Eating 'Seven Kinds of Vegetables' on Renri Symbolizes Good Fortune – Expanding Promotion of Hakka Culture

(Miri, 23rd) Sarawak Minister of Transport and Sarawak United People’s Party Senadin Branch Chairman, Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, pointed out that the seventh day of the Lunar New Year is the traditional Chinese festival "Renri" or "People's Day", regarded as everyone's birthday, symbolizing the important day of the mutual birth of humanity. The Hakka community has the custom of eating Lei Cha "Seven Kinds of Vegetables" on Renri, a dish made with seven types of vegetables, carrying the meaning of health, good fortune, and favorable weather.

He said that "Seven Kinds of Vegetables" originates from Hakka traditional culture, mainly using various vegetables and beans as ingredients and does not contain high-fat meats, making it a light and healthy traditional food. With the passage of time, this traditional dish is now also sold in the market and has become a popular healthy choice.

Lee Kim Shin, himself a Hakka, has always observed this tradition and took the opportunity to offer everyone his blessings for Renri: wishing everyone "Happy Renri", good health, and all the best.

He made these remarks while attending and speaking at the Lei Cha Making and Tasting Event organized by the SUPP Lambir Branch Women’s Section at Lambir Secondary School at noon today. He pointed out that related celebrations were previously mostly held among association members, but this year marked the first time the scale was expanded to allow more members of the public to participate and experience the unique charm of Hakka culture together.

Lee Kim Shin, who is also the President of the Miri Hakka Association, said that the association has in recent years actively promoted traditional cultural heritage activities. In addition, May 1st each year is also an important day jointly celebrated by all Hakka people nationwide, with Hakka Hepo kinsfolk all over the country enjoying Lei Cha on that day to strengthen bonds within the community.

He also mentioned that Miri is one of the areas in Sarawak with a relatively concentrated Hakka population. There are many branches among the Hakka here, including Hepo, Guangning, Huining, Dapu, Jiaying (the Five Prefectures), Longchuan, and others. Although each has its own association, everyone shares the same roots, and they unite and work together under the platform of the Hakka Association to jointly promote cultural development.

Lee Kim Shin emphasized that only by uniting can Hakka culture be passed down and continue to be carried forward.