Singaporeans Bring a Taste of Home to Ghanaian Chinese New Year Celebration
ACCRA, Ghana: Celebrating Chinese New Year away from home can be a challenging endeavor, especially in places where Singaporean communities are scarce. For two Singaporeans living in Accra, Ghana, Mr. Scott Law and Ms. Jean Ng, the Year of the Snake ushered in a unique celebration that involved recreating the flavors and traditions of their homeland some 11,500km away.
The duo, both residing in Accra, embarked on a culinary journey to infuse the essence of Spring Festival into their Ghanaian surroundings. By planning a menu filled with familiar dishes, Mr. Law and Ms. Ng aimed to bring a taste of home to their Chinese New Year celebration. Among the dishes prepared was ‘Koloyok,’ a Cantonese sweet and sour pork dish that holds a special place in Mr. Law’s heart.
“Back home, (this) is called Koloyok,” explained Mr. Law as he expertly stir-fried the pork dish, reminiscent of the flavors found in hawker stalls across Singapore. “It’s basically pork with some sweet and sour sauce drizzled on top. This is one of my favorite dishes.”
Creating a Taste of Home in a Foreign Land
Despite the challenges of sourcing ingredients in Ghanaian supermarkets, Mr. Law and Ms. Ng managed to recreate familiar Singaporean recipes. However, Mr. Law noted that the quality of the ingredients in Ghana often led to a different taste profile than what he was accustomed to back home.
“The quality of the food (here) is very different – the quality of the meat, also the quality of vegetables… so the taste obviously comes out different,” Mr. Law shared. “Overall, (the ingredients) are easy to buy, but you can never match what you taste at home.”
Having relocated to Accra a year ago to work as a hotel manager, Mr. Law was joined by Ms. Ng, who has called Ghana home for approximately six years, working to bridge Singaporean businesses with new markets in West and Central Africa. Their shared experience of celebrating Chinese New Year in a foreign land bonded them in a unique way, as the few Singaporeans in Ghana often find themselves longing for the festivities and traditions they grew up with.
This year, the pair extended their celebration to include a South American friend from Guyana, real estate manager Krystal Joy, who joined them for a home-cooked meal and a virtual experience of the live-streamed celebrations from afar.
“It’s nice to experience other cultures. For me, it’s really important so I feel really honored to be a part of this beautiful celebration,” Ms. Joy expressed, reflecting on her unique Chinese New Year experience in Ghana.
Missing Home and Loved Ones
As the festivities unfolded in Accra, Mr. Law and Ms. Ng shared a sentiment familiar to many expatriates – the longing for family gatherings and cherished traditions that mark the holiday season. Recalling lion dance displays and morning visits with relatives back in Singapore, Ms. Ng expressed her yearning for the familial warmth and customs that define Chinese New Year.
Similarly, Mr. Law reflected on the bittersweet reality of being far from loved ones during the holiday, emphasizing the importance of cherishing moments that are often taken for granted when close to home. Despite the physical distance, the shared experience of celebrating with a fellow Singaporean and a newfound friend brought a sense of camaraderie and connection amidst the longing for home.
While the celebrations in Accra may lack the bustling streets and familiar faces of Singapore, Mr. Law and Ms. Ng found solace in each other’s company and the virtual presence of their families and friends back home. As they navigate the complexities of celebrating Chinese New Year in a foreign land, the shared traditions and flavors of home serve as a reminder of the bonds that unite them across continents and cultures.
