Ready for the gates of hell: Shop assistant Angeli Choo showing the black gold at her shop in Rangoon Road, Penang. (Left) Volunteers assembling the Tai Su Yeah effigy in Bukit Mertajam. — K.T.GOH/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Blocks of charcoal dubbed “black gold” are in huge demand throughout the month-long Phor Thor celebrations (Hungry Ghost Festival).
Prayer paraphernalia shop owner Teh Guan Heng said black gold is considered an auspicious item that can be auctioned off at dinners organised by a Phor Thor committee.
“Black gold symbolises luck and prosperity and it has been a traditional ritual for the public to bid for it during the festival’s dinners.
“For the last two months, I have sourced for these logs from local factories before decorating them.
“Each piece is unique as it comes in various sizes and not a single piece in the market would look the same.
“Some of them are decorated based on customers’ preference,” said Teh when met at his shop in Jalan Rangoon.
The festival this year will be celebrated until Sept 14.
Volunteers assembling the Tai Su Yeah effigy in Bukit Mertajam.
Usually, each Phor Thor committee will host an appreciation dinner after the burning of paper effigies.
People from all backgrounds, from businessmen to hawkers, will then sit together to feast.
There will be an auction of treasures of fortune, including black gold.
Part of the money raised through the auction will go to charitable organisations, schools and non-governmental organisations to fund their activities or for the construction of new buildings.
Teh, 55, said successful bidders will place the black gold at homes or temples as blessings.
“Each piece of my decorated black gold can fetch up to RM1,000, depending on its size and complexity.
“At the dinner, some committees had received bids of over RM100,000.
“The amount will be used for charity,” he added.
He also packages other prayer paraphernalia to ease purchases.
“The sets that include all the necessities range from RM18 to RM388 for home and office use.
In BUKIT MERTAJAM, the giant effigy of the King of Hades (Tai Su Yeah) for the festival is back on display and worshipped at Pertubuhan Perayaan Yu Lan BM building in Jalan Pasar.
The 8.6m-tall effigy, said to be among the biggest in the country, will be placed at the site for two weeks before being sent off on Sept 1.
Taoists believe that when the gates of hell open in the seventh of the lunar month, spirits get to go on a “vacation” to the mortal world while being watched by Tai Su Yeah.
Stages are set up in predominantly Chinese areas in the state where performances are held to entertain these spirits.
