Malaysia Festival | Malaysia Culture | Chinese Culture | Indian Culture | Malay Culture

Malaysia culture is a mixture of Malay, Chinese, Indian & various. The different races have their own traditions festival and culture which gives Malaysia a colourful festival, cultures & celebrations. Malaysia has a population of about 25 million. It is a country of multi-ethnic society practising multi-culturalism and multi-religion. Malaysia is a land of many colourful festivals, cultures and celebrations. The different races have their own traditions and customs which gives Malaysia a colourful heritage. The important festivals of each race is a public holiday in the country (so there are a lot of public holidays here!) and celebrated by all regardless of race and beliefs. All celebrate different times of the year with vibrant festivals, traditional dances and dramas.Composed primarily of Malays, Chinese and Indians, Malaysia culture is best described as cosmopolitan. Racial unity and interaction has formed a diverse and vibrant society that is exceptionally unique. Nowhere else in the world can one find three major races, various smaller indigenous tribes and a vast assortment of foreigners and expatriates sharing such an excellent relationship, for not only do these races tolerate each other, they actually actively share in one other's cultural richness. This has been the main catalyst for Malaysia's political stability and growth.

Date varies each year as each festival is based on their own calendar systems. Don’t forget book your Malaysia tour far ahead of time.

ChineseCulture

Chinese New Year is the most important annual festival of the Chinese community and it lasts for a full two weeks, beginning from the first day of the Chinese Lunar Calendar. Legend has it, Buddha invited all animals to his kingdom but only 12 attended. With that, Buddha dedicated a year to each animal. Each year is named after one of the 12 animals according to the Chinese Zodiac. Chinese New Year is celebrated with abundance of delicacies, on Chinese New Year eve is the time for family reunion when members of the family from different parts of the country get together & the lighting of fire crackers at midnight. It is the time when offerings are made to appease the spirits and gods. Houses are cleaned and decorated to prepare for the big day. New clothes are bought and worn. The colour red is vividly displayed in many homes for 'prosperity' and 'luck'. Ang Pows or red packets of money are given to the young and unmarried while the symbol of prosperity, the mandarin orange, is liberally consumed. Open house" concept is practiced almost all the festivals, which means inviting relatives and friends to partake in the food and festivity occasion.

The most common festive greetings for Chinese New Year are:
"Gong Xi Fa Cai" - Have a prosperous new year
"Zhu Ni Nian Nian You Yu" - Wishing you an abundant year
"Sing Nian Kuay Le" - Happy New Year.

The traditional dragon and lion dances herald in the new year, amidst banging gongs and drums.

Wesak Day celebrated around May by Buddhists which marks three momentous events in Buddha's life - his birthday, enlightenment, and achievement of Nirvana. As the most important figure in Buddhism his life is celebrated and revered. The celebration begins at dawn when devotees gathering at the temples to meditate on the Eight Precepts. The 'Bathing the Buddha' ceremony is often part of Wesak celebrations. Water is poured over the shoulders of the Buddha and serves as a reminder to purify the mind from evil. Donations, giving food to the needy, offerings of incense, joss sticks releasing of pigeons, ordination of monks and the offering of flowers normally takes place in temples. Chanting and praying are an important part of the Wesak celebration. At night, processions of floats parade the streets, with devotees carrying candles.

Dragon Boat Festival (also known as Tuen Ng Festival) falls on the 5th of May of the Chinese Lunar Calendar, commemorates the death of a popular Chinese national hero, Qu Yuan, who drowned himself in the Mi Lo River over 2,000 years ago to protest against the corrupt rulers. Legend says that as townspeople attempted to rescue him, they beat drums to scare fish away and threw dumplings (rice-and-meat wrapped in bamboo leaves) into the sea to keep the fish from eating Qu Yuan's body.

The real highlight of the festival is the fierce dragon boats racing in a lively, vibrant spectacle. Teams race the elaborately decorated dragon boats to the beat of heavy drums. The special boats, which measure more than 10 metres, have ornately carved and painted "dragon" heads and tails, and each carries a crew of 20-22 paddlers. Participants train in earnest for the competition. Sitting two abreast, with a steersman at the back and a drummer at the front, the paddlers race to reach the finishing line, urged on by the pounding drums and the roar of the crowds.

