KUCHING: For Sarawakians living abroad, Chinese New Year is often when homesickness feels strongest.
Even as they build new lives thousands of kilometres away, the sights, smells and sounds of the festival remain vivid in their memories.
The aroma of favourite dishes, the chatter and laughter of family, vibrant decorations and the excitement of reunion dinners are powerful reminders of home.
Several Sarawakians, speaking to Sarawak Tribune, shared how they celebrate the festival overseas, how they cope with the distance, and what they miss most about marking the occasion back home.
Their stories show that while celebrations may look different abroad, the heart of Chinese New Year — family, connection and shared joy — remains unchanged.
In Perth, Calvin Wong, 36, said celebrating away from Sarawak brings a quiet sense of longing.
“Being far from Sarawak has not dimmed my love for Chinese New Year, but I miss the smell of Sarawak laksa, the laughter of friends, and the streets of my hometown coming alive with festive cheer,” he said.
Even from afar, Wong keeps traditions alive. Giving red packets to family members is a simple gesture, but one that keeps him connected to his roots.
“It is not just about the food or decorations. It is about staying connected to our roots and feeling close to those we love, even from afar,” he added.
Looking ahead to the New Year, his wishes are heartfelt.
“Huat ah Huat ah Huat ah. May this new year bring love, blessings and happiness to all,” he said.
For Mathew Woon, 42, who works at Jellyfish restaurant under the Artichoke brand in Singapore, Chinese New Year is a quieter affair spent with his wife’s family. Yet the pull of Sarawak is never far.
“I miss being around my family, especially our reunion dinner at my grandparents’ home. I also really miss the Hainanese dishes that are always prepared for the occasion, as well as the fireworks at midnight,” he said.
Although he does not observe many specific traditions overseas, the reunion meal remains an important reminder of what the festival represents.
“A new year arrives with fresh opportunities to relive our dreams and work towards achieving our goals,” he said, encouraging others to cherish time spent with loved ones.
Also in Perth, Bryan Ho, 42, goes to great lengths to recreate the celebrations he remembers from Kuching. On Chinese New Year Eve, his kitchen fills with the aromas of homemade yee sang, chap chai, steamed fish and a clay pot dish with leek and scallops — dishes that remind him of home.
For Ho, cooking is more than a tradition. It is a way of returning home, if only for a brief moment.
“The Ho family is very big and united. I miss visiting my aunties and uncles and catching up with my cousins and friends,” he said.
Despite the distance, Ho continues to observe customs passed down through generations. Bright colours are worn on the first day to welcome good fortune, and sweeping is avoided to ensure prosperity is not symbolically brushed away.
“My hope for my immediate family is that my parents have good health and that my family will be blessed with lots of love and good fortune. I also hope my business will venture further into the east coast of Australia, particularly Sydney and Melbourne,” he said.
He also conveyed warm wishes to Sarawakians back home, hoping the year will bring prosperity and happiness to all.
For 29-year-old Elina Law, life in Perth has been busy since completing her Master of Teaching in Early Childhood. Between tutoring, babysitting and photography, she still makes space for the traditions that shaped her upbringing.
Her preparations begin with a thorough cleaning of the house and the excitement of buying new cheongsams. Celebrations are spent with close friends, enjoying game nights filled with laughter and friendly wagers.
“It is not quite like home, but once the cards come out, the Chinese New Year mood is there,” she said.
When asked what she misses most about celebrating in Sarawak, her answer was immediate.
“Honestly? Everything,” she said.
She misses reunion dinners, the joyful noise of family members talking over one another, and festive treats such as pineapple tarts and kuih kapit that appear only once a year. More than anything, she misses how the festive season brings everyone home, even if only briefly, creating rare opportunities to reconnect.
To keep the spirit alive overseas, Law continues to buy new clothes and organise reunion dinners with friends, describing these efforts as small but meaningful reminders of home.
“My hope for the New Year is that families can spend more time together and truly cherish one another. Life can be both hard and short, so being present with loved ones feels more important than ever,” she said.
In Melbourne, Edmond Lu, 36, marks the occasion with a modest reunion dinner alongside family members who also live there. Still, he finds himself missing the familiar rhythm of Chinese New Year in Sarawak — decorating the house, shopping for festive necessities, visiting relatives and watching fireworks light up the night sky.
Though his celebrations abroad are simple, handing out angpow remains a tradition he continues to uphold.
“For my family and friends, I wish for happiness and good health. Wishing everyone a very happy Chinese New Year, and I hope to see all of you soon,” he said.
The experiences of these Sarawakians reflect a shared reality. While their surroundings may differ and celebrations abroad may be smaller, the core values of Chinese New Year — family, gratitude, togetherness and hope — remain constant.
Distance may change how the festival is observed, but it often deepens appreciation for the reunions, traditions and shared moments that define the occasion.
As another lunar year begins, their greetings travel across oceans, carrying wishes of prosperity, health and happiness — along with the quiet hope that one day soon, they will once again celebrate the New Year in Sarawak, surrounded by the people they love most.
