The document discusses ghost festivals and celebrations that honor the dead in several cultures around the world. It describes the Chinese Ghost Festival where people believe ancestors can visit and prepare feasts for them. It also details the Obon festival in Japan, the P'chum Ben celebration in Cambodia where offerings are made to ancestors over 15 days, and Mexico's Day of the Dead where families construct altars and bring gifts and food to commemorate passed loved ones. Common traditions involve honoring the deceased with meals, items, music and visiting burial sites.

1. 中元節 Chinese Ghost Festival Celebrations in China And around the World

2. 中元節 - About Also called the Hungry Ghost Festival During the 7th month- 15 th day is the most important It is believed that the dead can cross over in to the living realm during this time People believe they are visited by ancestors

3. 中元節 - Celebrations and Customs 7th day- feasts are prepared for ghosts Burning fake money and paper items (TV's, furniture, etc.) Street Opera performances- front row left open for ghosts

4. Celebrations and Cutoms- Cont. Shops close so the streets are open for the dead to pass Some float water lanterns to light the way for the dead Advised not to- Go swimming Wander around late at night Get married, start a business, etc.

5. The Oban(Festivals of the Lanterns The Oban is celebrated in Japan every year in the month of August. This is when the souls from the dead go back to the living world to visit their relatives(Similar to the Chinese Ghost Festival).

6. The Oban(cont'd) People would put food offerings in the temples and their houses for the souls. When the sun has set, the people would put lanterns in front of their houses to guide the souls back to their homes.

7. P'chum Ben -Cambodian Celebration Cambodian Buddishts celebrate P'chum Ben on the 10th month of the Lunar calendar. It is celebrated for 15 days with many entertainment such as music, speeches, and food. People wear their finest clothes on this day and meet up with friends and family.

8. P'chum Ben-Cambodian(cont'd) The first 14 days people would prepare food offerings and bring them to the temple to give to the monks and to their ancestors. On the 15th day, they would bring in special treats to end the festival and also cook batches of rice to lay on the ground for hungry ghosts going around.

9. The Day of the Dead is a Mexican Holiday that is meant to be a memorial for ancestors that have passed away. It is also celebrated by Latinos living in the United States and Canada. It occurs annually on November 2 nd .

10. BELIEFS AND TRADITIONS It is believed that during the holiday it is easier for souls to visit the living. People go to cemeteries to communicate with those who have passed away. Build private altars containing photos, food, and other items to honor the departed.

11. BELIEFS AND TRADITIONS (CONT’D) For children who have passed away, toys are brought to there shrines. For adults, they get alcoholic beverages. Some families spend time at the altars telling stories about the deceased relatives. Dancers where shells on there clothing to awaken the dead.

12. BELIEFS AND TRADITIONS (CONT’D) The symbol of this holiday is a skull or Calaveras. Calaveras can also be poems or comic strips. They originated in the 18 th Century . During this holiday, certain foods are usually prepared such as sugar skulls and pan de muerto which is sweet bread. Sugar skills are edible “gifts” that can be self decorated. They can be given to both the living and the dead.

14. Sources http://www.chinese-culture.net/html/hungry_ghost_festival.htmlhttp://www.essortment.com/all/hungryghostfes_opi.htm http://www.chinavoc.com/festivals/ghost.htm http://www.religionfacts.com/chinese_religion/holidays/ghost_festival.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_dead http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:CemetarioAlmoloyaRio1995.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gran_calavera_el%C3%A9ctrica2.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2141/2068068746_21b31d8c5f.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ofrenda_in_Ciudad_Universitaria,_Mexico_DF_.jpg http://www.planetvideo.com.au/blog/2008/11/01/Camisa_de_los_Muertos7ngDetail.jpg http://media.photobucket.com/image/day%20of%20the%20dead/acootis/Day%20of%20the%20Dead/Day_of_the_Dead.jpg

15. Sources &quot;Not Just Halloween: Festivals of the Dead from around the World.&quot; EDSITEment . Oct. 2004. Web. 28 Aug. 2009. <http://edsitement.neh.gov/monthly_feature.asp?id=80 > http://www.planetvideo.com.au/blog/2008/11/01/Camisa_de_los_Muertos7ngDetail.jpg http://media.photobucket.com/image/day%20of%20the%20dead/acootis/Day%20of%20the%20Dead/Day_of_the_Dead.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d7/WatMohaMontreyAtPchumBen.JPG http://www.underthedragon.com/79_Caption7_PchumBen.jpg