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<p><strong>Women performing at Hungry Ghost Festival Columbus Park </strong></p>
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<p>In case you didn't know, Ghost Month started Aug 16 and runs through Sept 14.  Celebrated by Chinese worldwide, the festival falls on the 15th day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar each year.  According to Folklore, Ghost Month is when the gates of hell open and spirits of the deceased roam the earth.  Some families would set up offerings in front of the family's ancestral shrine to invite spirits of ancestors in for a feast but are wary the offerings may attract not so friendly spirits. </p>
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<p><strong>Setting the table with fruit, flowers and joss paper </strong> </p>
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<p>Each year the Columbus Park "Hungry Ghost committee" hosts a prayer and celebration by the pavilion on the North end of the park.  Offerings laid out include fruits, roasted pigs and mountains of <strong>JOSS PAPER</strong> (burnt as offerings) The celebration includes traditional songs sung for the occasion and storytelling. </p>
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<p><strong>Whole roasted pig for prayers and participants </strong></p>
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<p>While many Chinese celebrate Ghost Month privately at home, others believe there are certain things to avoid during the month.  </p>
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<p>Some Fengshui things to avoid are</p>
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<p><strong>Whistling which may attract ghosts.</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Walking on dark paths at night (that's where they hide)</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Picking up money (ghosts may think it's for them) </strong></p>
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<p><strong>Avoid sitting under trees ( ghosts are believed to linger there)</strong> </p>
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<p><strong>Avoid moving into new home.</strong> </p>
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<p></p>
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<p></p>
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