OCTOBER 22 — So, we’re into the festive season. Of course, in this part of the world we see some festival or other every few weeks or so but the end of the year definitely sees a peak.
We just had the Mid-autumn Festival and Deepavali, with Christmas and New Year to follow. We are basically partying from October to January.
This is entirely a good thing; these festivals are a good antidote to the rush and stresses of modern life, offering a timeout to spend with friends and family.
But some of the highlights in this month’s calendar are less indigenous — Thanksgiving (celebrated by a few outliers in Asia) and Halloween.
Strange to be sitting in tropical Asia within an HDB block and trying to mimic the pageantry of North America but since so many of us persist, I think it is time we re-invented it.
Why be a witch or a wizard when you can be a pontianak or pelesit? This part of the world is rife with hantu stories and the culture is so deeply committed to myths and superstitions.
As a testament to how deeply ingrained our obsession with the occult is, so many conversations with friends and family tend to veer into discussions on demonology. If a person is behaving a little out of character — chances are your peers will speculate possession over petulance.
I am often surprised to see so few Asian ghosts roaming the streets come October 31.
So, to help add a bit of Malayan magic to an ang-moh holiday, here are three great ideas for a costume that is equal parts horror and hilarious.
1. Jiangshi (Chinese “hopping” vampire)
This is a classic option. Every Singaporean or Malaysian who was alive in the 70s and 80s would have seen this character (who is more punchline than poltergeist) hopping across the screen in an incredibly inefficient mode of movement for a spirit from the underworld but it sure is distinct.
You can hop towards inebriation, stopping only when the bartender slaps the bill upon your forehead.
2. Toyol
This one is terrifying. A friend shared an anecdote about a child who often saw his deceased grandparents in his dreams as extremely tiny people and these mini versions of his grandfather and grandmother were constantly egging him on to engage in all sorts of mischief — leaving his parents to conclude the little gnomes were toyols.
From its origins (embalming an aborted foetus) to its supposed appearance (a newborn baby walking naked with a big head, small hands, clouded eyes and usually greenish skin) it is a little tough to conceptualise as a costume though.
3. Ravana
Having just celebrated Deepavali, this one will get points for being timely. The demon king of Sri Lanka is a key figure in one of the major Hindu myths (the very one that underpins the festival of lights) and while modern retellings cast him as more protagonist than antagonist — no one can dispute that his ancient royalty garb is stunning and sure to get heads turning.
* This is the personal opinion of the columnist.
