Cap Go Meh feast or Xiaojie Yuan in Chinese that falls on the 15th lunar month of the first year is one of the traditional Chinese holidays. According to the Tiongkok society's tradition, when Cap Go Meh feast has finish the Chinese Ney Year will be ended.
Usually in Indonesia< Chinese new year and Cap Go Meh falls on the season, when rainfall is high and the soil is ready tilled. Because of that fact, this event used by the fisherman and the farmer. Imlek calender can be called "Nungli" or "Calender for farmer". And of the time the peoples greet each other and say "Congratulation and Hopefully a lot of luck".
Every time when Cap Go Meh feast happen, the colour face of the lion dance (sometimes also refered to liongsai) always appear. The word "Barongsai" is the combination word of the "Barong" in Java languange and "Sai-Lion" in Noktian languangen. Lion in Tiongkok means happiness. People believe that "Barongsai" can expel evil spirits.
At Cap Go Meh watching the lanterns (lampion) and eating dumpling are two important parts. Depend on the rules, every public places and every house should place colorful lanterns, especially on the main street and main cultural place will held lanterns exhibition. Eating dumpling in Cap Go Meh festival is an old tradition that came from song dynasty in the years of 960 up until now. The dumpling is made of flour and fruit jam, and the taste is delicious.
