GEORGE TOWN: Joss paper, folded into artful shapes, is all the rage for the Hungry Ghost Festival.
Personalised and inexpensive, many this year have opted to fold joss paper offerings into a handicraft of sorts, using the Internet as their source of inspiration and guidance.
At a prayer paraphernalia shop in Jalan Perak, here, there are over 50 types of joss paper to choose from and an array of trimmings and fixtures, including gold and silver coins, roses, ingots and beads.
The shop’s supervisor, Ong Hong Ya, 49, said that while the option to do-it-yourself (DIY) has always been available, there is a 50% increase in customers opting to make their offerings from scratch this year.
“Many tutorial videos making the rounds have encouraged customers to tap into their creative side.
“The idea is that they can make anything they please out of the paper.
“Some get creative and make clothes, vehicles or even money baskets, as we offer gold and silver bars that they will need to fold into shape.
“Many participants choose to make pineapples, ingots and lotus flowers because these items are easier to fold,” she said when approached by The Star.
Ong said it helps them connect with the departed by making something special for their loved ones.
“It becomes a one-of-a-kind piece that is easy on the pocket.
“A ready-made wealth basket can cost RM108 to buy but less than half the price to make from scratch.
“It depends on how elaborate they make it, as the colourful joss paper sells for RM3.80 to over RM20 (for 100 pieces), depending on its size,” she said.
Kenny Lim, 42, a fourth-generation prayer paraphernalia shop operator at Lebuh Carnavon, said the DIY joss paper is always available for those who want to make personalised items for their loved ones.
“Sometimes they want to make something special and sentimental.
“Some customers come with the tutorial video as a reference point when purchasing the joss paper.
“They use the videos to show me what they want, and I see what joss paper would work best,” he said.
Lim said many usually make lotus flowers, as they are easier to fold.
Observed during the seventh month of the lunar calendar, the Hungry Ghost Festival is rooted in the folk belief that denizens of hell are allowed to return to the human world for the month.
Food, incense and joss paper are offered to honour ancestors and appease wandering spirits.
The peak of the festival is on the 15th of the seventh lunar month, which falls on Aug 27 this year.
