Echoes of the Ancestors: Celebrating the Hungry Ghost Festival in Modern Singapore
Growing up in a Taoist household in Singapore, the Hungry Ghost Festival, or "Zhong Yuan Jie," was a significant annual event marked by unique customs and vibrant celebrations. This festival, held during the seventh lunar month, is rooted in the belief that the gates of hell open, allowing spirits to roam the human realm. It is a time to honour and appease these spirits through various rituals and offerings.
History and Traditions
The Hungry Ghost Festival has ancient origins and is believed to have been influenced by Buddhist and Taoist practices. Traditionally, it involves making offerings to hungry ghosts to appease them and to deter them from causing mischief. These offerings typically include food, incense, and joss paper, which are burned as a form of currency for the spirits in the afterlife.
One of the most memorable aspects of the festival for me was the communal dinners and auctions. These dinners were not just about food but were also a time for families and communities to come together. The auctions, often lively and competitive, were a way to raise funds for temple activities and community services. Items auctioned ranged from household goods to symbolic offerings, with participants often bidding generously to show respect for the spirits and to bring good fortune to their families.
Modern Celebrations in Singapore
In contemporary Singapore, the Hungry Ghost Festival retains its traditional core while adapting to modern times. Public performances known as "getai" are a prominent feature, where entertainers perform songs, dance, and comedy to entertain the living and the spirits. These performances are often colourful and boisterous, attracting large crowds. If you ever attend one, do not sit in the first row – those are reserved for the spirits.
Many households and businesses still set up altars with food and joss sticks as offerings. Despite urbanization, these practices continue to thrive, reflecting the community's commitment to preserving cultural heritage.
Celebrations in Across Asia
The Hungry Ghost Festival is also celebrated in various forms across other Asian countries, each adding its unique cultural influence to the observance.
China
The festival, known as "Ghost Festival" or "Yulanpen Festival," involves similar practices such as offering food, burning incense, and joss paper. However, it is also common for families to release floating lanterns on rivers to guide the spirits back to the underworld.
Taiwan
Taiwanese celebrations are elaborate, with large-scale offerings, parades, and the construction of temporary bamboo stages for opera performances. These performances are meant to appease the wandering spirits and are a central part of the festival.
Malaysia
The Hungry Ghost Festival in Malaysia is similar to Singapore's, with getai performances, communal feasts, and public offerings. However, it includes additional activities such as street processions and elaborate temple ceremonies.
Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, large, public rituals and offerings in parks and open spaces mark the festival. Burning giant paper effigies of luxury items, such as cars and houses, is a common practice to ensure that the spirits are well provided for in the afterlife.
Thailand
In Thailand, particularly among the Chinese-Thai community, the festival is known as "Sart Chin" and includes offerings of food and paper goods, as well as merit-making ceremonies at temples to honour deceased relatives.
Dos and Don’ts
Observing the Hungry Ghost Festival comes with several traditional dos and don’ts aimed at ensuring respect for the spirits and avoiding bad luck:
Dos
Show respect to the offerings and rituals.
Maintain positive actions and thoughts to avoid attracting negative spirits.
Don’ts
Avoid staying out late at night
Don’t step on offerings
Avoid large bodies of water
Whistle at night
These customs and beliefs play a crucial role in maintaining harmony between the living and the spiritual world during the festival.
Growing up with these traditions instilled a deep sense of respect for cultural heritage and the unseen spiritual world. The Hungry Ghost Festival remains a poignant reminder of the rich tapestry of beliefs and practices that shape Singapore's multicultural society and its connections to broader Asian traditions.
