Cameron Highlands Tea Plantation, Malaysia

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Wordful/ Wordless Wednesday - Hungry Ghosts' Festival

It is the time of the year again where the Chinese community mainly Taoists and Buddhists observed the Hungry ghosts Festival. For those who have never heard of this festival, it is a popular tradition that is taken very seriously by most Chinese.

According to superstious beliefs, the gates of hell are opened during the 7th lunar chinese month allowing the hungry ghosts who then roam freely to seek food on Earth for 30 days. The main reason why most Chinese observe this festival is to pay special tribute to their dearly departed loved ones. They also feel that by offering food to the deceased appeases them and ward off bad luck and misfortune.

I've started hearing free entertainment with music blasting and dancing late into the night, courtesy of the Hungry Ghosts Society down the road from where I lived. I could not recall my mom ever telling us anything about what we could or couldn't do during hungry ghosts month because they weren't terribly superstitious about it. But then, we still fulfill this religious obligation annually to show respect and remembrance to our deceased anchestors.

I've heard numerous spooky ghost stories though but knock on wood, I've not encountered one before. I used to believe in them when I was a kid, and I could remember how thrilling yet convincing the stories were but that was a very long time ago. I don't believe in supernatural stuff in quite the same manner nowadays. I know there are some people who have encountered unexplainable phenomena and happenings in life but that doesn't mean to say that 'ghosts' are the cause. I'm sure all of these things had logical explanations behind them.

The festival is widely celebrated by the Chinese community in Penang. Temporary canopies and tents are widely set up on the streets. However, what really creeps me out is how the monks will sing spooky songs dedicated to the wandering spirits or ghosts during the prayer sessions.


Striking coloured flags were put up along the roads leading to the tents several days before the festival begins which normally serve two purposes. The ghosts can follow the flags to reach the festival and at the same time, the flags are also a landmark for devotees to visit the tents.


Food offerings to the hungry ghosts

These are giant sized dragon joss sticks burnt as offerings for the hungry ghosts.

These are 'hell money notes' and other items such as clothes, gold and other fine goods to be burnt so that the departed souls can enjoy these comforts in their afterlife. Some families also burn paper houses, televisions, cars to please their deceased anchestors.


After an offering has been burnt to the spirits, it is a taboo to step on the burnt area as it is believed to be an opening to the world of spirit and touching it might cause the person to be possessed.

Don't be surprised if you don't see many Chinese out at night for the next week or two.


First Commenter - Carver

53 comments:

  1. This was a very interesting psot. Great shots.

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  2. Very Informative pics, Thanks for sharing.Happy WW!

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  3. Very interesting post. I did not know about Hungry ghosts festival. Noice pictures too!
    Happy WW.
    Cheers
    preeti

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  4. Yupe! It is here again! :) It is the moment where we will observe Hungry ghost festival again. =)

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  5. Wow! I thought I could be the FC here, but when I arrived...there were already 4 comments. =/

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  6. Not only the hungry ghost seek food...it is also said that those with vengeance will seek revenge...so we'd better be careful! =)

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  7. Wonderful insight to your culture. I would have never known if I had not visited your blog! That's why I come back for more interesting tidbits from your side of the planet. :)

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  8. Yeah! This time around we can listen to a lot of free music aye! Ouh..your family is not that superstitious? Mine is relatively superstitious. I still remembered warning us not to wander around during this month. =D

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  9. I believe some of these stories are true...Sometimes some things cannot be explained right? Perhaps not yet I guess. =/

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  10. Anyway I hope we can observe and try to enjoy this month ya. =)

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  11. I remember ECL's post about those paper stuffs for the dead. I also heard from tekkaus and ladyviral about this month for the chinese.

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  12. It's nice to know things other people practice or believe in. I also have high respects with the dead and lost souls. May they all rest in peace.

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  13. oh no I still go out for supper, almost every night :-P

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  14. I must remind myself that it's the month of Hungry Ghost Festival!! :)

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  15. Wow. I did not know about this festival. Thanks for sharing!

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  16. Haven't seen anything up at my place yet (Balakong). Maybe soon eh?

