Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Ghost Festival in Chinatown - Zhong Yuan Jie 中元节

Chinatown used to have many activities during the 7th Month or what is known to the English speaking world as Ghost Festival. And it would happen at various spots in Chinatown. Chinatown is known to most Singaporeans, and probably the world, to be from Sago Street to Temple Street, where the streets are interlinked by Trengganu St. These days, the ghost festival activities are somewhat concentrated in the still available free space next to the Tooth Relic Temple. But then, the activities are getting bigger and when there is a getai (variety show) on the street, then it would be jam packed.


I went to the Kreta Ayer Square (next to Chinatown Complex, which houses the wet market, small shops and a food court) where there is a stage and a free space. On the opposite end are the "dum" and chess tables which  seem to be forever occupied no matter what time I was there. A favourite gathering place of the older men who exercise their brain over the strategy games.


This year, apart from the exhibition on Taoism, organised by the Youth Group of the Taoist Federation (the exhibition was enlarged compared to the last year), there was also a talk show conducted by Master Leong from HongKong who spoke in Cantonese and translated by Wei Yi, the General Secretary of the Youth Group. It was a very interesting presentation and if only more people were there. Many of the older people even stood right to the end to follow the explanation followed by short demonstrations by the Taoist Priests. Suddenly it seemed somewhat clearer to me as I listened to the explanation and then, the demonstration. I wish there are such narrations that could be put on slides that could be placed next to the event when the Taoist Priests are performing the rituals. Our command of the language, be it Cantonese, Hokkien, Mandarin or any dialect in which the priests are conducting are not enough to comprehend, not to mention understanding the intentions and objectives of the rituals. It was a good start. If the video taken of the event could be put into youtube, more people could learn. (^^)

While this was going on, another group of Taoist Priests were walking along the streets. I traced them to the tentage nearby where they were conducting the Zhong Yuan Jie. I was to learn later on that under this tentage, over two weeks, there were actually two Zhong Yuan Jie being conducted. On the first night I was there, it was organised by the occupants of the Chinatown Complex - probably from the wet market stallholders to the Food Court stallholders.


In the following week when I was there again, it was organised by the Chinatown Business Association. In conjunction with the Zhong Yuan Jie 中元节, Chinatown Business Association also works with Singapore Tourist Board to offer tours for tourists and Singaporeans to better understand Zhong Yuan Jie and getting to visit various interesting parts of Chinatown, led by two very knowledgeable Heritage Guides, Diana and Charlotte. On one tour, the participants even got to join in the grand dinner to experience a typical Zhong Yuan Jie dinner that comes with auctions.


14th evening of the 7th month is said to be the day when Cantonese would make their offerings to the "Good Brothers", a polite term used for the wandering souls. For the Hokkien, it would be 15th as well as the 1st and last day of the 7th month, when they would be receiving them with offerings and sending off with offerings as well. The 7th month is a reminder to the Chinese about their ancestors. Many would make offerings at home to their ancestors. For many who these days have the ancestor tablets in clan associations or temples, families would make a trip there. On the 15th day, Taoists would pay respect to the "Earth Official" known as Di Guan 地官.

Sunday, August 08, 2010

Chinatown Hungry Ghost Festival 2010

The Ghost Festival will start from 10 Aug 10 (the first day of the 7th Lunar Month). As residents and businesses of Chinatown prepares to make offerings during this month, the Chinatown Business Association is also sharing some of its activities with visitors. Read more from the poster below or at the Chinatown Business Association at http://www.chinatown.org.sg
























Hungry Ghost Festival Cultural Exhibition (No admission charges)
Date
:
10 Aug to 7 Sep
Venue
:
Kreta Ayer Square (Sago Street)
Time
:
10am to 10pm, daily
Fees
:
Free Entry
Staged in partnership with the Taoist Federation (Singapore), this month-long exhibition is an indept look at the mysteries of the Hungry Ghost Festival as it is celebrated in Singapore. What is the origin of the festival, what are its do's and don't's, and the significance of its rituals and offerings? Catch the festival in action too through staged demonstrations of rituals by the Federation's priests.

Hungry Ghost Festival Walking Tour
Birth, Life & Death in Chinatown
(All about Chinese Beliefs, Myths and Taboos)
Date
:
14, 15, 28, 29 of Aug & 4, 5 of Sep
Time
:
4.30pm - 8pm (dinner provided)
Fees
:
$33 per person
Registration
:
This tour gives you the lowdown on everything you ever wanted to know about Chinese beliefs, myths and taboos. Our guide will walk you through Chinatown to see Chinese beliefs as they are lived, through birth, marriage and death. Consult the Almanac and get your fortune told. Find out what lies behind ‘Dead Man’s Street’ and watch real-life demonstration rituals performed by the Taoist Federation. We’ll answer some burning questions too, like why it’s not safe to point at the moon, when it’s perfectly alright to not wash your hair and of course, how to live the great prosperous life!

Walking With the Good Brothers
(THE Hungry Ghost Festival Walk)
Date
:
21 Aug (Sat) and 22 Aug (Sun)
Time
:
6pm - 9.30pm (dinner provided)
Fees
:
21 Aug: $33 per person
22 Aug: $43 per person
Registration
:
Enter into the world of deities, spirits and beliefs of the Hungry Ghost Festival. Our guide will take participants through a mystical evening of the Hungry Ghost festivities in Chinatown. Find out which deity acts as the festival’s ‘policeman’, what secrets lie in the ‘Fa Cai Ang Bao’ (prosperous red packet), watch the rituals and be immersed in the loud and electrifying action of the Ge Tai and Auction Dinner*. Walk with the ‘good brothers’ (a euphemism for the spirits) as they walk the earth once more.

* Auction dinner is on 22 Aug only. 

ack: Chinatown Business Association