beans, and pork. Using a special wooden mold, the dough is pressed into peach shapes with delicate patterns.

After steaming, a touch of red food coloring is added. The cakes turn soft, fragrant, and slightly sweet. Elders say eating Shoutao Ke brings health, longevity, and abundant blessings. Children eagerly wait for the freshly steamed cakes, savoring the warm sweetness that creates some of the purest childhood memories.

Another joyful tradition is “Lettuce Wraps.” In Chinese, lettuce sounds like “growing wealth,” and wrapping symbolizes “wrapping fortune.” Fresh lettuce leaves are lightly blanched and filled with stir-fried peanuts, shredded radish, pork, and other ingredients. Steamed for about twenty minutes, the crisp lettuce balances the rich filling perfectly. Amid laughter and conversation, everyone shares hopes for prosperity and good fortune in the coming year.

 

Reunion Dinner: A Year of Abundance

New Year’s Eve is the most important and heartwarming night of the year in Maoming. Family members, no matter how far away they work, return home to gather around the dinner table for the reunion feast.

A cherished tradition passed down through generations is that the dishes must be plentiful, with some intentionally left over overnight. This is not waste—it symbolizes “abundance year after year.” Elders often say that leaving leftovers on New Year’s Eve brings full granaries, steady wealth, and a life of comfort and prosperity in the coming year.

Another enduring custom is keeping the house lights on throughout the night—from New Year’s Eve until late on the second day. Living rooms, hallways, and bedrooms glow warmly. This illumination drives away the darkness, symbolizing a bright future, good fortune, and protection from misfortune.

On New Year’s Eve, families also prepare offerings such as chicken, fish, and pork belly to bring to temples, expressing gratitude for the year’s blessings and praying for health, safety, and happiness. These simple acts reflect the Maoming people’s deep respect for life and their hopes for the year ahead.

Kinghelm and SLKOR Corporate Totem Artwork

On the morning of the first day of the New Year, the festival officially begins with the crackle of firecrackers. Tradition holds that the first act upon opening the door is to light firecrackers. The loud pops and drifting smoke symbolically drive away the troubles of the past year and welcome the good fortune of the new one.

After the firecrackers, families perform ancestor worship. Offerings are carefully arranged, incense is lit, and family members bow in sequence to honor their ancestors and pray for prosperity and harmony. This ritual is both a remembrance of roots and a living continuation of cultural heritage.

Following the ceremony, visiting relatives begins. In my family, we usually visit my grandparents on the first day, dressed in new clothes and carrying thoughtfully prepared gifts—especially homemade zongzi and Shoutao Ke. We exchange greetings and blessings, sharing warmth and care.

A simple “Happy New Year” or “Good health to you” carries deep affection. Elders hand out red envelopes, and the festive spirit grows stronger through family connections, laughter, and the irresistible aroma of traditional foods.

 

Ivory Carving Artwork: Auspiciousness and Blessings — From Kinghelm & SLKOR Headquarters

The second day of the New Year is reserved for visits from relatives and friends. The usually quiet house comes alive with laughter and chatter. In the kitchen, the sizzle of cooking fills the air as family members prepare a feast of beloved hometown dishes.

When the food is served, everyone gathers around the table, raising their glasses in celebration. Stories of the past year are shared—successes, funny moments, and hopes for the future. Laughter, conversation, and the clinking of glasses blend into a scene of pure joy. This is the truest form of reunion and the most heartwarming view of the New Year.

In Maoming, the first two days carry an important rule: no cleaning. Elders believe these are days when good fortune gathers, and sweeping might sweep away wealth and blessings. Even small bits of debris are left until the third day.

On the third day, families perform the tradition of “sweeping away bad luck.” Early in the morning, they clean the house thoroughly—from corners and doorways to courtyards—removing dust and clutter accumulated over the past days. Everything is swept out together.

Afterward, family members relax, preparing simple snacks or reheating leftover Shoutao Ke, enjoying them with a cup of hot tea. In the freshly cleaned home, they savor a moment of peace. This ritual is more than just housework—it is a symbolic farewell to the hardships and misfortunes of the old year and a warm welcome to prosperity and good fortune in the new one.

 

Kinghelm & SLKOR Have Good Tea Ready—We Look Forward to Your Visit!

From the leftovers symbolizing abundance on New Year’s Eve to the lights that stay on all night; from the crackle of firecrackers and ancestor worship on the first day to visiting relatives and hosting guests; from making zongzi, Shoutao Ke, and lettuce wraps in the weeks before the festival to the grand reunion dinner—Maoming’s New Year traditions are simple yet meaningful, humble yet deeply heartfelt.

There may be no extravagant ceremonies, but the warmth of everyday life fills every moment. These customs and foods, passed down through generations, carry the hometown memories embedded in every Maoming native. They capture the joy of families gathered under warm lights and the enduring hope for good weather, prosperity, and well-being in the year ahead.

Year after year, the smoke of celebration rises and the flavor of the New Year lingers. This unique sense of ritual in Maoming warms the hearts of those far from home, ensuring that every Spring Festival remains rich with flavor, emotion, and meaning.