Hong Kong’s Hungry Ghost Festival may have begun on Aug. 10, but if you’re still confused about why locals are leaving opened umbrellas in hallways, burning fake money and putting perfectly good food out for the rats, this video may just clear a few things up.
Created by internet funny man Ryan Sylvia and his Night Owl Cinematics Troupe, “How to Survive Chinese Ghost Festival” is a practical guide for all those in Camp Clueless. Shot in one continuous and very funny frame, it’s also most entertaining.
If you’re still at a complete loss, let us tell you that Yu Lan, or the Hungry Ghost Festival, is celebrated in the seventh lunar month of each year.
This is a time when ethnic Chinese people make offerings in the form of food, prayers, entertainment and (fake) money in a bid to appease their spiritual ancestors, who wander the world hungry, bored and generally grumpy.
Top tips to take away from the video:
– Don’t kill moths
– Don’t pat people
– Wear flat shoes
DISCLAIMER: We’re not sure how essential the all above actually are to having a safe Hungry Ghost Festival, but all are good life lessons just the same…
Photo: YouTube screengrab
