KUALA LUMPUR: Although an ancient tradition of the Chinese motherland, modern, ethnic Chinese families around the world still observe and participate in the annual Hungry Ghost Festival – a month-long observance which pays respect to the spirits of deceased ancestors.
The festival, which begins on the first day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar, takes place from Aug 22 to Sept 19 this year.
During this period, the gateway to the netherworld is opened and the spirits of the dead are allowed to travel to the human world.
Various rituals and prayers are observed during the festival, which climaxes on the 14th day of the month. Some devotees follow the rituals in their entirety and to-the-letter, while others are less traditional in their observance.
For Jason Loh, 27, the festival is a family affair during which tradition is faithfully followed.
“We would usually gather at my uncle's house for prayers. After prayers, which include the offering of joss sticks, we would burn hell bank notes and other paper paraphernalia.
“This would be followed by the preparation of a spread of different dishes for our (ancestors’ spirits).
“The gathering is capped by a sumptuous family dinner,” he said.
On the 15th day, the Loh family would make further offerings to the hungry ghosts that lurk around them.
“We do this on a smaller scale, usually just offering a packet of mixed rice and some biscuits with the usual joss sticks and burning of paper.
“Although my parents used to say ‘come home early to avoid unnecessary encounters with ghosts’, I would still stay out late during this period, because I enjoy going out,” he said.
Loh said the essence of the Hungry Ghost Festival is demonstrating respect to departed ancestors and others who have passed on.
“Similar to Ramadan for Muslims, when the gates of hell are open during the month, I feel it is a time for us to reflect upon our actions,” he said.
Financial planner Desmond Chong Kok Fei, 44, however, refrains from going out at night during the Hungry Ghost Festival for fear of encountering those that have just been released from hell.
“I was told by my parents to adhere to the dos and dont’s of the Hungry Ghost month.
“It is not advisable to go to accident hotspots, to undertake unnecessary long-distance travel, to go to the beach (because they are believed to be the sites of disembodied spirits looking for (bodies to possess), so they can enter the rebirth realm),” he said.
Nevertheless, Chong and family also make paraphernalia offerings along the roadside during the Hungry Ghost Festival (to appease the wandering spirits and disincarnate entities), and make donations to Taoist and Buddhist temples.
Government officer Soon Li Wei, 28, however, only makes offerings to ancestors at home and does not abide by the taboos.
Similarly, accountant Jacques Ho, 27, said the festival is insignificant to his family, which does not observe it.