Evil spirits as traffic hazard

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33095, 9 December 1972, Page 11

Evil spirits as traffic hazard

(By

E. W. GORDON)

SINGAPORE. Everyone knows at least one “bad” corner on their local roads at which they habitually slow down, even if their thoughts are far from the braking pedaL If the comer is tricky enough it may begin to take on a character of its own. Remarks like "That comer catches them all,’’ or “One day that comer is going to get me” become common. Cautious drivers slow down more than is necessary in case the corner plays some unexpected trick, and the slightly inebriated dare the comer to do its worst by driving faster than they ought. Does all this mean that deep down in our unconscious we believe that an evil spirit may be waiting to ensnare us there, or is it just a verbal carry-over from our highly superstitious past? Many people would laugh at the evil spirit idea, but in some countries it would be regarded as quite valid. The Chinese are well known for their belief in an “other world” of spirits which must be taken into account if life is to be lived harmoniously. In Singapore recently a local newspaper reported that an evil spirit was believed to be causing a lot of traffic accidents at a comer of a busy Singapore highway. Dangerous bend Some of the residents of the area were reported to have thought, however, that the accidents were caused by the near 90 degree bend which was especially dangerous in wet weather. After the newspaper report, a letter to the editor was published thanking the paper for solving the problem of the accidents. The writer had been a resident of the area when the road was only a dirt track, and even then accidents had occurred at that particular comer, for reasons which the writer had, until now, been unable to fathom. The evil spirit explanation isn’t swallowed whole by everyone but many Singaporeans find the combined explanation of the evil spirit, plus the dangerous bend, quite feasible. Spirits are, after all, just part of life in Singapore and are consulted by many on everything from business deals to lucky numbers for the lottery. In August, the month when the spirits are thought to return to earth, numerous sticks of incense and bundles of paper money are burned in order to appease them and bring good luck during the coming year. Chinese opera is performed in the streets in August, the makeshift stage being moved from one street to the next every few days so good luck is brought to all. The children particularly love these shows and chatter throughout. Work stoppages When a factory is opened the blessings of the spirits are asked by the management, and many factories, markets and other work places hold dinners in August during which religious objects are auctioned. Spirits have on occasion caused work stoppages. A large hotel in Singapore recently had trouble getting workers to finish its top floors after a worker had

fallen from the scaffolding and been killed. It wasn’t the accident itself that caused the trouble but rather the belief among the workers that it had been caused by spirits. Belief in spirits has, at times, been so strong that whole communities have moved from their houses because of them. Only 20 years ago rivalry between two Chinese temples in Singapore gave rise to the rumour that one of the gods was displeased and would cause a great fire if he was not appeased. Two thousand families moved out of their homes and could only be coaxed back when the fire brigade had come and talked to them, explaining what to do in case of fire, and assuring them that the brigade was ready for any emergency. Not all vengeful Not all spirits are vengeful however. At times the affairs of the spirits, even including their marriages, are arranged by the living. In 1949 a 19-year-old boy died and his marriage to a dead girl was later arranged by his parents. During the ceremony paper replicas of all the things the relatives wanted the couple to have in the “otherworld” were burnt in the belief that they would be transported there through the alchemy of fire. The same practice is observed during funerals when replicas of all the dead man’s possessions are burnt so he will benefit from them in the “otherworld.” Although the younger generation may not treat the spirit world as seriously as their elders do, many of them would be more than happy to have paper money burnt at their funerals.