KUCHING: The Qing Ming Festival, widely known as Tomb Sweeping Day, encompasses more than the simple act of cleaning ancestral tombs; it is a profound moment of remembrance and reverence for the departed.
New Sarawak Tribune recently visited Nirvana Memorial Park in Bau near here, where individuals gathered to pay respects to their ancestors.
Within the Columbarium of Nirvana, relatives of the deceased can be seen carrying bags of paper offerings to be burned and food to be presented to their ancestors.
The atmosphere was filled with a sense of devotion as they lit three joss sticks and bowed respectfully, some even kneeling to offer prayers in honour of their ancestors and deceased relatives.
Among those paying tribute was retiree Linda Chin, 59, who shared intimate insights into her family’s Qing Ming traditions.
Despite their busy schedules, Chin’s family always comes together during this sacred time to honour their departed relatives.
She described the meticulous preparations involved, including offerings of joss money and preparing their deceased relatives’ favourite foods such as fried fish, fruits, rice and vegetables.
“Today, I am here to pay tribute to my uncle and aunt from my dad’s side of the family.
“Qing Ming is an important time for us to pay respect sincerely, ensuring that all due respects are given to them during this sacred time,” she said.
Entrepreneur Ong Cha Tak, 43, provided a different perspective on Qing Ming.
“For me, Qing Ming is akin to a New Year celebration for the deceased. It is a time when we ‘visit’ our family members who are no longer with us,” he explained.
He elaborated on the family’s rituals, which involve preparing sacrificial foods twice a year, particularly during Qing Ming Festival and the Hungry Ghost Festival.
In the Buddhist tradition, many families have an altar at home dedicated to honouring their ancestors and deceased loved ones.
This practice holds great significance, as explained by Sam Lum, a 44-year-old trader, who emphasised the importance of Qing Ming as a time for commemoration and paying respects to their ancestors by visiting their burial sites and cleaning their tombstones.
“We have prayed at home this morning. Alongside it, we also cooked meals at home to be offered to our deceased family members during this time,” he said.