Much like Western culture's Halloween, the ‘Hungry Ghost festival’ is for the Chinese. For those who have never heard of this festival, here are the essential ‘spooky’ facts on this festival. Hungry Ghost festival is a popular occasion that is taken very seriously by the Chinese. This festival is celebrate every year in August (on the seventh month in the Chinese Lunar calendar). The Chinese community in Malaysia celebrates the release of spirits from purgatory. It is believed that the gates of hell are thrown open until 30th day of the month, releasing hungry ghosts to wander the earth in search of food and taking revenge upon those who wronged them in life. The reason why the Chinese celebrate this festival is to remember their dead family members and pay tribute to them. They also feel that offering food to the deceased appeases them and wards off bad luck.



Bowls of noodles, sweetmeats, cakes, chickens, roasted pigs and wine, they are displayed on huge platforms and other treats are left in public places. Sacrificial offerings are made by burning hell money, multi-coloured joss-sticks, joss-paper, paper clothes and even paper television or radio sets. Some families also burn paper houses & cars to give to their dead relatives by the roadside to assuage the hunger of the ghost and gain their gratitude. The Chinese feel that these offerings reach the ghosts and help them live comfortably in their world.



These gifts are placed in front of a paper effigy of Phor Thor Kong (God of Hell). According to Chinese mythology, the Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin) created the Phor Thor Kong to protect the mortals against the harmful spirits during the Hungry Ghost Festival. 'He' is a guest of honour during the festival. A makeshift shed houses a Chinese traditional opera which entertains the God of Hell and the roaming spirits.

In addition to edible goodies, street corners positively buzz with Chinese Opera stage shows and even puppet shows. These events are always held at night. There is a belief that this entertainment would please those wandering ghosts. These performances are more rampant in towns and villages that are more Chinese (as in race) dominated, like in Penang, Perak, Malacca etc.
An interesting superstition, during the Hungry Ghost Math, children and young toddlers are kept inside, especially at night for fear of them being led away by the Hungry Ghost. Having a wedding or moving house is considered bad luck. In addition to this going to swimming and beach is discourage because many tragedies have taken place in the sea and evil ghost might be eager to take more lives. This belief is due to the reason that the wandering ghosts might possess children.

On the last day of the seventh lunar month is the last day of the festival. At midnight, the effigy of Phor Thor Kong, paper offerings and other goods are burnt in a giant bonfire as a final gift marking the return of the spirits to hell and the gates are shut after them, as the Chinese believe that the ghosts return back to where they come from.

THE Mooncake Festival (is a historical festival rather than a religious one) , also known as Mid-Autumn Festival, falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month which is Sept 24, 2008. Historically, it was a harvest festival for farmers but traditionally, womenfolk worshipped Chang-Er, the moon goddess.
Mooncakes are also known as “reunion cakes'’ as family members gather to partake of the sweet confectionery. On this family occasion, parents allow children to stay up late and take them to high vantage points such as The Peak to light their lanterns and watch the huge autumn moon rise while eating their moon cakes. Public parks are ablaze with many thousands of lanterns in all colours, sizes and shapes.
In the evenings, children gleefully carry lanterns of all shapes and sizes. Altars are set up outside the house facing the full moon on the night of the festival. The ``harvest moon'' is at its brightest and roundest this time of the year. Offerings of mooncakes, mini yams and water caltrops are laid out for Chang-Er, also known as the Moon Lady. Round fruits are offered as the shape symbolises the fullness of the moon and family harmony. Some women peel pomelos and mini yams in the belief that they will have a flawless complexion. Others pray to the moon goddess hoping to be blessed with good husbands.

The classic tale of Chang-Er, the beautiful moon goddess, is associated with the Mooncake Festival. Pictures of her in a flown gown floating to the moon commonly adorn mooncake boxes.
Folklore has it that she was married to the divine archer Hou Yi, who shot nine out of 10 suns that were causing havoc. For his deed, the Queen Mother of the West gave him the elixir of life. Chang-Er stole her husband's potion of immortality, drank it and found herself floating to the moon. There she lives out her days in the cold lonely moon palace with a furry rabbit for companion.
Another myth tells of woodcutter Wu Gang who was banished to the moon and became Chang-Er's friend and servant. The Jade Emperor punished Wu Gang by ordering him to cut down a cassia tree. It was a task that could never be completed as the tree is immortal and would grow back each time it is felled.

