Public entertainment during the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar, while intended for the special visitors of the netherworld, would once have attracted a large audience across Singapore. The crowds at such events, typically a getai in more modern times, or a Chinese opera or puppet performance in the past, have dwindled over the years. Perhaps this is more the case this year with the political hustings coinciding with the celebration of the hungry ghosts festival. It still is nice to come across them as they make not just for a colourful spectacle, but also because they tell us that the traditions of our forefathers, though modified, are very much still alive.
A 7th month Hokkien Opera performance at the Balestier Road Goh Chor Tua Pek Kong Temple’s free-standing stage – one of the last such stages left in Singapore.
A getai performance at Woodlands.
Front row seats at such events are reserved for the guests from the netherworld.
The crowd at the getai performance.
Another getai held in Sembawang.
Which attracted a different kind of special guest.
A performer at the Sembawang getai.
And another.
Filed under: Entertainment, Events, Photography Series, Reminders of Yesterday, Singapore, Traditions, Windows into Singapore 
