Authorities in certain regions of China have recently imposed bans on the burning of “ghost money” and other paper offerings for deceased family members in anticipation of the upcoming Qingming festival, labeling the practice as “feudal superstition,” which has caused backlash on social media.
Reports from the party-backed Legal Daily newspaper on March 27 revealed bans on burning “ghost money” and selling “superstitious feudal” items in cities like Tianjin, Nenjiang, and Nantong, among others.
These offerings, common in both Buddhist and Taoist traditions, involve burning paper money and effigies of desired goods to ensure a comfortable afterlife for the departed. Some stores even provide bureaucratic paperwork to assist the deceased in navigating the underworld.
The bans were implemented in preparation for Qingming, a festival where families clean and tend to the graves of their loved ones, leaving offerings and sometimes sharing a meal at the gravesite.
The bans have sparked debates on social media, with many expressing concerns about the government’s control over traditional mourning practices.
Despite concerns over environmental impact, traditional customs like honoring ancestors through grave tending and burning offerings have been defended by some, emphasizing the cultural significance and emotional importance of these practices.
Possible fears of public unrest
Some critics suggest that the bans are a way for the authorities to prevent potential public protests or petitions during Qingming, following a significant number of deaths since the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in 2022.
The Chinese Communist Party has also discouraged the depiction of supernatural themes in media productions in recent years, despite public interest in such content.
The bans have been met with opposition on social media, with many commentators questioning the government’s control over cultural traditions and expressions of mourning.
Critics argue that the bans demonstrate unchecked power and disregard for centuries-old customs, prompting comparisons to past instances of government interference in cultural practices.
Residents, wary of reprisals, have spoken out against the bans, defending the cultural legacy left by ancestors and expressing the importance of honoring traditions that have been passed down over generations.
Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Roseanne Gerin.