User:Tingmore/Yum Seng
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Yum seng (or yam seng) is predominantly a Singaporean and Malaysian wedding tradition, with its origins in China, whereby wedding guests can bless the newly wedded couple and show their desire for the marriage to be a successful and prosperous one. The words yum seng are typically shouted by guests, often on queue by the wedding MC, with the length and volume of the yum seng corresponding to the magnitude of success and prosperity the guests are wishing upon the couple.
Etymology[edit]
The phrase yum seng is made up of two chinese words: 'yum', meaning to drink; to swallow; to suck in and 'seng', meaning victory, success; surpass, be superior to, get the better of; superb, wonderful, lovely.[1] Together, the phrase translates as "drink to success" or "drink to victory". Colloquially, the phrase is also an exclamation made before an alcoholic drink is consumed, similar to "cheers" or "bottoms up".
History[edit]
The history of the yum seng tradition stems back to ancient China when, on the eve of battle, Chinese generals would dine and have full meals with their armies in order to boost morale. The shout of yum seng, literally translated as "drink to success", would be used as a toast in these situations.
Another form of exclamation used when drinking is "gan bei"[2], which is similar to "yum seng" in meaning. However, there are negative, superstitious connotations in the use of "gan bei" in wedding celebrations as the term implies drinking until there is nothing left[3]. Traditionally, this is taken to mean that all the propserity will be consumed and nothing will be left for future generations.
Today, while most notably being used as an exclamation of good fortune on a newly wedded couple, it is also used in social drinking situations. It has also been known to be used ceremonially during formal dinners as a way of asserting a sense of identity.
Wedding tradition[edit]
The original Chinese practice is to have three toasts: one to the married couple for a happy marriage, one for the couple's parents to honour them, and one for the guests upon whom the couple will need to rely on for support.[4]
The use and practice of the yum seng toasts at weddings today vary widely. Depending on the preference of the wedding party, yum seng toasts can range from being a communal yum seng with all guests involved in one large toast to being a single or multiple toast on a table by table basis as the wedding party visits each table of guests.
References[edit]
- ^ "A Dictionary of Singlish and Singapore English". Jack Tsen-Ta Lee.
- ^ "China Dining Custom". Beijing Destination Guide.
- ^ "Urban Dictionary: gan bei-ing". Urban Dictionary.
- ^ NG, Kam Weng. Interview with Rev. Wong Fong Yang. Kairos Research Centre Malaysia.