China
The influnce China has on Australia
Food
The influence of Chinese food in Australia began in the gold rush of the 1850’s and 1860’s, when the first organised groups of Chinese came to Australia in search of gold. Because of the number of Chinese people who came to Australia to find gold, Chinese immigrants also opened Chinese restaurants that served traditional dishes for themselves and for the locals. By 1890, it was said that one-third of all the cooks in Australia were Chinese. The Chinese also invented chopsticks, based on the idea that instruments used for killing should be banned from the dinner table. Therefore, knives are not allowed, and that is why Chinese food is always chopped into small pieces before it is served.
Festivals
Chinese New Year is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar. The new year begins on the first day of the Chinese calendar, which usually falls in February, and the festivities continue for 15 days. During Chinese New Year celebrations, people wear red clothes, give children 'lucky money' in red envelopes, and set off firecrackers.Chinese New Year ends with the lantern festival, where people hang decorated lanterns in temples and carry lanterns to an evening parade under the light of the full moon. The highlight of the lantern festival is often the dragon dance. The dragon can be as long as 30 metres and is typically made of silk, paper and bamboo. In Sydney, more than 500,000 people crowd the streets to celebrate the Lunar New Year and all things Chinese.
Leisure activities
The ongoing practice of Chinese culture in Australia was generally regarded as important. The main features of Chinese culture practiced by all groups included; language, respect for elders, diet and following Chinese festivals and entertainment.
Other influences
The Chinese culture influenced Australia in terms of cuisine, technology, religion and products. But like so many other cultures, they have all contributed to a multicultural society which is clearly apparent today.