The Hungry Ghost Festival: Why Malaysians Burn Money
If you walk the streets of Kuala Lumpur, George Town, or Ipoh during the seventh month of the Lunar calendar, you will notice a distinct shift in the atmosphere. The air carries the scent of incense and charred paper. By the roadside, small fires flicker in rusty metal bins, and elaborate stages are erected in residential neighborhoods, blasting music to rows of empty red chairs.
To the uninitiated visitor from the United States or Australia, this might look like a mysterious, perhaps even spooky, event. To the locals, however, it is one of the most significant times of the year: the hungry ghost festival.
This isn’t a scene from a horror movie; it is a profound display of filial piety, community spirit, and ancient tradition. While the Western world has Halloween, the Chinese diaspora in Southeast Asia observes a month-long period where the veil between the living and the dead is believed to be at its thinnest.
Why are people burning stacks of cash on the sidewalk? Why are there concerts where no one sits in the front row? As we delve into the hungry ghost festival, we will explore the fascinating reasons why Malaysians “burn money,” the deep-rooted superstitions that guide daily life during this period, and how you can respect these customs if you find yourself in Malaysia during this spectral season.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the story behind Hungry Ghost Festival?
The festival creates its roots in the Buddhist story of Mulian (Maudgalyayana), a disciple who discovered his mother suffering in the realm of hungry ghosts. To save her from starvation, Buddha instructed him to offer food and prayers to the monastic community on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. This act of filial piety relieved her suffering and established the foundation of the hungry ghost festival, reminding the living to care for ancestors and wandering souls.
2. What is Hungry Ghost Festival in Malaysia?
In Malaysia, this event is a unique cultural fusion of Taoist and Buddhist beliefs celebrated by the Chinese community. It is a month-long period where the gates of the underworld open. The ghost month celebration in Malaysia is famous for its lively Ko-Tai (stage shows) to entertain spirits, large roadside incense burnings, and elaborate food offerings placed on curbs to feed the “hungry” wandering ghosts who have no families.
3. What should be avoided during Ghost Month?
During ghost month, superstition dictates several taboos to avoid attracting negative energy. You should not swim at night (to avoid water spirits), whistle after dark, or hang clothes outside overnight. Most importantly, never sit in the front row of street performances—those seats are reserved for the spirits—and avoid stepping on or kicking the joss sticks and food offerings found along the roadside.
4. What is the Chinese money burning tradition?
The tradition involves burning “Joss paper” or the Chinese hell bank note as an offering to deceased relatives. The belief is that the afterlife is a mirror of the living world, and spirits require currency to purchase goods. By burning these notes (along with paper cars, houses, and clothes), families transfer value to the spirit world, ensuring their ancestors live comfortably on the other side.
5. What are the main similarities and differences between Western Halloween and Chinese Ghost Festival?
Both festivals acknowledge a time when the boundary between the living and the dead thins. However, while Halloween has become a commercialized, fun event featuring costumes and trick-or-treating, the hungry ghost festival is a solemn observance of filial piety. The Chinese tradition focuses on appeasing spirits with food and charity to ensure peace, whereas Halloween historically focused on warding off spirits or mocking fear.
What is the Hungry Ghost Festival?
The hungry ghost festival, known locally as Zhong Yuan Jie (Taoist) or Ullambana (Buddhist), falls on the 15th night of the seventh lunar month, though the observances last the entire month. In 2024 and beyond, dates usually shift between August and September.
The core belief is that during this specific time, the gates of the underworld—or “Hell”—are thrown open. This allows deceased ancestors and restless spirits to roam the earthly realm. While ancestors visit their families to receive blessings, “hungry ghosts” (spirits who have no descendants to care for them or who died tragic deaths) wander the streets looking for food and entertainment.
Celebrating the hungry ghost festival is not about devil worship or fear-mongering. It is, at its heart, a festival of compassion. It is about remembering those who came before us and offering charity to the forgotten souls of the spirit world. In Malaysia, where the Chinese community makes up a significant portion of the population, the hungry ghost festival transforms entire neighborhoods into vibrant hubs of ritualistic activity.
The Origins: A Tale of Filial Piety
The festival’s roots are often traced back to the story of Mulian (Maudgalyayana), a disciple of Buddha. Mulian discovered his mother was suffering in the hungry ghost realm as retribution for her greed on earth. She had a thin neck and a burning throat, unable to eat. Distraught, Mulian asked Buddha how to save her. Buddha instructed him to offer food and prayers to the monastic community on the 15th day of the 7th month. The merit generated from these acts relieved his mother’s suffering.
