Its A Family Affair At Macaus Remembrance Of Ancestors Festival Ching Ming

Celebrated on the 4th of April or the 105th day after the winter solstice

, Tomb Sweeping Day, Clear Brightness Day or the Ching Ming Festival is an ancient Chinese custom that has a deep rooted history spanning thousands of years. As a day devoted to remembering ones ancestors and family members who are no more, the event is an integral part of Chinese culture which reveres its elders with the utmost respect. Although a solemn event, it is by no means a sombre or melancholy occasion as its name denotes clear (Ching) and bright (Ming) intentions and wishes for loved ones in the afterlife.

The festival typically begins with the cleaning of tombstones and graves which includes cleaning of headstones, weeding and discarding old flowers and setting vibrant flowers in front of the grave. The burning of paper replicas of objects such as money, clothes, cars, mahjong sets and even paper mobile telephones is also common during the festival as these objects are thus transferred to the hereafter for the use of deceased family members. Surrounded by the aroma of scented joss sticks the families proceed to lay a feast that includes barbecued and roasted pork, steamed chicken, dim sum, hard boiled eggs and other treats accompanied by three sets of chopsticks and glasses of wine as offerings. Certain families light firecrackers to dispel evil spirits before performing these rites which are usually led by the eldest member of the household.

After the feast has been laid, the head of the household bows and pours wine on the ground in front of the grave and repeats this ritual three times. The rest of the family then proceed to bow in front of the headstone with their right fists cupped firmly in their left hands. Finally the family gathers together to enjoy the feast that has been laid out in a mock picnic with their deceased loved ones. The consumption of the offering is said to bring good fortune for the entire family although some families omit the feast altogether and opt only to place paper gifts as offerings for their ancestors.

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by: Pushpitha Wijesinghe

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