Redditor wonders why seventh-month offerings are left uncleared after rituals
A Redditor on r/askSingapore recently sparked discussion with a question many HDB residents may have noticed but seldom voiced: why are seventh-month offerings often left on pavements even after the rituals are over?
In a post on Sunday (21 Sept), the original poster (OP) described this familiar scene in their neighbourhood.
Even after the prayers have ended and the candles and incense have burned out, the food remains untouched, with no one coming by to clean up.
Why don’t people clear their 7th month food offering?
byu/Cultural_Ball_1468 inaskSingapore
While acknowledging that town council cleaners work on fixed schedules and cannot clear pavements daily, the OP questioned why individuals themselves aren’t cleaning up after the Hungry Ghost Festival rituals.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
“What’s stopping the people from clearing the food offerings and candles/incense they left out? Does it make the ghosts angry or what?” they asked.
Netizens share their takes on possible reasons
One netizen suggested that the older generation may not clean up after themselves because it wasn’t expected of them in the past.
Source: Reddit
Another commenter pointed out that, from a young age, people are taught not to touch the offerings, with warnings that doing so could anger the spirits.
Source: Reddit
A Redditor shared that the most common reason they’ve heard from others is that people prefer to let the cleaners take care of the offerings instead.
Source: Reddit
On the other hand, another netizen who regularly clears their offerings believed doing so was a common practice among Singaporeans.
Source: Reddit
NEA reminds public to keep areas clean
The National Environment Agency (NEA) recently reminded the public on Facebook to respect their neighbours and keep areas clean during the seventh-month period.
Authorities urged people to burn joss paper only at designated spots, clear offerings and incense after rituals, and avoid littering.
The NEA also emphasised that sincerity is more important than quantity, encouraging the public to burn joss paper in moderation to reduce smoke and ash.
Also read: Residents slammed for burning 7th-month offerings on new pavement in Woodlands
Residents slammed for burning 7th-month offerings on new pavement in Woodlands
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.
Featured image adapted from Wikimedia Commons, for illustration purposes only.Â
