Cheng Beng

woke up as early as 6am this morning for the once-in-a-year event, Cheng Beng.

Mum has bought the candles, joss stick, Kim Chua, kuih-muih and fruits yesterday evening. and all systematically packed into tupperwares and ua-chan (multi-level tupperware) yesterday night.

We left the house early. fetched my Tua Pek (Eldest Uncle) and Ji Pek (Second Uncle) along the way. Then off we go to the first tombstone located in Paya Terubong. They are my great grandparents.

We meet Sehya and KahLing (uncle and aunt) before we started climbing up the hill. After reaching a certain level, we started searching for the right tombstone. We only go there once a year, thus everytime we are there, we still need to look around for a while, identifying the right ancestor! =S

This year, to our horror, there were many many many many many burned bushes all over my ancestors' tombstone. we got a hard time clearing them off before we can start paying our respect for them.

Then we give our respects, light the joss sticks and candles, served the food we bought and burned the kim chua . It was already 8.15am once everything was done!

Next, we went over to the hill in Batu Lanchang and did the same ritual for another ancestor. It was getting really hot as the sun is up!

After that we went over to Mui Heong Lam Temple to give our respect to my Grandfather. I just noticed, it's been nearly 12 years since he died. I can still remember those days where he would buy me sweets and drove all the way to town on his motorbike and give them to me. I miss him! :''(

One thing about Mui Heong Lam Temple for this kind of occassion is that there will be lotsa people. Thus the whole temple will be stuffed will smokes from the candles and joss sticks. it makes my eyes hurt!!!! my mum always joked that i should wear a goggles there! But another thing is, during this kind of occasion, there's always uncles selling ice creams on their motorbike waiting outside of the temple. *evil grin* that's my medicine for my eyes! =P

Then to our last destination, my Emah's house to pay our respect to the ancestors. Same ritual was done. just that it's not so stuffy! only family were there. i prefer that way! =D

i think Cheng Beng is a chinese tradition that should be practised by younger generations. We have to pay our respects to our ancestors for without them, we wont even be here right now! =)

ps: no camera for the day. no photos for this post!


PLEASE REMEMBER TO TURN OFF YOUR LIGHTS TONIGHT FROM 8.30PM - 9.30PM IN SUPPORT OF EARTH HOUR! =D