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  17. everything that happen within this month are assumed to have something to do with them. we weren't very fair, were we. :p

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  18. thx for sharing..haven't seen this kind of practice at my place..

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  19. My mom told me today is the 14th day already! She said it is the most frightful day... I bet she is just trying to make me stay home haha.

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  20. Yes less and less people will be out. With the 7th month and H1N1, I think it be affecting alot of people in the retail business or travelling.

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  21. Lovely shots, LR. Oh yes you told me about Wordless Wednesday. I went to check it out looks like they got a whole week thing going. I am confused though. If we post up a WW, then only we post our link to their website?

    Though I take pictures very randomly, so I may not participate just yet :). Would love to know more. Hee~

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  22. Hi Life Ramblings, wow! You sure brought back memories to me. I have totally forgotten about this.
    Love your well taken pics....especially the last pic of burning money.
    I learned a lot from you today....
    You have a nice day and keep well, Lee.

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  23. Since when did wordless Wed changed into a wordful Wed? LOL!

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  24. Anyway, a good write up on this topic! So the flags are to guide the wandering spirits?

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  25. Ooh! I hate those songs sung by the monks that are dedicated to the spirits and ghosts! Creeps me out too!

    I wonder if ghosts really eat those joss sticks and candles? Only seen such things in movies!

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  26. Somehow, I don't quite believe about burning hell money or TV and cars for the deceased. I think it's just burning away real money!! I doubt if the deceased really need them.

    Besides, the deceased may have already reincarnated and reborn. So where would those things we burnt for them end up?

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  27. Also, only us Chinese practise this custom. So I guess non Chinese ghosts don't get to enjoy Ghost Festival? And poor things, they do not even get TVs and hell money! : )

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  28. Guess what? I've been going out late these few nights! Should I go home early?

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  29. I have heard about it but has never bother to find out what it is. Thanks for sharing.

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  30. Wonderful LR! i love all of the colors!! I got your comment and you will be listed in my post for tomorrow.

    thanks bunches and good luck!!:-))

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  31. Very interesting ritual. who eats all the yummy food on behalf of the ancestors. Must be kind of comforting to know you won't be forgotten after departing this world.

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  32. Very interesting post,
    thanks for sharing :)
    Nice shots from the festival!!

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  33. lovely... wish i was there to explore and enjoy this fesitval

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  34. Have to avoid coming home late at night and also no swimming for this month. :P

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  35. Tomorrow is the 15th, so there will be huge celebrations.

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  36. I just helped my parents to burn their offerings to our ancestors. :P

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  37. Very very interesting !! I learn every day and your photos demonstrate the festival perfectly !

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  38. Very interesting!
    Never heard of such a thing before.
    Great post!

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  39. Yay! I think I should ask my Fil-Chinese brother-in-law about this festival. It really sounds spooky. I can't imagine myself listening to some spooky songs either. I'd freak out, lol!

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  40. Ladyviral,

    Today is the 15th. obviously, there will be a big feast for the hungry ghosts.

    To join WW, leave your link if your're playing on the particular day. you can stop by whenever you like, absolutely no obligation.

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  41. Sukhmandir,

    the food is usually consumed after the prayer sessions by worshippers.

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  42. thanks everyone for such nice compliments and feedback.

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  43. Oooh I see... but somehow I noticed you all play on Wednesday most.. hence the name I guess hehe.

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  44. Hungry Ghost? I thought they (ghosts) are released from hell, treated as a 'holiday', for them to 'visit' their relatives?

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  45. Hungry ghost sounds cute but also scary he he! ;)

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  46. Weekend is finally here, yay to that! :)

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  47. You are so funny...
    I know there are some people who have encountered unexplainable phenomena and happenings in life but that doesn't mean to say that 'ghosts' are the cause. I'm sure all of these things had logical explanations behind them.
    Yes, those are dead people, that is the logical explaination.

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  48. CatLadyDiary,

    i'm referring to those people who believe in the existence of ghosts. and I'm not saying they are completely wrong to believe that way. Just saying they aren't always right.

    thanks for visiting.

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