Ghost Month traditions and anti-bribery campaigns unfold in Taiwan and Hong Kong

As the traditional Ghost Month (the seventh lunar month) begins, various cultural practices and public awareness campaigns are unfolding across the region.

In Taiwan, the Changhua District Prosecutors Office has launched a creative anti-bribery campaign titled ‘Ghost Month Anti-Bribery Special’. Using folklore and suspenseful themes, the office aims to warn citizens that election bribery—disguised as gifts, meals, or cash—is a more significant threat than supernatural entities. The campaign encourages the public to report suspicious activities via a dedicated hotline.

In Hong Kong, the period is marked by the Hungry Ghost Festival, a tradition with over 100 years of history, particularly within the Teochew community. Customs include burning ritual paper offerings, performing Teochew opera, and distributing rice to those in need. Traditional taboos are also widely observed to avoid attracting spirits, such as avoiding wearing black or red clothing, not whistling at night, and refraining from walking close to walls in dark alleys.