Friday, August 2, 2019

That Street Fire Is For The Ghosts - Hungry Guests Also Welcome at Toastmasters



I was walking along the street in Singapore last month (July 2019) when I saw a woman throwing paper on a fire in the middle of the road near the parked cars. I was surprised and horrified.

Then this month, August, I saw another fire started in a metal drum with an open are at the base revealing flames. Again paper was being thown onto the flames. This time it was on the grassy public are beside the footpath. I took a photo from a distance.

In the USA in areas prone to fire this would not be allowed. Nor in the UK.

I took a photo and showed it to somebody (Chinese) who lived in a nearby condo and asked, "What is this - is it allowed in Singapore to start a fire in a public place and throw paper on it?"

He replied, "Yes. That's normal, this time of year. It's the Hungry Ghost festival."

Ah.

The Hungry Ghose festival is in August, August 15, but all month. August is known as the ghost month. A bit like Halloween, a time when the ghosts of your ancestors or other people's are roaming around. And the upset or angry ghosts must be soothed and appeased. Or sacrifices of paper money, not real money but symbolic money, can be used to ensure reincarnation of your mother or grandmother into something happy and blessed like the pampered pet dog of a rich family.

No comment.

An aside. The religion you were brought up in always seems sensible and logical. (If outdated.) The religions of others, which bring them comfort, as well as a feeling of tradition and togetherness, often seem bizarre, until you relate them to the religion of your home country.

Let's go back to the safety.

Singapore is humid. You often see the remains of candles and what seems to be an abandoned small shrine, like the ones displayed in restaurants and shops, often with lighted candles . But in a shop or restaurant the owner of the premises is nearby, and a fire extinguisher on the wall mnannearby. But flames unattended in the street?

In the Singapore newspaper I have seen a debate on this. I think the authorities might be more concerned with litter. 

It is reasuring to know that this is common practise, not a lone arsonist nor a gang, but a local custom.

Tourists sometimes complain that Singapore is modern and soulless, has no culutre or tradition. I assure you that if you look, you will find plenty of tradition and culture all around you, from the water fountains bringing luck at the base of big buildings in the financial district, to the fires and remnants of fires in the streets in August in the month of the Hungry Ghost Festival.

After writing about the Hungry Ghosts in August I was wondering what theme to have for the Braddell Heights Advanced Toastmasters Club. Even if I am away travelling, I am responsible for the running of the club. I had thought of the theme holidays. Then I thought I should add something local, Hungry Ghosts.

The theme for Braddell Heights Advanced Toastmasters on Wednesday August 7th is Singapore National Day. Wear red and white and bring red and white food to the potluck. Free to Toastmasters, $10 for guests. (We meet the first Wednesday evening 7-9.30 and the third Saturday afternoon 2-5 pm.) The next meeting after that is Saturday 20th August. It's the Hungry Ghost Festival month. So the theme is Holidays and Hungry Ghosts. Wear attire for holidays, or hungry ghosts. Bring food for hungry members and guests, not ghosts, guests.

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About the Author
Angela Lansbury is a travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.

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