Long Tail Macaques

A mother restraining her baby.

The long tail macaques (Macaca fascicularis), sometimes called the crab eating macaques are distributed widely in S.E.Asia.

Weighing from 7 to 26 pounds, the males are larger than the females. They live in groups or troops of about 30 members. Though arboreal, they do spend a portion of their time on the ground for food and play. Their foods consist of seeds, shoots, fruits, insects and small animals. Sometimes, if they are living near the coasts and mangrove forest, they do relish crabs too, hence the name crab eating macaques.

This macaque can breed anytime during the year. After a gestation or pregnancy that lasts 160 days the baby will be born. They will be weaned at about 420 days. The males reach sexual maturity around year 6 while the female achieves theirs at age 4.

Due to development, many colonies of these monkeys are being isolated up in forested limestone hills surrounded by housing estates. Sometimes they do move into houses to forage for food and as such making themselves a pest.

Until recently, they were still caught and sold for scientific experiments. But now the pressure has being lifted as those used for medical researches are being bred domestically.

A mating pair.

Three juveniles playing.

A mother and its child.

Curious.

On the look out.

A family of three.

A seaside dwelling macaque.

THE HUNGRY GHOST FESTIVAL

The Hungry Ghost Festival is traditionally a Chinese Taoist Festival celebrated on the 15th night of the 7th lunar month. This month is generally referred to as the ghost month, when the ghosts and spirits are released from the ‘lower realm’ to roam in the human world. As such, travels, weddings and other auspicious celebrations are generally avoided during this time.


Both Taoist and Buddhist temples will hold special prayers for the departed souls. The most elaborate ceremonies are found in Taoist temples where Chinese operas, stage shows together with dinners are usually held in the temple premises or their vicinities. To the uninformed, those few empty tables and chairs at the front of the stages are reserved for ‘visiting ghosts’ that might want to join in the fun.

Believers would bring offerings and other paraphernalia made from paper and bamboo strips for their departed relatives. Taoist priests will perform rituals, chant prayers and do their elaborated moves, accompanied by beats from cymbals and drums to bring peace as well as to help the ghosts to go on their ways safely. These ceremonies are also meant for those homeless and hungry ghosts that have nobody to pray for them.

The climax of the month long festival is the burning of the effigy of the Deity “Da Shi Ye” or Guardian God of Ghosts.

Taoist priests chanting, while doing their
 intricate movments to bless the departed souls.



The priest's helper carrying the altar of
the departed to the paper boat so as to
send them on their ways back to the lower realm.



Family members being blessed by the
priests by circling the prayer area.

These roasted pigs were donated by
believers. In the background was the effigy
of the "Da She Ye".

Helpers helping to chop up and
distribute the roast pork to believers. 

Some of the paper horses offered to
 be burnt at the end of the festival.

One of the performers.

The priests were doing their final chanting of prayers.

All paper effigies, including the Diety "Da She Ye"
or God Of Ghost being burnt at the end of the festival.