An Argument for Chinese Folk Religion Who needs these clockwork certainties which sugar-cane-press green gleaming souls to force from fibres the sweet juice of guilt? Who needs soul-butter and shame and rock concerts hymned everlastingly to the blackmailing father above? Why not — the mixed-up shifting deities with animal and androgynous masks who examine no exact intentions: businesslike they consider — and inhale. Because — your fathers worshipped them when miles from home they pondered uncomprehending the rains, the pale princes, the frowning arcs of trees and huddled blood-vow-bound in attap temples. Therefore — trade joss and roast duck for fortune-eased life lion dance away last year’s bad luck tuck the talisman behind clear plastic and never forget to ask for numbers. - Daryl Wei Jie Lim is first and foremost a Singaporean. He read history at the University of Oxford, and has a Masters in Political Thought and Intellectual History from the University of Cambridge. His work has appeared in Ceriph, QLRS and Wallflowers. He is particularly interested in the literary uses of history.
Posted on: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 16:19:38 +0000