Hungry Ghost Festival

The Hungry Ghost Festival is a traditional festival that is taken quite seriously by Chinese all over the world particularly in Asia. Just like the many myths and superstitions surrounding Halloween, the Hungry Ghost Festival has its fair share of ceremonial rituals. But unlike Halloween, the festival lasts for the entire 7th month of the lunar calendar (30 days).

During this time (typically somewhere between August and September), it is believed that the Gates of Hell are open, freeing ghosts and spirits to roam our world, away from their sufferings in the underworld where they had been banished to. It is believed that these spirits will be hungry for comfort and food, while some may seek out revenge or settlement for unfinished business.

As such, Chinese people usually line up a whole month of activities ranging from offerings of food to entertainment to appease these hungry ghosts. Here are some of the things you might want to look out for on your next trip to Asia:

Festival celebrations
As the term "hungry ghost" implies, offerings of food, such as roasted meats and all sorts of delicacies, can be seen everywhere during the month-long festival. Together with prayers, incense, paper money and other paper possessions (such as paper-made cars, telephones, and even credit cards) are burnt as offerings so that spirits can receive these worldly possessions to have a better life down under.

Such prayers and offerings can be found in households, along common residential areas or make-shift "party" venues otherwise known as Getai. These temporary venues not only offer prayers and food for the roaming spirits, they also offer entertainment such as singing, dancing and traditional performing arts for both spirits and humans alike. At such performances, the best seats in the house at the front row, are always reserved for the "VIPs".

The month-long festivities reach a climax on the 15th day of the 7th month and goes on for another 15 days before the 7th month is finally over. It is believed that the Gates of Hell shuts its doors after 30days and all roaming spirits will return back to the netherworld.

Myths and Superstitions
All spiritual festivals come with its fair share of urban legends and a list of do's and don'ts. Most commonly, the old folks will advise the youngsters not to stay out too late for fear of an encounter with harmful spirits since these spirits are considered most powerful at night. Here are a list of things to look out for if you are visiting the festival for the first time:

• Do not eat the delicacies used as offerings, unless otherwise served. It may be tempting to pick up a piece of fruit at these festivals but avoid this at all cost. These offerings are meant for the spirits and urban legend has seen many cases of mysterious illness striking the people who have pinched such offerings.


• Do not sit in the front row at the Getais (entertainment venues). These are strictly reserved for the VIPs aka Hungry Ghosts.


• Try to avoid stepping on burnt offerings. Chinese believe that burning items is the only way for spirits to receive offerings in the netherworld. Hence, it is believed that the area where the burning takes place becomes an "opening" to the netherworld and stepping on such an "opening" might subject one to ghostly possession.


• Avoid swimming at night during this month. It is believed that hungry ghosts lurk in the dark waters at night, increasing the risk of drowning.
  

Urban legends and festivities aside, this month-long event is also a time for children to show their filial piety. During this time, the younger generation in a typical household offers prayers, food and other wordly offerings to their ancestors as a mark their respect. Appeasing the roaming spirits aside, the Hungry Ghost Festival is a meaningful tradition where people take time out to remember those who have left.