A kotai performance during first day of Hungry Ghost festival at Symphony Park in Jelutong, Penang on July 29, 2022. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: If you happen to see food offerings along roads and streets during the Hungry Ghost Festival which began on Friday (July 29), do not pick them up!
If you happen to pass by a kotai (stage shows) performance, do not sit in the first row.
It is meant for "hungry ghosts" or "wandering spirits", who are on their month-long sojourn roaming the mortal world during Phor Thor (Hungry Ghost Festival).
Troupe manager Lim Poh Chye, 54, said he was shocked with the size of the audience at the first kotai performance of the year on Friday.
"I was expecting a smaller crowd but we have at least 50 people.
"As we are still in the pandemic era, the audience are reminded to put on their masks at all times and maintain physical distance.
"Some audiences will bring their own chairs while some prefer to stand and enjoy the performances.
"They can request for songs and our singers will try their best to accommodate," he said.
Lim added that many traditional rituals had been reduced by the years.
"Last time, the performers will pray to the local deities and King of Hades (Tai Su Yeah in Hokkien) before performing.
"We also used to put the deity in charge of performances on the stage but decided not to do so as the stages are smaller nowadays.
"However, most performers do not practice these rituals any more," he said.
Meanwhile, Lim said there were a few pantang larang (abstinences) and traditions that he insists his troupe should continue practising.
"If there are any deaths in the performers’ family, they are not allowed to perform during the month-long festival.
"Those who are on the stage are not allowed to eat kuaci (sunflower seeds) and peanuts as it is believed that it will cause fights and there will be no peace," he said.
The celebration this year is being held between July 29 and Aug 26.
In Chinese folklore, the gates of hell are said to open during the seventh lunar month and hell’s tortured souls get to go on a "vacation" in the mortal world while being watched over by Tai Su Yeah and his minions.
Stages are set up in communities where performances are held to entertain the spirits, while feasts are served for humans and spirits alike.
For decades, Phor Thor had been one of the busiest periods for the local Chinese community.
In Penang, stages are set up in predominantly Chinese areas and evening performances are held to entertain both humans and "wandering spirits".
It is an age-old tradition to have Chinese opera performances, puppet shows and kotai to entertain the community and wandering spirits during the annual festival to ensure a peaceful and prosperous year.
The festival is also known as Yu Lan in Mandarin.
