Qing Ming crowds arrive early to avoid hot sun

Paying respects: Lim (left) and her family members observing the Qing Ming festival by bringing prepared dishes and prayer paraphernalia for their dearly departed at the United Hokkien Cemeteries Teluk Bahang. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: The hot spell has not deterred families from visiting the graves of their loved ones ahead of Qing Ming.

However, those worried of the heat have opted to start the day earlier, such as 61-year-old Lim Gek Hiang at a cemetery in Teluk Bahang here.

Lim said she would not miss the tradition as it not only pays respect to her ancestors, but treats it as an occasion for the family to get together every year.

“I’m here to pay respects to my in-laws, accompanied by family members and children.

“We were initially worried that the weather would be hot, so many of us brought hats, umbrellas and came dressed in long sleeves.

“We even decided to start earlier at 7am before the sun is out.

“Fortunately, there were clouds above us almost throughout the morning and we finished our prayers and offerings before it got hot at noon,” said Lim yesterday.

They were among thousands who flocked to cemeteries and columbariums to pay their respects.

To avoid the scorching noon heat, many arrived early in the morning with umbrellas and quickly finished up.

Apart from joss figurines and other prayer paraphernalia as offerings, flowers and a variety of cakes and meat products were laid out as offerings to the departed.

Qing Ming festival, or Chinese All Souls Day or Tomb-Sweeping Day, is a Chinese tradition that has been observed for more than 2,500 years where family members gather to pay respect and homage to their departed loved ones.

The festival is observed 10 days before or 10 days after the actual day which falls on April 4 this year.