Free Snacks?

Last Sunday, we began seeing items set up on the street and I have been trying to figure out what was going on.  On the ground there are various fruits, oranges, pineapples, bananas, snack type bags with food, and candles lit.  They are just laying on a sidewalk.  They are clearly not dropped but they are set up nicely.  We have seen this at least a half dozen times in the last week. All are set up very similarly.  I snapped this picture to show you what we come upon.  No one was around.  Looks like free snacks or perhaps food samples, like at Sam's

Then yesterday, we saw several different groups near these items and they had a big fire in a metal barrel.  They were burning paper items in the fire.  The first group I saw I was too afraid to take a picture.  Apparently, by later in the afternoon, I was more brave.  This group was right outside M's office building in a highly populated area with lots of shopping malls and restaurants.  This is a pathway that cuts to the MRT.  The white wall is M's building.  This is a very nice area of Singapore. 

 Same group, just a closer picture

So, we have learned that the Muslims are fasting this month.  As we meet people, we are learning the customs and rituals of their fasting, like how long, when and what they can eat and drink during the day.  I am intrigued.  So when we take the girls to football (soccer) camp this morning, I consult my religious educator. 

Who you ask is that?  Could it be the coach, could it be another parent?   No, no, no . . . I am asking many of my Muslim questions to an adorable, kind, 11 year old boy, Samir, who is also at the camp.  I love this kid.  He has a great personality and also happens to be a very good soccer player.  And since I know nothing about the Muslim faith, and I can understand most of what he says because his English is good.  Last week, I learned some about the Muslim fasting customs.  Apparently, this week was Q & A time, because we came armed with questions about what we have seen on the streets.  I had decided that the items burning and food being set up outside may be a Muslim custom related to the fasting and Ramadan (which is a very prayerful celebration for the Muslim faith.)  But when I had searched last night on Google for the answer, nothing came up. 

Then my religious educator enlightened me and told me that for the Chinese people, it was the Ghost Festival and what I saw were offerings for that.  This, in fact, is not a Muslim custom at all.  How awesome is Samir?!  What I have learned since, is during the Ghost Festival, many Chinese people prepare ritualistic food offerings, burning incense, and burning joss paper (which is a paper mache form of material items such as clothes, gold, money and other fine goods) for the visiting spirits of the ancestors.   The burning of the items symbolizes giving the ancestors the gifts and remembering them.   

Not only is Samir educating me on his Muslim faith but now he is even providing information on the Chinese celebrations.  Seriously, he must be going home and telling his mom and dad about the silly American family with all the questions.  I don't even want to ask him about Christianity and the Catholic faith, he probably would know more than me on that also!  Although that wouldn't be hard, I joke with TieDye that I am only at a 4th grade (now going into 5th grade) level in religion class.  Hopefully Keylime won't pass me up! 

So, in fact, if you are walking the streets and see a similar set up.  Do not rip open a bag and dig in.  This is not tailgating!  They are not free snacks!