Documenting the Ghost Festival Rituals
As my research progressed, I found myself entering the intervention stage of my independent study, coinciding with the Chinese lunar calendar’s 15th day of the seventh month—known as the Ghost Festival or Zhongyuan Festival. This day is traditionally believed to be when the gates of the underworld open, allowing spirits to wander the human world. It’s often referred to as “Ghost Month” or “when the Ghost Gate opens.”
In the past, the Ghost Festival was steeped in taboos, with people fearing that careless actions could attract wandering spirits and bring misfortune. Even today, many of these beliefs persist, and people continue to honor their ancestors during this time through various local customs, hoping to ensure peace, smooth sailing in life, and protection from harm.
My intervention focuses on exploring and documenting these rituals, with the goal of breaking down the traditional barriers that surround funeral practices and introducing more personalized, modern elements. By doing this, I hope to challenge the rigid adherence to these customs and create space for new, meaningful ways to honor those who have passed.
Why Documenting the Ghost Festival Rituals Challenges Tradition
In many traditional Chinese beliefs, anything associated with death is often seen as unlucky or taboo, particularly outside of the specific times set for rituals like Qingming or the Ghost Festival. Recording or filming these rituals, especially during the Ghost Festival, can be perceived as disrespectful or even risky, as it might disturb the spirits or violate the sanctity of the ceremony.
Traditionally, rituals like those performed during the Ghost Festival are considered sacred and private, meant to honor and connect with the spirits of ancestors. The idea of capturing these moments on video, and potentially sharing them publicly, clashes with the deeply ingrained notion that these practices should remain within the family and away from the public eye.
By choosing to document the Ghost Festival rituals, I’m not just preserving these traditions—I’m actively challenging the cultural taboos that have kept them hidden. This act of recording brings these rituals into the modern world, making them more accessible and less shrouded in mystery. It’s about showing that these practices, while rooted in tradition, can be a meaningful part of contemporary life rather than something to be feared or avoided.
This approach to documentation serves as a step toward breaking down the rigid barriers that surround these rituals, opening up the possibility for more personalized, modern interpretations while still respecting the essence of the tradition.
Street Rituals: A Glimpse into Hometown Traditions
As the date approached the 15th day of the lunar month, or the Ghost Festival, the rituals of ancestor worship typically aren’t confined to just one specific day. During this period, people across the region engage in these practices. In my hometown, the rituals often take place near the deceased’s former residence. Due to the need for burning offerings, it’s rare to see such activities in densely populated urban areas. It wasn’t until I returned to our old family home that I once again saw many people conducting their rituals directly on the streets.
I noticed an elderly woman performing a ritual alone on a concrete area within the neighborhood. The paper money and other ritual tools she was using were intricately made. Knowing that these ceremonies are usually private and not to be interrupted by outsiders, I kept my distance and took a photo from afar before planning to leave. However, since there was no one else around, the grandmother noticed me. Not wanting to appear suspicious, I decided to approach her, hoping to strike up a conversation and perhaps ask if she would allow me to document her ritual.
I complimented the grandmother on how beautiful her ritual offerings were and how thoughtfully everything was arranged. She warmly began explaining the details to me and even asked when our family planned to perform our own ritual. When I mentioned my interest in taking some photos, she wasn’t bothered at all. In fact, she told me that all of these ritual items could easily be purchased at the local market.
The grandmother was quite resourceful. Since it was raining that day, she used wooden sticks to prop up the paper money inside a ceramic basin to help it burn more easily. Normally, candles need to be fixed into the ground to stand upright, but on the concrete, she creatively used sliced sweet potatoes as bases to hold the candles in place.
She had also prepared paper gold ingots to burn. When I asked her who the offerings were for, she said they were for her late mother, father and husband. As she continued burning the paper, I asked if my taking photos and recording might bother her. She replied, “Not at all. I’m just sending him a little something.”