Keeping traditions alive: The dying art of Hungry Ghost Festival

The Hungry Ghost Festival, also known as “zhong yuan jie” in Chinese, is celebrated during the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar. Rooted deeply in Buddhist and Taoist beliefs, this festival pays tribute to the dearly departed, with live performances scattered across our heartlands to honour and entertain both spirits and the living, while the aroma of burnt offerings fills the air.

However, back in the day, the Hungry Ghost Festival was a far more exhilarating affair. People from all walks of life would flock to witness the festivities, not just those celebrating the occasion.

Our Singapore streets would come alive with boisterous music and colourful lights. Performers, donned in stunning costumes and brimming with enthusiasm, poured their hearts into every movement, delivering their acts with palpable energy and dedication. The space was often packed to the brim with enthusiastic guests, captivated by the vibrant entertainment.

The Hungry Ghost Festival was more than a devoted observance of tradition; it was a dazzling celebration of cultural artistry and community spirit.

The early days

One of the most vivid aspects of the festival is the street opera and theatrical performances known as “getai” (which translates to “song stage” in Mandarin).

“In the 1960s, these performances were staged every evening of the month, and guests of all ages would gather to watch them,” Shobha Devi told Catch.sg, as she reminisced about her primary school days in Kampong Lorong Tai Seng.

“We’d buy 20-cent ‘kacang puteh’ (which directly translates to white nuts, but often consists of tasty assorted nuts) and ‘potong’ (which translates to cut) ice cream, then rush to find a seat and watch the performances for free,” shared the 70-year-old grandmother of four. “Youths especially looked forward to this, as there was no other form of entertainment back then aside from traditional games like ‘chapteh’ and ‘kuti kuti’.”

She recalled that performers would present their artistry on a stage made of sturdy bamboo sticks. Beneath the stage, there was a makeshift kitchen and hammocks for the performers to rest in between their sets. “They wore colourful costumes and they’d change so quickly backstage, and we (the audience) could see everything,” she giggled.

She was always impressed with the immense effort that went into executing the festival to make it grand and inviting. “The organisers would blast catchy music that you could enjoy even if you didn’t understand the language,” she said. For her, the music, combined with the passion and drive of the performers during each run, created an incredible and immersive experience for audiences.

Sadly, Devi feels that while the festival is still being celebrated today, it has lost much of its former vibrancy. “The music no longer carries the same energy it once did,” she said, noting that attendance compared to yesteryears has markedly dwindled.

Modern adaptations and cultural shifts

In recent years, the Hungry Ghost Festival has undergone significant transformations. Rapid urbanisation, changing lifestyles, and the influence of globalisation have led to shifts in how the festival is celebrated.

Traditional street performances, which were once a cornerstone of the festival, are now being overshadowed by contemporary entertainment and modern music. Today, these performances are only found in select regions.

Despite the waning interest among younger generations, a dedicated community strives to keep the Hungry Ghost Festival alive. Lim Bee Hong is a key figure in this effort, volunteering each year to plan and execute celebrations in Pasir Ris.

Each celebration requires meticulous planning and dedication, which often goes unnoticed by the general public. According to Lim, the process involves setting a date and venue—considering factors like shelter and fans to ensure guests’ comfort. She also prepares offerings and incense, organises “getai” performances and traditional activities, and personally invites guests and community members.

Organisers also try to incorporate modern music and dance performances to engage younger audiences. “Unfortunately, young people are not very interested in these customs,” shared Lim.

A cultural heritage at risk

24-year-old Chua Hui Xin finds herself reminiscing about her childhood memories of the Hungry Ghost Festival from time to time, particularly the auctions that offered enticing prizes like electric bikes and furniture. “While I do take part in the rituals and prayers, I stopped attending these events when my grandmother did. She was the one who brought our family together for them,” she shared.

Chua admits that the music at today’s festivals doesn’t appeal to her, and the performers are generally older. Despite familiar faces like Marcus Chin, most of the artists are not people she follows, which diminishes her enjoyment of the shows.

However, she feels it’s a shame that her peers are losing interest in these traditions. “We lose a bit of our culture when we stop practising these traditions,” she explained. “I think these traditions have a stigma of being very tied to religion and the older generation, so fewer youths are interested.”

In terms of preserving the festival and its performing arts, Chua believes that education from the older generation would be beneficial.

“I do take part in these traditions, but to be honest, I don’t really know why I’m doing certain things or why it’s important,” she said. “This makes it hard for me to pass on to others or future generations as I can’t convince them why it’s important to honour these traditions.”

Similarly, Lim also remains hopeful. “I think the younger generation needs more education and cultural workshops,” she said. “Maybe if we fuse traditional and modern elements of the festival, along with digital documentation and storytelling, perhaps this dying tradition can be preserved.”

Keen to learn more about our rich Chinese folklore, legends, and history, but don’t know where to begin?

Head over to “Journeys To Hell: A Twilight Tour of Haw Par Villa & Hell’s Museum” for stunning displays and eye-opening stories about the afterlife across different cultures and civilisations.

Image Credits: Wu Hsiung, Mr Aaron Tan – Lex(s) Entertainment Productions, Dickson Phua, Gaz Jones, RedTaurus on YouTube.