Asia
HUNGRY HUNGRY… GHOSTS?
Known as Yu Lan, the Hungry Ghost Festival started this past week in Hong Kong.
Similar to the western idea of Halloween, Chinese people believe that restless spirits will roam the earth during the seventh month of the Chinese calendar, particularly on the 15th day. During this month appeasements are made to feed these hungry ghosts, as well as your ancestors.
To a foreigner, the Hungry Ghost Festival probably looks a bit strange.
You’ll often see people lighting fires on the roadside or over sewers. They’ll use the fire to burn incense, fake money and other offerings for the ghosts to use in their afterlife. Often you’ll also find a plate of food being left out to satiate the hungry ghosts’ appetites.
We’ve been seeing this every night this past week in our neighborhood as we’ve been walking home– and as a result, a lot more stray animals and cockroaches have been out as well.
Besides burning things on the streets, people will also visit their ancestors’ graves to make similar offerings. However, visiting your ancestors during this time isn’t always that simple. Hong Kong is small, which means there are only a few major grave sites. So everyone and their mother (literally) were trying to pay a visit to these places at the same time.
Those who chose to drive or take a taxi ended up being stuck in traffic for hours, and those who took the bus, queued hours just to get on the bus, only to be later met with the crazy traffic.
1/3rd of the line for the bus
It took us almost one hour to get to Tsuen Wan, where we waited in line for a bus for over one hours. We never made it onto a bus. By the time we would’ve gotten through the traffic, it easily could have been over four hours for a journey that on any other day would only take 20 minutes.
At night, after all your offerings have been made, another highlight of the festival is watching traditional Chinese opera.
Enjoying a Chiu Chow opera performance
All around the city, temporary bamboo stages are put up and performances are held nightly. So if you see one going on, feel free to grab a seat and enjoy a free show.
Just don’t sit in the front row because those seats are reserved for the hungry ghosts!