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Sunday, August 1, 2010

Steeped in Tradition

A lot of ritual and ceremonial rites were observed during the funeral and these are in danger of disappearing with the younger set.


He wore three sets of satin silk brocade long chinese gowns.


Efficient workers fixed canopies and awnings
Before
after

branches of the Tay family at the wake
daughter's friends

my colleagues
they don't make houses like they used to before: spacious lawns and generous driveways which I will miss
Modernity juxtaposed with tradition
like tea and coffee making facility
three priests presided
the first night...those who are in KL
Every nook and crany of the house was made use of: here it is an outdoor altar
candles at the corner of the road leading guests to our house
the venue at night
in the early morn...some did not sleep but kept vigil the whole night

grandchildren
the Christians in the family
to be burnt as offering

opening the bags of joss papers

which filled the paper house

all that is left.

3 comments:

Kok Hong said...

Really amazed to know that they actually employ people to fold those paper money and in the end burn it. I don't think they're folded by machines...

Why are your relatives dressed in red? Has it got something to do with the age of the deceased? I remember during my grandma's funeral, we wore white. Also organized by Nirvana though....

MK Loo said...

every night the Myanmar workers of Nirvana folded them while prayers were conducted.

Everyone is encouraged to wear red or bright colours because deceased was 90 plus.

Sue Lin said...

Good selection of photos