The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1872-11-01
Chinese Offerings to the Dead
From the San Francisco Bulletin.

From the San Francisco Bulletin.
The Chinese burial ground at Lone
Nountlan Was the theatre, the other
day, OF general observance of these
customs. They are usually performed
twice a year, on the 18th of February
and the 18th Of July, according to their
calendar. At an early hour along pro-
cessiOn of carriages and express wagons
moved toward the cemetery from The
Chinese quarter. Every one was flied
with ChinameD, some of tina wagons
being over loaded. In the latter were
the offerings to be made ct the graves.
Eacn party of sacrificers had a roast
hcg, laid on q shallow wooden trough
or tray, baked ducks and chickens,
pyramids of cakes composed of lard,
-four and sugar, and baked In various
colOrs, pots of Tea, bottles OF vine and
brandy, chop sticks, cups plates and
saucers, packages of rice and large
bundles Of yellow and crimson paper
The ceremonies at all the tombs were
similar, SD tina: description of those
at one lime will answer for all. The
tray holding the roast pig was laid at
the fOSts OF a grave or irclosure contain
fng several, and behind this was placed
a piece Of mating, on which was
spread the smaller deiieacies of the Ce-
lestial lunch Rice was scattered on
the ground, tea and wipe ard brandy
poured into little cups, the chop sticks
placed in position for use, and the py-
ramids cf cakes uncovered. Then the
men of the party, singly or In couples,
bowed twice with clasped hands
toward the offering and the graves, then
knet tabd bowed the head thrice to the
ground.
Joss-sticks and crimson wax tapers
were lighted and stuck in the sand on
the tomb, the latter for discouraging
presence and officiOus interference of
evil spirits of those who had been foes
on the earth of the dead. The pecu-
liar OdOr of Chinese incense tilled the
air, and was at times so pungent as to
almost discourage the presence of Cau-
casians, clothed in the strong armOr of
the earth earthly. The obligations all
properly arranged, the packages of pa
pers were unloosed and prepared for
flames.
Some of the papers bore Inscriptions
written by men called wise i'm matters
of religion. Some were prayers to the
gods for good harvests, health, peace
and joy to the living. Some were in
the nature of bills of fare, Informing
the departed of all the ingredients of
the offerings, the name of the donors,
anu petiOn to them to come and par
take. Then there were piles of "money
paper" representing copper, silver and
gOld, according to the color Of little
piece OF gilt paper stuck in the centre
of each sheet. This is intended to be
drawn on sight by the dead, and used
by them to defray their necessary ex-
penses in the other world. All these
and such other communications as
may be written, are supposed to become
visible and tangible to the spirit when
reduced to ashes. The pile is fired, and
i'm few minutes clouds of smoke and
cinders fill the sir; the immortals are
present, and renew the festivities Of
mortal life. 1t il always supposed
that there are spirits who have no
friends to call them back charity
reaches into the land Of Ruddha.
The Cinnamon cuts off small portions
ofthe pig, the lower bill of a duck, por.
tion of chickens breast, takes NOR
sci of cake, a little wine or tea and rice
and deposits them in side dish for the
gustatory enjoyment of the poor spirits.
At the conclusion of the sncrificial Gel.
emonies, al! the edibles that have not
been cast upon the ground are gather
ed up again, replaced in the wagons
and returned to tie abodes of the living,
where the tables receive them, and
they soon disappear down the threats
of all who have contributed to procure
and cook the Celestial feast.