SJK(C) Dung Sang celebrates mid-autumn festival

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Lau (centre), Ting (third left) and others cut moon-cakes to symbolically start the celebration.

SIBU: It was a joyous gathering at the school hall of SJK(C) Dung Sang here on Saturday evening where the school held its mid-autumn festival celebration in collaboration with the Village Development, Security Committee (JKKK) of Jalan Diong Kik and Shiun Daw Methodist.

Chairman of JKKK Jalan Diong Kik, Kapitan Lau Kui Seng who was the guest-of-honour also sponsored the prizes for a lucky draw.

In his speech, Lau said mid-autumn or moon cake festival which is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar is the second most important festival after Chinese New Year, when the moon will be at its roundest and brightest. The festival falls on Sept 24 this year.

“Ancient Chinese observed the close relationship between changes in the seasons and farming. Hence, to give thanks to the moon and celebrate the harvest, they offered sacrifice to the moon on autumn days.

“This custom which can be traced to the Zhou Dynasty (1046 – 256 BC) was practised by the royal class on the Autumnal Equinox. During the Northern Song Dynasty (960 – 1127 AD), the festival became a widely celebrated folk festival,” he said.

Lau added that the festival celebrates three fundamental concepts that are closely connected, namely gathering, thanksgiving and praying.

The school headmistress Ting Sui Hee was among those present.