MALAYSIA — A man and two women in Malaysia found themselves the subject of criticism after a video of them dancing in front of a grave during the Qing Ming Festival went viral online.

Qing Ming, also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, is a festival where families from the Chinese community gather to honour their ancestors by cleaning the graves of the departed and making offerings. While most people offer prayers, food and tea, the three people in the video decided to offer up a performance instead.

In a Facebook video titled “Young people go tomb sweeping”, the three people who appear to be in their 20s or 30s are seen dancing among tombstones to the tune of the song Chou Xing Zhi by Malaysian YouTubers Steady Gang.

Despite some lack of coordination, the trio — dressed in T-shirts and shorts — appear to be enjoying themselves while an older woman behind them looked on in amusement.

It is unclear whether the grave the trio shimmied and twirled in front of belonged to someone they know. The location of the cemetery was also not disclosed.

As of Friday (April 5) afternoon, the video has racked up more than 1.3 million views and 930 comments since it was shared by Facebook user Ryan Shoo last Sunday.

Mr Shoo remarked in the video’s caption: “Times have changed.”

‘TIMES HAVE CHANGED, NOT TRADITIONS’

Many online users did not seem at all entertained by the group’s antics and expressed disapproval over what they deemed to be “disrespectful” behaviour.

One Facebook user commented: “Young people these days. No respect for their ancestors. It’s too much.”

Another pointed out: “Yes, times have changed but not traditions. Do they even know what it means to visit the ancestors’ graves? Don’t call me old school.”

Someone else wrote: “Qing Ming is meant for remembering the dead, not for you to perform a show. Respect the place.”

On the flip side, some social media users felt that the naysayers were overreacting and did not see the harm in letting the individuals have some fun.

One argued: “Actually, if they were dancing at the tombstone of their relative, I think there is no issue. After all, it is their own relative and if they think it is okay, then other people have no say.”

Another looked at things positively: “At least these young people are still going to sweep the tombs and dancing for their ancestors to see. Many young people don’t even attend Qing Ming anymore. We should be grateful.”

Yet another said: “Internet users are making a fuss over nothing. If our ancestors in the underworld can see how happy they are, they would be happy, too.”