The Hungry Ghosts Festival

When I found out I'd be going around Singapore talking about security and whatever, I was particularly excited as this is the time of the Hungry Ghosts Festival. The idea is that the Gates Of Hell open and the dead spill out and go visit their relatives and terrify children and stuff. Offerings - usually Hell Money - are burnt in the streets to feed and appease the ghosts. If you don't feed them, they become vengeful and unstoppably pissed off.

This is not good.


To keep them from causing trouble, entertainment is arranged 24/7 to keep them busy. This tradition is also observed in Singapore, and (just like the Internets) it is indeed serious business. As you wander around the city you'll often find huge piles of what I like to call "things and stuff" burning in the streets, along with smaller offerings hidden under bridges, in alleyways and other random places. Today, in particular, celebrations seem to be in full swing. I've created a standalone Flickr Gallery for this Festival, which will likely have more images added to it in a random fashion.