Qingming Festival
After four years of distance from family and the ancestral homeland, in 2023 I finally had the chance to be in Taiwan during Qingming Festival. This holiday period is dedicated to returning to the ancestral tomb, tending to the gravesite, and continuing to build a deeper connection with the forebears, an occasion I’ve long wanted to understand more deeply and actively engage in.
Growing up in Australia, I missed the opportunity to participate in festivities such as this. As I continue to connect with family and the motherland, I start to realise the finite time there is to learn these traditions and delve into the unique customs and historical legacy of my own family.
Food and beverages are prepared in the morning as prayer offerings for the ancestors, once the processions are over, the food is then shared as lunch with the family.
My uncle, prepared with a broom and a bagful of tools to weed and lop anything he deems overgrown.
Nowadays only those who are in the country participate, many family members have since moved abroad leaving those who remain in Taiwan to carry on the tradition.
Joss sticks are burned during the prayer processions as a token of respect to ancestors who have passed.
Stones are laid on yellow paper on the roof of the tomb to symbolise upkeep of the tomb for another year.
The physical act of cleaning the tomb is a demonstration of the present generation’s care and respect to ancestors, it’s expected these traditions are carried on and repeated by the generations to come.
A small fire is burnt in front of the tomb once each of the tasks have been carried out, this is often a time to connect with ancestors and deliver words of remembrance to those that come before you. Joss paper is burnt as offerings to symbolise money for those in the afterlife.
Once the processions are over, all the food prepared earlier in the day for prayer is shared amongst family, and in this instance, also with dear friends who were present to participate and witness the traditions.
