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Commemorating the deceased through the Hungry Ghosts Festival in Hong Kong
Author(s)
Date Issued
2026
Publisher
Routledge
ISBN
9781032766706
1032766700
9781003479536
Citation
In Wyatt, B., Stewart, H., Kennell, J., & Stone, P. R. (Eds.). (2026). Routledge handbook of dark events: Celebrations, heritage, and customs of death and the macabre (pp. 132-146). Routledge.
Type
Book Chapter
Abstract
The Hungry Ghosts (Yulan) Festival in Hong Kong, recognised as intangible cultural heritage, centres around commemorative practices related to death. It can be considered as a form of dark heritage, embodying the fear, memory, and respect for the deceased – particularly those who lost their lives through tragic circumstances within local communities. This chapter examines the Hungry Ghosts Festival as practised by Chaozhou communities in Hong Kong, focusing on deaths marked by misfortune and the sorrowful memories they evoke. The study details how individuals and communities engage with the departed, addressing unfortunate deaths during the festival’s rituals aimed at appeasing wandering spirits. It analyses the collective memory of plagues, accidental deaths, and wars woven into the festival’s celebrations, highlighting underlying moral values. While the festival is fundamentally about pacifying the spirits of those who suffered tragic fates throughout history and commemorating ancestors, it extends compassion to the living through charitable acts. This chapter contends that the festival not only commemorates the deceased and brings comfort to the living but also fosters resilience and promotes values such as filial piety, benevolence, and empathy. In doing so, it strengthens community bonds and a shared sense of ethnic identity.
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