Taiwan: people feed ghosts to have prosperous year – traditional festival

Tradition says the monthlong festival kicks off when the gates of the nether world are opened for ghosts to make their annual visit to Earth. It is also observed in other Chinese communities in Asia.

Photo: Taiwan: people feed ghosts to have prosperous year – traditional festival

Taiwanese from all walks of life believe that feeding and entertaining ghosts during the festival leads to a year of peace and prosperity.

The Liberty Times newspaper said the American rap band Black Eyed Peas would burn incense sticks and make offerings of fruit, pork and chicken before their Tuesday night concert, the first in a series of musical events during the ghost festival.

Ghost month coincides with the seventh lunar month. This year it lasts until Sept. 21 because of leap year considerations in the lunar calendar, the AP reports.

Another performer observing ghost month this year will be Singapore heartthrob Stephanie Sun Yan Zi, Liberty Times said, adding that she will preside over a ghost-worshipping ceremony at concerts this Saturday and Sunday.

The newspaper quoted her producer, Chen Chen-chuan, as cautioning stage workers against saying anything that might annoy ghosts in the concert area.