Descendants flock to grave-sweeping with pricey offerings during Chung Yeung Festival

Locals visited their ancestors with offerings to fulfill filial piety as Monday marked the first Chung Yeung festival after the lifting of gathering restrictions.

The columbariums in Chai Wan and Diamond Hill are packed with citizens bringing bags of offerings for grave-sweeping, while some parents take the opportunity to teach their children about traditional Chinese cultures.

A grave sweeper, surnamed Wan, said he would tell his girls about their ancestors and explain the Ching Ming and Chung Yeung Festivals' origins so they could learn about Chinese traditions and value filial piety.

He added that he brought roasted goose, chickens, ducks, and other favorite delicacies of the ancestors to pay tribute.

Another citizen, surnamed Wong, said the joss paper this year is about 10 to 20 percent more expensive. However, she would not buy less to show gratitude to the ancestors.