Another version of the role of sugar cane in Pai Thee Kong ceremony, according to Sifu Sabrina

There’re few versions of the folklore why Fujians pray with sugar cane to the Jade Emperor,” says Sifu Sabrina. “One account says Fujians fleeing from marauding Mongols in ancient times hid in a sugarcane plantation. Despite a few days’ search, the Mongols couldn’t find them and the Fujians emerged safely on the 9^th day of the 1^st lunar month, which coincided with the birthday of the Jade Emperor. Thus, thanksgiving payers were offered to the Jade Emperor on this day. Another version says Japanese pirates pursued the Fujians instead.  A third folklore--which Mummy Lulu told me when I attended her after-Pai Thee Kong feast at midnight--describes the Fujians as  farmers-turned-warriors when they cut sugar cane stalks in a plantation and improvised them into spears, long poles and billy sticks!  Using the sugar-cane weapons, they whacked the Mongols, driving them off! Whoa!” 

A grin hovering on her lips, Sifu Sabrina chews on her little finger. “You expect me to believe this sugar-cane weapon story by Mummy Lulu?”  A chuckle escapes from her delicate throat.

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