The Hungry Ghost Festival – A Symbol of Community Solidarity

By Lim Sok Swan, Alexander Fernandez

September 2022 PHOTO ESSAY
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The Hungry Ghost Festival in Bukit Mertajam is well-known for its giant Tai Su Yeah paper statue (an effigy representing the amalgamation of wandering ghosts in the area) that grows yearly. In 2019, it stood at 27 feet 7 inches. Though many businesses were affected by the pandemic, this year’s Tai Su Yeah has grown to an impressive 28 feet. It is a symbol of the local community's strong solidarity and spirit. The paper statue is ephemeral. After 15 days of ritual prayers and offerings, Tai Su Yeah has to be sent back to hell. To do this, the statue is moved to the junction between Jalan Pasar and Jalan Danby to be burned. Fire acts as a medium between different realms in traditional Chinese belief.
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Photos by Alexander FernandezTHE HUNGRY GHOST FESTIVAL, which takes place annually throughout the seventh month of the lunar calendar (which falls around August this year), is when many from the Chinese community would give offerings to wandering ghosts.Different legends expound these ritual practices, the most common one being that the gates of hell are thrust open annually on the seventh month of the lunar calendar. For the entirety of the month, hungry ghosts are released to roam in the human...

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Lim Sok Swan

is currently focusing on heritage studies. She believes that more understanding among different groups and cultures can make Malaysia a better home for all.

Alexander Fernandez

is a budding plant enthusiast, feline fanatic, Netflix junkie and gaming buff. He hopes to one day travel to Japan.

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