Today, the hungry ghost festival in Malaysia is a syncretic blend of this Buddhist compassion and Taoist folk religion, resulting in a unique cultural tapestry that captivates sociologists and tourists alike.
The Burning Question: Why Do We Burn Money?
One of the most visually arresting aspects of the hungry ghost festival is the burning of paper offerings. For a visitor from Singapore—where burning is strictly regulated to designated metal bins—the sight of more open burning in parts of Malaysia might seem intense. For a Westerner, watching people throw what looks like legal tender into a fire is baffling.
This is where the concept of the Chinese hell bank note comes into play.
Inflation in the Afterlife?
The paper money burned is not real currency, of course. It is “Joss paper” or “spirit money,” predominantly stylized as the Chinese hell bank note. These notes often feature the image of the Jade Emperor and come in astronomical denominations—often ranging from ten thousand to several billion dollars.
The logic is rooted in the belief that the afterlife is a mirror image of the living world. Just as we need money for food, housing, and goods in Kuala Lumpur or Sydney, spirits need currency in the netherworld. By burning the Chinese hell bank note, the living transfer value to the dead through the medium of fire. It is a way to ensure ancestors have enough spending power to live comfortably on the other side.
Beyond Cash: The Evolution of Offerings
In recent decades, the offerings have evolved significantly. It is no longer just about the Chinese hell bank note. Walk into a prayer paraphernalia shop in Malaysia, and you will find paper replicas of:
- Luxury cars (complete with a paper driver).
- iPhones, iPads, and gaming consoles.
- Designer handbags and skincare sets.
- Multi-story bungalows.
- Passports and flight tickets.
The burning of these items during the hungry ghost festival is a touching, albeit smoky, gesture. It signifies that the living want their departed loved ones to enjoy the same modern comforts they do. If Grandpa loved driving, you burn him a paper Mercedes. If your late sister loved fashion, you send her paper Gucci.
The "Ko-Tai" Stages: Concerts for the Dead
If you are traveling through Penang or the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur during a ghost month celebration, you will likely stumble upon a brightly lit stage set up in a field or parking lot. These are known as Ko-Tai (or Getai in Singapore).
These are live performances featuring singers in glittering costumes, comedians, and dancers. However, there is one strict rule at every Ko-Tai held during the hungry ghost festival:
Never sit in the front row.
The first row of chairs is often left empty or marked with red paper. These prime seats are reserved exclusively for the “VIPs”—the spirits. Sitting there is considered incredibly rude and bad luck, as you would be literally sitting on a ghost.
Entertainment for All Realms
The performances are loud and boisterous for a reason. The noise is meant to attract the wandering spirits to the feast laid out for them. The hungry ghost festival is one of the few times where the divide between the ancient and the modern blurs completely. You might hear a traditional Hokkien opera song followed immediately by a K-Pop dance cover. The goal is to ensure the spirits are entertained and appeased so they do not cause mischief in the living world.
Roadside Rituals: Feeding the Wandering Souls
While the Ko-Tai stages are loud and public, the heart of the hungry ghost festival lies in the quieter, roadside rituals. This is where the “Hungry” part of the name is addressed.
Malaysian Chinese families will set up makeshift altars on the curb outside their homes or businesses. These altars are laden with food offerings. Common items include:
- Whole roasted chickens or ducks.
- Huat Kueh (steamed prosperity cakes).
- Rice, tofu, and hard-boiled eggs.
- Cups of tea or rice wine.
Incense sticks are planted directly into the ground or into the food. This practice serves as an invitation to the “passing” spirits—those who have no families to care for them. It is a massive act of metaphysical charity.
If you are visiting during a ghost month celebration, you must be mindful of where you step. Walking over these offerings or accidentally kicking a pile of ash is a major taboo. It is viewed as kicking food out of a hungry person’s mouth.
Taboos: How to Survive Ghost Month
For the superstitious, the hungry ghost festival is a time of heightened caution. Elders will often warn the younger generation about a list of “don’ts” to observe during the seventh month. If you are visiting Malaysia from Australia or the US, knowing these can save you from accidental cultural faux pas—or supernatural bad luck!
Here is a survival guide for the ghost month:
- Don’t Go Swimming at Night: It is believed that water spirits (ghosts of those who drowned) are looking for substitutes to take their place so they can reincarnate. They might pull your leg—literally.
