Chinese New Year is not just another date on the calendar. It is the biggest cultural celebration in the Chinese world, a mix of family, food, tradition and fresh starts. With Chinese communities firmly woven into Zimbabwean life, here are five things that make the festival relevant, relatable and worth joining.
1. It’s About New Beginnings, And Fireworks
Chinese New Year marks the start of a new lunar year and is deeply tied to renewal. People clean their homes, settle debts, mend relationships and reset intentions. If that sounds familiar, it is because it echoes many African traditions where a new season means clearing the old to make space for the new.
It is about starting the year on the right footing, personally, socially and spiritually.
Join the Harare Carnival celebrations at Sam Levy Village this weekend: 7 and 8 February 2026:
2. Family Comes First
Just like Christmas or Easter in Zimbabwe, Chinese New Year is centred on family. People travel long distances to be together, share meals and honour elders. Even public celebrations are an extension of that family spirit, open, generous and communal.
That is why Chinese New Year events often feel welcoming. They are built on the idea that celebration is better when shared.
3. Food Is the Language Everyone Understands
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Food is not just food during Chinese New Year. Every dish carries meaning. Dumplings symbolise wealth, noodles represent long life, fish stands for abundance and prosperity.
For Zimbabweans, this makes perfect sense. We already understand how meals bring people together, whether it is sadza at a family gathering or nyama at a celebration. Chinese New Year simply invites everyone to taste a different story.
4. You Don’t Need to Be Chinese to Join
Public Chinese New Year celebrations are designed for everyone. They are public, interactive and open by intention. Performances, games, parades and exhibitions are meant to be experienced, not observed from a distance.
That is why events like the Chinese New Year Carnival at Sam Levy’s Village focus on movement, exploration and participation. You attend as part of the moment.
5. How to Say “Happy New Year” to Your Chinese Friends
This is the easiest way to show respect and warmth during the season.
Happy New Year in Mandarin is:
Xīn Nián Kuài Lè (pronounced: shin nyen kwai luh)
If you want to sound extra thoughtful during Chinese New Year, say:
Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái (pronounced: gong shee faa tsai)
It means wishing someone prosperity and good fortune.
A smile and the effort matter more than perfect pronunciation. It is the thought that counts.
With the large number of Chinese friends in Zimbabwe, Chinese New Year is no longer a distant cultural moment. It is part of the country’s rhythm, its food scene, its business life and its people-to-people connections.
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