The Hungry Ghost Festival in Singapore

Every year in August, the Chinese community in Singapore prepares for a unique banquet and the guests of honour are none other than their dearly departed! This macabre-sounding event is the Hungry Ghost Festival, held during the Ghost Month, which usually falls between August and September. It is believed that in the Ghost month, the gates of hell are opened and the spirits come back to visit their families. To appease them, the Chinese hold banquets and offer prayers. In 2013, the Ghost Month falls between August 7 and September 4, and the Hungry Ghost Festival will be celebrated on August 20.

Burning paper money is a popular ritual during the Hungry Ghost Festival

On the Table

During the Ghost month, families place their offerings at an altar outside the house, to honour their departed relatives, as well as any stray ghosts that may be wandering about. On the day of the festival, the spirits are honoured by burning incense, offering food and burning money. The money is burned so that it can be used by the ghost; some also believe that burning paper money ensures vast fortunes in the afterlife. Food is the focus of this festival and the banquet for the spirits is usually lavish – Mandarin oranges, roasted suckling pigs, rice and special Chinese cakes are all laid out for the ghosts. An effigy of Phor Thor Kong, or the King of Hell, is placed in the centre of the dining table and food is placed around him from sunrise to sunset. Several food stalls are also set up in the Chinese dominated neighbourhoods of Chinatown, Redhill and Geylang.

An array of food is offered to the spirits. Photo Credit: dorothy / flickr

Other Festivities

Apart from offering food, the Chinese also put up boisterous performances to entertain the spirits. These range from the wayang (a form of Chinese opera) to getai, which are live stage performances of puppetry, stand-up comedy and dances. Some even put up pole dance performances. If you do happen to witness one of these festivities, make sure that you do not sit in the front row; these seats are left empty for the “special guests”. Apart from food and entertainment for the ghosts, there are spiritual activities as well – the Buddhist priests perform ceremonies and recite chants to appease the spirits. Towards the end of the festival, lanterns are lit and paper boats are set on the river to guide the ghosts back to where they came from. If you plan to visit Singapore in August or September, be sure to experience this truly local flavour, which is fascinating to watch and is accompanied by great food.

Singapore, with its beautiful attractions and diverse cultures, is a delight for every traveller

Visiting Singapore

Apart from hungry ghosts, Singapore has a lot to offer. In fact, it is one of the must-travel destinations for 2013. It is well-connected by flights and there are hotels to suit every budget. From precious nature reserves and lively theme parks to high street shopping, from ethnic neighbourhoods to gourmet food – Singapore has something for every kind of traveller. And to add to it, there is no dearth of hip and happening places for you to let your hair down at.

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