Early celebrations for the Year of the Rooster
Published:Tuesday | January 24, 2017 | 12:00 AM
WESTERN BUREAU:
A week in advance of their New Year's activities in the capital city, Kingston, several Chinese Jamaicans journeyed to the Mosino Casino in Montego Bay to commence their celebration of the Year of the Rooster.
The rooster is the 10th of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals and the fire within depicts the characteristic of being trustworthy with a strong sense of timekeeping and responsibility at work.
The Year of the Rooster comes just after the Year of the Monkey, and what was evident from the Chinese passenger who got on the 59-seater luxury bus from Kingston to travel to the Second City was the fact that they will add the word fortune to their blessings.
As soon as they got off the bus, they headed straight to the Mosino slot machines where they played to their heart's content, returning outside only when the traditional lion dance was being performed.
The symbolic dance, usually done during the first few days of the Chinese New Year, signifies courage, stability and superiority.
A new colour scheme, revamped menu, and an expanded deck area are among the amenities the Asia-born group saw on arrival in the Friendly City, complemented by a full Chinese buffet catered by the popular Dragon Court Restaurant.
Welcoming the group with opened arms, Mosino's director, Robin Perkins, said this was their way of saying thanks to a group that has been very supportive of the organisation.
"The Chinese make up a large section of Jamaica. They are very traditional and being able to celebrate their tradition with them gives us a feeling of joy," said Perkins, adding that the depiction of the lion dance was to bring good fortune to the business.
Perkins and his general manager, Daniel Arscott, were the perfect hosts, rewarding their guests with vouchers valued at US$88 and US$188, just so they could gamble in fine style.