@Terlalu Istimewa - Adibah Noor

kau terlalu istimewa

kasih dan sayangmu terpancar

seikhlas tiada batasan, terus membara

it has been awhile.

things are getting hectic

in this short semester.

plus the laziness

*long post ahead* akibatnya.

its a confession.

life has been so-so

last saturday, 1st day of the month

i went back to Malacca specifically Taboh Naning

confess: 50% by force, 50% by will

but i drove. for the first time ever

to another state. *breathes in*

it was for a traditional chinese practise

specially for the Hokkiens

called "Kong Tek" or

Gong De in mandarin

there was not much general information about it

but it is a ceremony conducted on the

benefits of the deceased

to help them get ready for the next phase of life.

the ideal case is that the deceased

passed away in peace.

we were there early(before 0900)

wait, it was the monks that were late

by a freaking 6-7 hours.

i could have attended my replacement class *whines*

so anyways, we went for brunch and

look what we found"One YeeMee PotClay and One SoyaBIN please."

came back to the hall and waited

by folding the silver and gold paper...

in our case, this ritual was done for

my paternal grandfather and paternal 4th uncle

earlier it was being told that the ideal situation is

going-in-peace.

both of them passed away one

in an accident, another was gunned-down

so there was bloodshed.

i shall let the pictures do the better

job of explanation... Photo1: overview of the paper house

Photo2: close-up on paper house

Photo3: paper house and altar

*chairs are for the deceased*

Photo4: main altar

*for summoning the spirits of the deceased*

Photo5: another altar facing another direction.
*also for summoning the spirits*

Photo6: Hell's Sea of Blood

*it was said that those who died in bloodshed

would be trapped under the sea

preventing rebirth.*

Photo7: Hell's Sea of Blood with it's accessories

*the Sea has 5 levels, and it can be rotated

to help the deceased spirits come out

from the sea and gain rebirth - see the ladder?*

Photo8: For uncle, and For grandpa

*us the living were asked to rotate the sea

for as long as possible to make sure that

the spirit is released, strictly not allowed

for ladies who are having period.*

the descendants of the deceased

were in white(sons and siblings)

and blue(grandchildren)

with black long pants.

it was worth it

a ceremony for the deceased

a gathering for the living ones

a bond-strengthening for the youths.

the ritual is rare

as it comes in costly

this one could easily cost about 20,000(RM)

rest in peace

grandpa and uncle.

tak tertanggung rindu

mendengar suaramu

tawa mengusik jiwa