Singapore is an ultra-modern city state, some even refer to it as the 51st State. Sometimes, it's the little things that smack you back into reality - you're in southeast asia, dummy! Last night was one of those times - I started to smell smoke after I went to bed. Pingle explained that it was the beginning of the Hungry Ghost month, which lasts for 30 days beginning on the 15th day of the 7th month in the Chinese lunar calendar. Huh-what?
It goes something like this.... Once a year the ghosts or spirits (perhaps your dead relatives or someone elses) come out of hell (or wherever they were for the last 11 months) so you offer them stuff. Could be food or maybe you burn incense or fake money on their behalf. See, they're hungry and you feed em not because you're nice but because they'll mess with you if you don't. On our way to the bus this morning we saw the remnants of offerings everywhere. Incense sticks burned to the nub, bags of ghost snacks, and on the left what appears to be some tobacco. Hey, look, they're dead already - who cares if they light up and puff a bit?
I think this is Taoist in origin but it appears to take place in a number of countries in SE asia. Pingle tells me that they'll even be some loud outdoor concerts late at night, with music that the ghosts hopefully like. The're called Getai. The first few rows of seating are left empty for them.
Out of the Chan and Tan families here in Singapore, apparently only the Dad offers up anything for the hungry ghosts. Madam Tan is now a Christian. Pingle's lil Sis is from the younger generation.
And my girlfriend? What did she offer the ghosts? Nada, nothing, zip. Just a tongue-poke. She was on her way back to work for the first time in 10 days and she wasn't worried about no ghosts, just about the 389 emails awaiting her. Me thinks she is gonna regret that.......
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