Currency of the afterlife: Ang showing the money-themed offerings for sale at her shop in Lebuh Kimberley, George Town. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Gold and silver bars, foreign currencies and even safes – paper versions of them – are among the popular offerings for the departed this Qing Ming, also known as Chinese All Souls Day or Tomb Sweeping Day.
Ang Siew Siew, who sells prayer paraphernalia for the festival, said she believes the popularity of such offerings is because the families concerned want “to encourage savings to ensure that the deceased have enough money to spend in the afterlife”.
“In reality, people are affected by the rising cost of living, but they still want to provide the best for their departed loved ones.
“This includes ensuring that they have enough to spend as ‘cash’ is still a powerful asset.
“Maybe in the past, they burnt paper houses and cars, so this year burning more money and valuables would make more sense,” said Ang, 51, when met at her shop in Lebuh Kimberley yesterday.
Sales of paper offerings have picked up ahead of Qing Ming which falls on April 4; the festival is observed 10 days before and after the date.
During Qing Ming, which has been observed for more than 2,500 years, family members gather to pay respects to their departed loved ones.
Despite the higher interest in “cash” this year, common items such as paper clothes, shoes and cars remain popular, especially among the elderly.
Ang said the economic slowdown has affected her business and prices are higher this year.
“Most of my stock is from China as they have many cheaper varieties.
“But this year, costs have increased by 10% to 15% compared with last year,” she said.
To cater to the surge in customers, her store is open daily until the end of the festival.
Teh Lay Nah, who runs a similar shop in Lebuh Noordin, said that she did not stock up as much this year for fear of a slump in sales.
“I have been operating for almost 40 years and most of my customers are regulars.
“The decline in our currency has led to items being perceived as more expensive,” the 66-year-old said.
