The Qingming festival is around the corner. Celebrated by the Chinese community, it usually falls on the
first week of April but prayers can be offered 10 days prior to the actual day
or up to ten days after. It is
sometimes called Tomb Sweeping Day. This is because family members visit the
graves to clean and tidy up as it is done only once a year.
Old graves, especially those located high up on the hill, are difficult
to access. My grandfather’s grave is one of these. The belief was that the
higher one’s grave is located, the better the feng shui. Each year, my brothers have to hack
their way through long grass to get to it. The lettering on the tomb has to be
re-painted as they are usually faded. My late father used to do this but now the
task has fallen to my brothers.
We are aging too and it is difficult to climb the hill as it is not
accessible by car. I have not gone for years as I no longer live on the
mainland. I don't know who will continue this ritual once we are no longer around to do it. The younger generation have never accompanied my brothers to perform this filial obeisance.
Family members offer prayers and food to honor, remember and give thanks to their ancestors.
It is also a family obligation.
The Chinese believe that there is a continued existence after departing
this physical world and the deceased would still need the things that they used
to have. They will also take the opportunity to provide the latest in trends
for their beloved family who have passed on.
Gold & Silver Joss paper or Hell money
A lavish spread of food and liquor is offered at the tomb including the gifts of currency (hell money/joss paper) and material goods, all made of paper of course.
Traditionally, the family will burn joss paper and paper replicas of cars,
homes, smart phones, tablets, computers paper servants, clothing and shoes. Apparently,
the latest, as reported in the local papers is a demand for the US dollar as it
is a stronger currency. Replicas of passports are also burned so that the
spirits of the deceased can go travelling too.
Electronic Devices
Shops like these sell all the material goods to be burned for the departed
Then family members take turns to kowtow three times before the tomb of
the ancestors.
After the ancestor worship at the grave site, the whole family will feast
on the food and drink they brought for the worship either at the site or in
nearby gardens in the memorial park, signifying family reunion with the
ancestors. Some families just leave the food there and scavengers will grab
them once the cemetery is no longer crowded with people.
Our family just adjourn to a coffee shop in town to enjoy a hearty breakfast
together.
(Note: I do not post photos of tombs as it is considered taboo.)
