The Hungry Ghost Festival – A Symbol of Community Solidarity

By Lim Sok Swan, Alexander Fernandez

September 2022 PHOTO ESSAY
main image
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.
Advertisement
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...

Subscribe to our e-archive to read our older articles.

Subscribe Now
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.

Previous Article Back to Issue Next Article
Advertisement

Trending Now

A Red-light District Worthy of a Vibrant Port

Anecdotal Accounts of Chinese Women Migrants to Southeast Asia

The Japanese Conquest of Penang: Part One

The British-Siamese Boundary Stone: A Momentous Relic in Seberang Perai

A Brief History of 123 Macalister

Subscribe today to access over 2,000 articles in our e-Archive for RM150 a year, and get the 2nd year free.
Support Us

As Penang Monthly continues to evolve, we aim to deliver better quality reads. At present, our three current issues are free for public access. But we need your financial support as we endeavour to be the voice of Penang and an inspiring read for the curious Malaysian.

Every RM100 contribution from individuals (or RM1,000 for corporations) will be entitled to tax exemption receipt.
`