SCENES FROM THE FESTIVAL.




Initials RM/V/JF/ES



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Background: THE PRESENT POLITICAL TURMOIL IN THE BRITISH COLONY OF HONG KONG DID NOT DETER THE CHINESE FROM OBSERVING THEIR ANNUAL FESTIVAL -- THE FEAST OF THE HUNGRY GHOSTS. THROUGHOUT THIS MONTH, CHINESE ALL OVER THE WORLD WILL TRY TO APPEASE THE SPIRITS OF THE DEAD WHICH THEY BELIEVE LEAVE THEIR GRAVES IN SEARCH OF FOOD AND WEALTH.

SACRIFICE AND PENANCE ARE THE MAIN FEATURES OF THE CELEBRATIONS. IN THE STREETS TEMPORARY ALTARS ARE SET UP WHERE THE PEOPLE GATHER TO PRAY AND OFFER SACRIFICES.

MEN, TO THE WILD BEAT OF CYMBALS, PERFORM THE JOSS-STICK DANCE AND HOLD RED-HOT IRON BETWEEN THEIR TEETH. THEN COMES THE MOST DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS PART OF THE CEREMONY. STRIPPED OF MOST OF THEIR CLOTHES THEY WALK ACROSS A PIT OF BURNING COAL IN BARE FEET.

OFFERINGS OF FOOD USUALLY CONSISTS OF CHICKEN, PORK, VEGETABLES AND RICE, WHICH ARE PLACED AT STREET CORNER OR ON THE ROADSIDE. THIS IS TO DETER WANDERING GHOSTS FROM ENTERING PRIVATE HOUSES, FOR IT IS FEARED THEY MAY CAUSE A DISTURBANCE.

SOMETIMES SMALL COINS ARE THROWN ON THE ROAD, SUPPOSEDLY FOR THE USE OF THE SPIRITS.