The E-Sylum:  Volume 11, Number 1, January 6, 2008, Article 20

RAISING HELL: PRICE OF HELL MONEY HAS GONE UP

Michael Sullivan writes: "I thought your E-Sylum readers
would be interested in this article from the New Straits
Times, Aug. 20, 2007:

 “Paying More for ‘Hell’ Currency” by Sim Bak Heng

 Johor Baru (Malaysia):  Currency appreciation is not
 restricted to this world.  It happens in the netherworld
 as well.

 Since July 1, the value of “hell” currency has gone up.
 And people have had to fork out up to 20 percent more to
 buy the paper money commonly burned as an offering to the
 dead during the Hungry Ghost Festival which began last
 Monday.

 But this is not all.  The prices of joss sticks, candles
 and the paper items such as cards, planes, houses and
 servants traditionally offered, have also gone up by 10
 to 25 percent.

 The Malaysia Worship Items Dealers Association said the
 higher prices for these items, mostly imported from China,
 was inevitable because of the appreciation of the yuan
 and the withdrawal of subsidies for the manufacturing
 in China.

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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