Believers go to temple to ‘grapple with ghosts’
KUCHING: Believers of all ages converged at the Shang Ti Temple at Carpenter Street here Saturday night for the ‘grappling with the ghosts’ – better known as ‘Qiang Gu’ – to mark this year’s Hungry Ghost Festival.
Qiang Gu is an activity held in conjunction with the traditional Chinese festival that is celebrated every 15th day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar.
It is an event where worshippers would strive to grab a ticket, which entitles them to bring home some ‘prizes’ for their effort.
Those who decide to take part in Qiang Gu usually expect themselves to get hold a ticket at the very least, as it is believed that participants who fail to grab one will be subjected to bad luck.
Among the guests at the event were Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How and Kuching Teochew Association president Penghulu Tan Tuan Yee.
The Hungry Ghost Festival, widely known as Zhongyuan Jie or Yulan Jie, has been observed by the Chinese here for over a century, ever since their forefathers set foot in the city after a long journey from China.
It includes ritualistic food offerings, burning of joss papers and the Qiang Gu.
Traditionally, Qiang Gu is an event to symbolise how ‘hungry’ ghosts, particularly those not taken care of, rush to grab the food.
Participants at the event believe that they are blessed and will have luck if they are able to grab something.
Similar events also took place at the Taman BDC commercial centre, Mile 3 Bazaar and the Mile 7 Kota Sentosa Market area the same night.
In Chinese culture, the seventh lunar month is regarded as the Ghost Month in which souls and spirits including those of deceased ancestors come out from the lower realm.
During this month, the gates of hell are opened and ghosts are free to roam the earth where they seek food and entertainment.
The Ghost Month is observed in many Asian countries including China, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, Japan, Vietnam and India.
In Singapore and Malaysia, concert-like performances represent a prominent feature of the Hungry Ghost Festival while some Chinese would avoid going out after dark during the Ghost Month.