The Nine Emperor Gods (九皇爺) also known as Vegetarian Festival falls on the ninth day of the ninth moon in the Chinese lunar calendar. Is a festival to celebrate the return from heaven to earth of the Nine Emperor spirits, who are worshiped as one known as Mazu (Chinese: 妈祖/天后), the goddess of the sea and queen of heaven who represents health, wealth and prosperity. Devotees flock to the temples throughout the country for this religious festival.
The Nine Emperor Gods are part of a spirit-medium cult known locally as ‘Jieu Hwang Yeh’. These Nine Deities are believed to dwell in the stars in heaven under the reign of Mazu - the Queen of Heaven.To be able to participate in the events, one must have No Meat, Smoke, Alcohol and Sex for 10 days, to be Cleaned from dirty sins. On the eve of the ninth moon, temples of the deities hold a ceremony to invoke and welcome the nine emperors. Since the arrival of the gods are believed to be through the waterways, processions are held from temples to the sea-shore or river to symbolize this belief. Devotees dressed in traditional white, carrying incense and candles, await the arrival of their excellencies.

A carnival-like atmosphere pervades the temple throughout the nine-day festival. During this period of time, the constant tinkling of a prayer bell and chants from the temple priests are heard. Most devotees stay at the temple, take vegetarian meals and recite continuous chanting of prayer. It is believed that there will be rain throughout the nine days of celebration. A procession to send the Nine Emperor Gods home then takes place to complete the rites of this religious festival. Among other self-flagellation, walking on hot coals and bathing in hot oil. Many of them flow into the trance, some to such an extent that one of the Festival nights easily climbing on the ladder with sharp blades instead of steps, not leaving them no drop of blood.

IndianCulture

Thaipusam celebrated throughout Malaysia by Hindus on the tenth month of the Hindu calendar. Thaipusam is a day for penance and atonement among the Hindu community. Thaipusam an extraordinary festival, is a time for Hindu devotees to fulfil a vow they have made to the Lord Muruga or Lord Subramaniam. Every year, on Thaipusam, as many as 800,000 devotees and other visitors may throng the batu caves in Selangor.

The displays of devotion are varied, but the most devout prepare themselves for weeks, purifying themselves by fasting and celibacy. As a form of penance or sacrifice, many of them carry kavadis (literally, “burden,” such as a pitcher or jug). These are large, brightly decorated frameworks, usually combined with various metal hooks and skewers which are used to pierce the skin, cheeks and tongue. By doing this penance they expect some favours from their Gods. They move through the town up the hill to the caves with the kadavis tearing at their flesh, but without appearing to feel any pain. Kuala Lumpur is probably the best place to enjoy this colourful and fascinating festival as this is where Lord Muruga's jeweled chariot is led through the streets of the city, culminating at the Batu Caves in Selangor.

In the island of Penang in northwestern Peninsular Malaysia, the chariot there continued to be pulled by the bulls. Many in the island's large ethnic-Chinese community also take part in the festivial. Hundreds break coconuts and offer fruits to the God all along the chariot's meandering route.

Deepavali is celebrated during the 7th month of the Hindu calendar. It is also know as the Festival of Lights. Homes of Hindus are lit with oil lamp, called vikku to signify the victory over darkness for the Hindus believe that this is the day when the forces of good overcame the forces of evil. This is believed to invite Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth who will not enter an unlit house.

Traditional oil baths are taken in the early hours of the morning, before donning new clothes and paying a visit to the temple. For some it is a symbolic affair (to signify purity) while others take full oil baths to remove impurities externally, as well as tone the muscles and nerves to receive positive energies. Then it's straight to the temples where prayers are held in accordance with the ceremonial rites. As with all open houses in Malaysia, friends join in the celebrations by visiting the homes of Hindu friends and relatives to extend good wishes and to partake in the feasting and jollity.

MalayCulture
After a month of fasting during the month of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate the first day of Syawal which is the tenth month of the Muslim calendar with joyous enthusiasm. This is a major festival for Muslims. The celebration is determined by sighting of the new moon. After morning prayers at the mosque followed by visits to the graves of family members to pay respects. Open house or invitation for relatives and friends to come to their house is practiced. Plenty of traditional Malay delicacies are served during this festive season. Houses are thoroughly cleaned and decorated with the lighting of oil lamps to welcome the angels which is believed to be visiting the earth during the seven days preceding the festival. The celebration lasts for a month which the celebration is concentrated in the first three days.



It is customary for Malays to wear traditional Malay costumes. The dress for men is called baju Melayu while the women's are known as baju kurung and baju kebaya. Traditional textiles such as songket and batik are worn favourably during this day.