Qing Ming observers still prefer joss paper over newer, trendy offerings
KUALA LUMPUR: For these faithful observers of Qing Ming practices, tradition will always trump trends.
Despite the variety of paper offerings in the market featuring the latest trappings of life, such as electric cars, these people prefer traditional joss paper to offer to their ancestors.
“I usually buy incense, candles, joss paper and ‘hell money’, as well as paper shoes and clothes. And a bit of paper beer and cigarettes,” said retiree Jimmy Wong, 70.
“I don’t buy paper houses or cars. Even a paper mobile phone leaves me wondering if it can be charged. And would my parents even know how to use a tablet or computer?” he joked.
He bought joss paper and paper offerings to pray for his late parents, explaining that he chooses traditional items every year instead of flashy modern products.
Jimmy will mark this year’s Qing Ming, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, with his younger brother.
“Most of the time I’m the one who buys the offerings because I’m the eldest in the family and I know best what my parents liked when they were alive,” he said.
Qing Ming falls on April 5 this year.
However, there is a period of 10 days before and after the actual date for families to carry out the rites.
Prayer items shop owner Chu Khy Von, 48, said the number of customers buying joss paper and offerings this year has remained the same compared with previous years.
“Many still see it as a once-a-year purchase,” she said.
However, she noted that more of her customers are opting for traditional paper offerings instead of newer products such as paper mobile phones and laptops.
Among other paper offerings considered modern this year are miniature factories and gift hampers.
“But many people are not going for the trendy offerings. They just opt for the traditional ones.
“Maybe they are conscious about the environment, so they do not want to burn more paper,” she said.
She said prices for most paper offerings are similar to last year, although the cost of joss paper has increased by about 5%.
Some customers, she added, still come to her shop to make their selections even after browsing online or buying from e-commerce platforms.
She said that business began picking up in early March and is expected to remain steady until mid-April.
Kuala Lumpur Kwong Tong Cemetery board chairman Yong Pock Yau said the cemetery is promoting this year’s theme, “Honouring Ancestors with Respect and Proper Etiquette”, while encouraging more environmentally responsible practices during Qing Ming.
The public, he said, should reduce the burning of joss paper and incense to help minimise air pollution.
He said that in previous years, more than 50 tonnes of ash were left behind after Qing Ming.
“This reflects the sheer amount of offerings that were burned,” he said.
However, he noted that the situation had improved in recent years, particularly among the younger generation who are increasingly adopting more environmentally friendly ways of paying their respects.
Wong Si Peng, 53, who works for a non-profit organisation, is one of them.
“We know that global climate change is caused by rising temperatures, so this practice of burning large amounts of joss paper, especially now during a heatwave, is very worrying.”
“That’s why every year we’ve been trying to cut down.
“When you burn joss sticks, you add to the pollution.”
Si Peng said she wanted to preserve the culture and the practice of honouring her ancestors.
“But we try to do it in a more meaningful way, where all our aunts and uncles come together at the cemetery.
“The sense of togetherness and family camaraderie is more important than burning all these paper offerings.”
