Cheng beng

Yesterday was Cheng Beng Day.So,i was back in Lunas since Thursday to help out..supposedly..but then we arrived quite late..so didn't do much.

Friday morning at 6.30am..woke up and went for breakfast before going to the cemetery.Had our usual breakfast under the coconut trees.Cool right?Then it was back home to load everything into the car.There were fruits,kuih,paper money,paper clothings,joss stick,candle...etc.Some couldn't fit so had to be taken in another car.After everything was packed,off we went to the cemetery.The roads were bumpy and there was a huge crowd as it was the actual day (Some people go before while some after but it has to be within 10 days before or after the actual day)

We have to pray at 3 graves..my great grandfather,1st great grandmother and 3rd great grandmother...my 2nd great grandmother and 3rd uncle...my grandfather..At the graves,there are writing either names of the family members or about them.These are some photos of them.

Because it rained the night before and has been raining frequently,some of the graves were flooded.My great grandfather's grave and my grandfather's grave were a little dirty whereas my great grandmother's was flooded with water and mud.So,my uncle had to go back home and get a water pump to remove the water and mud.This is a photo of my parents and my uncle cleaning the grave.
Some were busy cleaning,others were busy preparing the stuff to pray.First thing was to cover the top of the grave with shredded colour papers.This can only be done by the boys or men.Girls and women are not allowed to step go to the top.Another thing is..because husband and wife are buried together,so,if the husband already passed away and the wife is still alive,then the husband's side is covered with colour paper whereas the wife's side is covered in red paper.These are a few photos..my uncle throwing the papers and the grave after it is covered.

Then,starts the headache..Distributing the fruits,kuih,paper money,candles,joss stick and not to be forgotten the 'Sa seh',direct translation three birth.This time we bought a roasted piglet,a roasted chicken and a roasted duck.It can be replaced with anything such as dried cuttlefish or slice of boiled meat,as long as there are three types.This is a photo of my grandmother 'supervising' and a few photos of the graves when they were set up.

After that,everyone is suppose to pay respect and ask the ancestors to enjoy the meal.This year,we did it a little differently.We didn't put much food at my great grandfather's and great grandmothers' grave,instead we invited them to have their meal at my grandfather's grave.Didn't manage to take more photos cause was very busy.Managed to get only one.This is my grand-aunty.

We had to wait for the ancestors to eat.While waiting,and since we were tired and hungry,we brought food and fruits to eat..and tea as well.Meal TOGETHER with the ancestors.It was also a time to take PHOTOS.

Then....MAT KOOL,MAT KOOL,KAWANKU...or the TING TING TING...the ICE-CREAM MAN..During a hot day,no matter how old you are,an ice-cream is the best to cool the heat,quench the thirst and refresh.So,these are some photos of EVERYONE enjoying their ice-cream.

After half and hour or so,it was time to burn the paper money and clothings which also marks the end of the cheng beng.

These are a few photos of the graves when everything was done.

After all that?Head back home,some prayers at home,clean our shoes from the mud,distribute the all the stuff from cheng beng among relatives...and have a nice bath.

That's how Cheng beng is celebrated in my family....