Hungry Ghost Month In Singapore

Discover the meaning of Hungry Ghost Month in Singapore

Hungry Ghost Month is usually around August time frame. It is celebrated yearly and it follows the 7th month of the lunar calendar and is also known as the Chinese 7th month festival. This festival is widely observed by the Buddhist and Taoist community in Singapore , who believe that the living are supposed to please the spirits of the dead , or ghosts , by offering them food and burning prayer money or other items to them. It is a common belief that during this period of one month the hell gates are opened and the dead wander freely among the living. This is their annual “tour” to the living world to seek food , or even seek revenge , as some believe .

The Chinese believe ancestral spirits , given their due respect , will bring good luck and good fortune. For some die hard Singaporean gamblers , this is a rare opportunity to use this festival to beg for lucky lottery numbers from the ghosts.

The Hungry Ghosts Month is held to pacify the lonely ghosts , ghosts denied entry to heaven , and ghosts lacking living descendants. Ghosts barred from heaven are believed to search for substitutes — any living being — to take their places in hell. Ghosts lacking living descendants to care for them can easily get hot-tempered and offensive during their holiday back on earth. These are the lonely ghosts , or hungry ghosts , hence given the name of this festival.

Hungry Ghost Month is considered to be an inauspicious time of the year by the Chinese. Children are discouraged from staying outdoors late at night, This belief is due to the reason that the wandering ghosts might possess children. It is considered unlucky to buy a piece of property or close a business deal.

In Singapore, where majority of the population is ethnic Chinese , business community often run street performances , known as ” Getai ” ( Song Stage ) to entertain the living and the dead. This is usually held in conjunction with feasts as well as an auction. The front row at the Getai concert , will be normally left empty. But this is not for lack of popularity — the seats are reserved for the ghosts. The second row are reserved for child spirits. Many Singaporeans , including the younger generation find Getai entertaining.

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