Burning joss paper in Taiwan for Ghost Month (AP Photo/Wally Santana)

If you are visiting Asia during August or September, don’t be alarmed from the smoke billowing out of street-front barrels and don’t make the mistake of thinking that there is a free buffet throughout town with the tables upon tables of food displayed on altars in front of homes. For Chinese throughout Asia, during August or September falls the 7th lunar month, or Ghost Month. During the first fifteen days, ghosts from hell are believed to be walking the earth and so special ceremonies are held in order to appease the visitors.

Paying respect to the deceased during Ghost Month (AP Photo/Wally Santana)

The barrels, or other fire-burning ovens, and altars that are displayed in front of nearly every home are part of ancestor worship for Taoist and Buddhist believers. In the ovens, they burn incense  signifying wealth and “joss paper” which represents earthly materials such as clothing, money, and other comfort items for the visiting spirits, including deceased ancestors, to use in the afterlife. The altars of food are set up in order to feed the hungry spirits, an additional way to bring them comfort in the afterlife. Also during this month, the believers put off many plans as it is an unlucky, and perhaps a dangerous time for many normal life events and activities, such as getting married, moving, swimming, travel, and even burying the dead.

Chinese carry the King of Hell in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (AP Photo/Lai Seng Sin)

If you want to join in the festivities, you may find the observance of Ghost Month anywhere there is a Chinese population. From Malaysia to Thailand, you are sure to find festivities, but of course the biggest celebrations are in Taiwan and China. If you are in Taiwan a great place to see the festival is in Keelung, a city about 40 minutes by train north of Taipei. Activities at the Keelung month-long celebration include folk art performances, the release of burning water lanterns, and the opening of the Gates of Hell.

Be cautious while attending activities and feasts, as many chairs are often set aside for the attending ghosts and sitting in one will offend more than just the living.

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