A woman in the neighbourhood was burning some joss paper by the roadside yesterday. Why, it's the month of the hungry ghost! The Hungry Ghost Festival is said to honour the dead, not just the dead people we know and are related to, I suppose. Prayers and offerings by the roadside are more for the wandering ghosts, people who have been murdered or who have commited suicide I suppose; and ghosts who don't have homes to go back to. The festival isn't a new thing; it having been mentioned in the 6th century Record of the Seasons of Jingchu. Also known as the Zhongyuan Festival, it is observed by the Chinese diaspora in China and Southeast Asia and probably elsewhere too especially by Chinese of the Taoist and Buddhist faith.
Here, just enjoy this ghostly video!
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