- Don’t Whistle After Dark: Whistling is said to attract spirits who think you are calling out to them.
- Don’t Pick Up Coins on the Street: If you see a coin on the ground, leave it. It might be a bribe or bait meant for a spirit. Bringing it home invites the spirit in with you.
- Don’t Hang Clothes Outside at Night: Spirits might try on your clothes, leaving their negative energy on the fabric.
- Don’t Tap People on the Shoulder: The Chinese believe humans have three “flames” protecting them (one on the forehead, one on each shoulder). Tapping a shoulder snuffs out a flame, making the person vulnerable to possession.
- Don’t Wear Red or Black: These colors are said to attract spirits during the hungry ghost festival.
While younger Malaysians may treat these with a grain of salt, the respect for the tradition remains strong. You will find fewer people staying out late and the nightlife scene in certain areas might be slightly quieter than usual.
The Economic and Environmental Impact
The hungry ghost festival is not just a spiritual event; it is a massive economic engine. The trade in Joss paper and incense is a multimillion-ringgit industry in Malaysia. Bakeries work overtime to produce prayer cakes, and fruit sellers see a spike in sales.
However, the festival faces modern challenges. The sheer volume of burning creates environmental concerns. The burning of the Chinese hell bank note and other paper artifacts contributes to localized air pollution.
In recent years, there has been a push specifically in Singapore and increasingly in Malaysia to burn responsibly. Temples are introducing eco-friendly incinerators that filter smoke, and some younger generations are opting for “digital” offerings or reducing the physical volume of paper burned. Despite these changes, the fire remains a central element. The visual of the flames is integral to the belief of “transferring” the goods.
Where to Experience the Festival in Malaysia
If you are a culture-seeker wanting to witness the hungry ghost festival in its full glory, specific locations offer the most immersive experiences.
1. George Town, Penang
Penang is arguably the epicenter of the hungry ghost festival in Malaysia. The historic streets of George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, come alive with giant joss sticks (some as tall as telephone poles) and elaborately decorated temporary altars. The Phor Tay High School area often hosts significant events. The highlight is usually the burning of a giant paper effigy of the King of Hades (Tai Su Yeah), which can stand over 20 feet tall.
2. Bukit Mertajam, Penang
On the mainland side of Penang, the town of Bukit Mertajam hosts one of the largest celebrations in the country. The burning of the giant King of Hades statue here draws thousands of devotees and photographers.
3. Kuala Lumpur & Klang Valley
In KL, the celebrations are more pocketed but intense in Chinese-majority areas like Kepong, Cheras, and Jinjang. The ghost month celebration here feels very urban, with altars set up in the back alleys of skyscrapers and bustling shop lots.
4. Malacca (Melaka)
Similar to Penang, Malacca’s rich history adds a layer of depth to the festival. The Jonker Street area sees many traditional altars, and the Baba Nyonya influence (Peranakan culture) adds unique variations to the food offerings.
A Cultural Comparison: Hungry Ghost vs. Halloween vs. Day of the Dead
For our readers from the West, it is easy to draw parallels between the hungry ghost festival, Halloween, and Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos.
- Halloween (USA/Global): Originally Celtic (Samhain), it has become largely commercial and focuses on costumes and “trick-or-treating.” It mocks fear.
- Dia de los Muertos (Mexico): A colorful celebration of life to honor ancestors. It is joyous and familial.
- Hungry Ghost Festival (Asia): This is more somber and transactional. It is rooted in appeasement and duty. While there is community feasting, there is also a palpable sense of caution and respect for the unknown.
While Halloween says “Boo!”, the hungry ghost festival says “Please eat this and leave us in peace.” Both, however, acknowledge that death is not the end, but a transition.
Conclusion: Respecting the Invisible
The hungry ghost festival is a testament to the Malaysian Chinese community’s enduring commitment to heritage. It serves as an annual reminder of the obligations the living have toward the dead and the importance of charity toward the forgotten.
For the traveler, it offers a window into the soul of Malaysia. It is a time when the modern world pauses to acknowledge the ancient one. If you visit during this time, you don’t need to believe in ghosts to appreciate the beauty of the ritual.
Watch the Ko-Tai performances (from the back rows), smell the incense, and observe the flickering candles along the darkened drains. Just remember: if you see a pile of ash or a stray Chinese hell bank note on the pavement, step around it. Show respect. After all, during the hungry ghost festival, you never know who—or what—might be walking right beside you.
