Oh look, the sky is suddenly all hazy again! Are we experiencing another haze fest like the insane episode last June? Hell No! (Oops I shouldn't have said that...) Well it's not Indonesia's fault this time.
Neither is it any chemical fog transported all the way from Gaza after the massive explosion at one of the power stations. Unsurprisingly, we are causing this month's smog, well at least only some of us. Yes guys, we are entering the 7th month of the Chinese calendar, otherwise known as 'qi yue' to many.
Much like an Asian version of Halloween, 'qi yue', dubbed the Hungry Ghost Festival, is a time where several believers of the tradition would burn what we know colloquially as 'hell notes', euphemistically speaking currency that is commercially manufactured but can only be used in the Netherworld. Sounds eerie enough already huh?
It is a common sight to have people standing around mini stoves or drums, and subsequently throwing a bulk of lightweighted papers of varied shapes, sizes and colours, some of them even having gold or silver embroidery on them, into the drums. A lighting of fire ensues and the whole baggage ignites into what produces the choking smog that you're about to experience in the next few weeks.
This process of burning hell notes is an avenue in which the traditionalists pay respects to their ancestors, in the belief that at the start of every 7th month, the gates of the Netherworld are opened and souls are released to roam the world. Think of it as Hades opening the gates of the Underworld and souls are free to feast on anything they'd like in the real world. (I wouldn't want to go to the extent of the Tartarus gates and Kronos' release)
This would probably explain the second common sight aside from the burning of hell notes among the traditionalists, which is the laying out of food and consumables on tables or simply mats on floors. The feast is accompanied by several candles and this setting represents the offering that they make to their ancestors.
Think of it as an effort to satiate their hunger - i mean they have been locked up in a cell for quite some time no? Simple prayers would follow to ask for peace and tranquility in the house, so that no one's sanity is jeopardised during this month of mourning (well you are supposed to remember your ancestor's previous existence).
All in all, the Hungry Ghost Festival can be observed to be a very respectable one, with centuries of culture and history. It is amazing that its delegated practices can continue to flourish in a metropolitan society like ours today and I feel that is commendable. It shows that though we have advanced so quickly and extensively, we do still take the time to fall back on tradition and reflect on what has been, personally of course.
Being part of Asian culture, it is common for us to feel a sense of mourning and (autumntime) sadness as we partake in 'qi yue' activities. I believe though that despite the rigmarole of burning papers and setting up food stuff, there is, eventually, a great sense of purpose and humility attained in the process.
And just in case this article drew you to your knees and a remorseful state, well fret not, for the mid-autumn festival is also just around the corner (and a celebratory one indeed with lots of mooncakes that you can't handle!)
