Busy on roads this weekend - tomb sweeping continues
Apr 8th 2016, 11:28 pm
#1
...............
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Far North Queensland
Posts: 17,625
Busy on roads this weekend - tomb sweeping continues
Just to warn, especially around the cemetery areas (Mount Erskine etc), will be busy on the roads again, as it's towards the end of Qing Ming (or Cheng Ming) tomb sweeping.
Maybe a good weekend to batten down the hatches..... unless of course one is tomb sweeping.
Maybe a good weekend to batten down the hatches..... unless of course one is tomb sweeping.
Apr 9th 2016, 12:42 am
#2
Hostage Negotiator
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,173
Re: Busy on roads this weekend - tomb sweeping continues
Explains the wailing I've been hearing these last few evenings, I thought maybe the neighbour had got his water bill 
Apr 9th 2016, 1:22 am
#3
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2015
Location: Penang
Posts: 959
Re: Busy on roads this weekend - tomb sweeping continues
Thus far is it today not as bad as one week ago. It is in fact pretty quiet today. It was absolute chaos last weekend at Mount Erskine.
Apr 9th 2016, 2:12 am
#4
...............
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Far North Queensland
Posts: 17,625
Re: Busy on roads this weekend - tomb sweeping continues
Yes the main road looks pretty clear right now. I'm no expert on this but I believe it is spread over 2 weeks and, obviously, the weekends are going to be the busiest.
Apr 9th 2016, 3:22 am
#5
`
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 38,612
Re: Busy on roads this weekend - tomb sweeping continues
Erm........
What is tomb sweeping?
What is tomb sweeping?
Apr 9th 2016, 4:00 am
#6
...............
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Far North Queensland
Posts: 17,625
Re: Busy on roads this weekend - tomb sweeping continues
Yer sweep yer tombs BEVS 
It's a traditional Chinese thing, respecting your ancestors, and those that have ancestors buried here in Penang, go and clean up the tombs and surroundings. Some countries even take a public holiday. Hong Kong does I think.
A tradition. Pity it falls during the hottest period of the year. Mind you, could be worse if it was chucking it down with monsoon I suppose.
It's a traditional Chinese thing, respecting your ancestors, and those that have ancestors buried here in Penang, go and clean up the tombs and surroundings. Some countries even take a public holiday. Hong Kong does I think.
A tradition. Pity it falls during the hottest period of the year. Mind you, could be worse if it was chucking it down with monsoon I suppose.
Apr 9th 2016, 5:57 am
#7
¿uo buıob s,ʇɐɥʍ
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,762
Re: Busy on roads this weekend - tomb sweeping continues
The Chinese fervently believe that the spirits of ancestors look after the family, and therefore go to great lengths to honour them.
There's a fascinating description of the Cheng Beng festival in Penang and all that it entails here:
Cheng Beng – the Festival of the Tombs
JC3
Apr 9th 2016, 7:34 am
#9
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2015
Location: Penang
Posts: 959
Re: Busy on roads this weekend - tomb sweeping continues
The Star newspaper wrote some days ago that it is spread over 20 days: it is centred around the first day of the second month on the Chinese calendar (which is April 4th in case of 2016). The graves should be visited and cleaned between ten days prior and ten days after.
Apr 9th 2016, 8:52 am
#10
Hostage Negotiator
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,173
Re: Busy on roads this weekend - tomb sweeping continues
Erskine Road has been quiet today but I think they're all in Gurney Plaza - the only space I could find to park was on the roof!
