and are supposed to pass into the invisible world as garments, &c. for the manes, who on this day are permitted to emerge from the gates of their shadowy abode, and visit their relatives on earth.
On the 15th day of the moon, I visited the Quan-yin, or temple, where the sacrifice to the spirits of the poor, and of such as have no surviving relations, is held. The place resounded with the clang of the deep toned gong, and the deafening clash of the Chinese cymbal. Within the walled enclosure surrounding the temple, a large platform was laid out with a number of dishes bearing conical heaps of boiled rice, adorned with slips of gaily coloured paper, shewing Chinese characters. The four angles of the platform were marked by columnar fabrics, constructed of bamboo and studded all over with Malay fruits—principally the Sintol and Rambútan, (Nephelium Echinatum). At the bottom rose a huge pyramid of plantains crowned with small flags. Behind this grinned ghastly the boiled corses of a flayed sheep and porker. Vessels, apparently containing their frothy blood, were placed before them. Nearer the temple stood another platform, bearing a table with the seats of the three Wey-siong or officiating priests. The inner door of the temple was shaded by the large leafy stems of sugarcanes, decorated with scalloped paper of a bright yellow hue.
In the street, in front of the principal entrance, I observed a third platform, about twelve feet high, illuminated by large tapers of red wax, the light of which was somewhat obscured by the clouds of smoke arising from burning incense. On the platform were ranged baskets of fruit and cakes; among the latter were some shaped like the human hand, divested of three of the fingers, small packs of Chinese cards, opium, and minute cups of porcelain, containing arrack. The baskets and dishes were surmounted by little flags. A table of great length, brilliantly lighted up, and covered with a variety of dishes of Chinese cuisine,[1] sweatmeats, fruit, &c. stood in the centre of the street. This formed the banquet intended for the expected aerial guests; for each of whom was placed a small cup of tea in the Chinese fashion, without either milk or sugar; one of hot arrack, a little plate of condiments, and a pair of gilt and red kwae-tsze, or chop sticks.
A personage called by the Malays, Hantu Ribut, the storm fiend, and by the Chinese Tye-su; a deity whose province it is to take charge of the souls of men, and to distribute the offerings, presides over the
- ↑ The custom of offering dressed meats to the spirits of ancestors was practised by Confucius. We find in the book of Shang-lun that when his prince presented him with raw flesh, he had it dressed and then offered it to his deceased ancestors.
