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The Chinese believe that once a year, the souls of the dead are let loose to roam among the
living for a month. To be more precise, the gates of hell are thrown opened annually on the
first day of the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar (August) and shut on the 30th day
after the last ghoul is hauled home [see calendar]. To appease
the these wandering spirits, the Chinese offer
a banquet filled with sumptuous food, gifts and entertainment. This festival known as the
Festival of the Hungry Ghost, has been celebrated for as long as the Chinese have been here.
Each celebration lasts for two days to a week and involves lots of work and money. Throughout
the seventh month, large makeshift shelters built by various Chinese organisations, will occupy
roadsides especially those that are within the Chinese districts.
Large colourful flags are posted along the road leading to the shelter, in front of which are rows
of giant joss sticks with elaborate dragon motifs. Banners and curtains are hung beneath the roof
leading to a temporary shrine dedicated to the King of Ghosts and his four officials. These gods,
represented by paper effigies, are guardians of the spirit world and have the power to incarcerate
wanton spirits who misbehave or take advantage of the living. Hence, the Chinese pray to these
gods for blessings as well as protection from the supernatural. To entertain the gods, the
organisers hire a traditional Chinese opera to perform every afternoon and night on a makeshift
stage erected directly opposite the shrine.
At noon on the first day, a Taoist medium performs the opening ritual by painting a spot of
vermilion ink on various parts of the effigy's face and body. This is aid to bring the effigy
to life, supposedly possessed by the spirit of the god.
On the feast day, several large tables filled with foodstuff ranging from fruits to cakes, roast
meats to imported liquor, are placed before the gods. Sometimes, material possessions are also
placed on the tables to be blessed. Chinese who live nearby flock to the shrine to pay their
respects to the dead and to ask for special blessings from the gods. All day and night, the
scent of burning incense from joss sticks and urns placed on the altar table as offerings,
permeates the air.
At midnight on the last day, a grand bonfire is held at an appointed site where the paper effigies
are burnt along with paper artifacts and hell notes as a symbolic send off to the King of Ghosts
and his four officials. Within minutes, everything goes up in smoke and the festival comes to an
end. Everything returns to normal until next year when the gates of hell are open once more.