GEORGE TOWN, Malaysia - Paper replicas of life-sized mahjong table sets complete with foldable chairs and a seafood steamboat spread are among the hot selling items this year for the Qing Ming or Chinese All Souls Day in Malaysia.

The Qing  Ming Festival is a traditional Chinese festival on the 104th day after the winter solstice (or the 15th day from the Spring Equinox), usually occurring around April 5th. In many countries in South-East Asia, this ‘All Souls Day’ (not to be confused with the Roman Catholic holiday with the same name) is celebrated. Its name denotes a time for people to go outside and enjoy the greenery of springtime (踏青 Tàqīng, "treading on the greenery") and tend to the graves of departed ones.
The actual Qing Ming falls on April 5, but in Malaysia, people are expected to visit the graves of their loved ones over the weekend to avoid the crowd.

Motorcycles

Makers of the replicas for the dead have also came up with items such as laptop computers, golf sets, children’s clothes, life-sized motorcycles, mineral water, wine, bungalows, yachts and massage chairs. They are sold in prayer paraphernalia shops.

A shop in George Town is selling the replica mahjong table set for RM168 each (25 USD, 18,50 euro), as according to shop manager Angeli Choo, it is imported from China.

(The Star Online)