[PHOTOS] Incense and immense gratitude: families revere ancestors on Qingming
Tomb Sweeping Day sees Chinese communities paying respects at forebears’ graves
Updated 3 years ago · Published on 08 Apr 2023 6:37PM
The Qingming tradition originated from emperors who built majestic imperial tombstones. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, April 8, 2023
by Abd Razak Latif
KUALA LUMPUR – Chinese communities across the country performed their filial duties by visiting their ancestors’ graves today to mark the Qingming Festival.
The families trickled into cemeteries to pay respects to their deceased forebears by cleaning their graves, lighting fragrant incense, and offering prayers.
Also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, the festival is celebrated 15 days after the Spring Equinox.
The Vibes’ ABDUL RAZAK LATIF recently caught the pensive Kwong Tong Cemetery in Kuala Lumpur, all in an atmosphere charged with tradition, reverence, and hope for the future. – The Vibes, April 8, 2023
The cleaning and sweeping of graves, ancestor worship, offering food to the deceased, and burning joss sticks are among unique elements that embody the Chinese concept of the afterlife. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, April 8, 2023Qingming is similar to All Souls’ Day for Catholics, where people would visit and clean the cemeteries of their loved ones. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, April 8, 2023Family members would burn joss sticks and joss paper, sweep the tombs of their ancestors, and offer food, tea, wine, and chopsticks in honour of their memory on Qingming. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, April 8, 2023The burning of joss paper and paper replicas of material goods such as cars, homes, phones and paper servants is believed to assist the deceased in the afterlife. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, April 8, 2023Family members take turns to pay their respects to their ancestors. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, April 8, 2023Diaspora Chinese communities such as Malaysians place great importance on the Qingming festival and observe its traditions faithfully. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, April 8, 2023Family members pay respects to their ancestors on Qingming. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, April 8, 2023Family members take turns to pay their respects to their ancestors. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, April 8, 2023More than just a day of remembrance, Qingming is an opportunity to strengthen family bonds and reinforce filial piety. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, April 8, 2023
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[PHOTOS] Of tomb cleaning and offerings: honouring ancestors on Qingming
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