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Malaysia's Festivals, Celebrations and Public Holidays!
Malaysia is a land of diversity in ethnicity and culture. Its
demographic data reveals that its population comprises of 62% native
people called Bumiputeras, 24% Chinese, 8% Indians, and various other,
smaller minorities and expats. Islam is the pre-dominantly followed
religion in Malaysia but Malay culture also shows strong influences from
Hinduism, Buddhism and Animism. The diversity of festivals celebrated in
Malaysia reveals plurality in culture owing to the multi-ethnic and
multi-religious population of the country.
New Year's Day is a National Public Holiday in Malaysia and is usually
celebrated with fervor by the urban community throughout Malaysia. There
are lively parties, sporting events, exhibitions, competitions and
cultural performances on the occasion.
Hari Raya Aidil Fitri Hari Raya Puasa is celebrated on the first day of
the Muslim month of Syawal and is determined by the sighting of the new
moon. It culminates the pious month of Ramadhan - the tenth month of the
Muslim calendar. The morning prayers at mosques are followed by visits
to the graves of family members and later parties in the evening for
friends and relatives. Plenty of traditional Malay delicacies are served
on the occasion of these parties. This tradition is referred to as,
'open houses'. The enthusiasm is greater on the first three days and
celebrations continue for as long as a month marked by decoration and
lighting on government buildings and monuments.
Thaipusam is celebrated across Malaysia by Malaysian Hindus following
the tenth month of the Hindu calendar. Thaipusam is marked as a day for
atonement and is time for Hindu devotees to pray to Lord Muruga, also
known as Lord Subramaniam. Religious enthusiasts display devotion during
the festival by carrying kavadis up the hill to the Batu Caves in
Selangor. Kavadi is a frame decorated with fresh flowers, colored
papers, and fruits as a form of sacrament.
Chinese New Year, the most significant festival of the Chinese community
in Malaysia, is celebrated for over 15 days, starting from the first day
of the Chinese Lunar Calendar. Each year is denoted by one of the 12
animals as depicted by the Chinese Zodiac. Chinese New Year is marked by
the color red and it is displayed vividly as mark of 'prosperity' and
'luck' in all homes. Family gatherings, consumption of delicacies
especially the mandarin orange (the symbol of prosperity), fire crackers
at midnight, distribution of Ang Pows (red packets with money) to
singles are the traditions followed on this auspicious day. Offerings
are also made to please gods and spirits. The traditional lion dance is
performed on the occasion of Chinese New Year too, amidst the banging of
drums and gongs.
Chinese New Year in Kuala Lumpur
Wesak Day is celebrated by Buddhists around May and is marked by three
events in Buddha's life. Wesak Day is the celebration of Buddha’s
birthday, enlightenment, and attainment of Nirvana. The devotees gather
at the temples to meditate on the Eight Precepts, which is followed by
'Bathing the Buddha' ceremony. Donations, offerings of flowers,
releasing of pigeons, ordination of monks, chanting and praying are all
significant parts of the Wesak celebration in temples. At night,
processions parade the streets.
Gawai Dayak is celebrated on the1st of June in Sarawak. This is actually
a form of thanksgiving to the gods for a good harvest celebrated by
Dayaks, a Sarwak community. Homes are cleaned thoroughly and ancestor’s
graves are attended to. There are parties, games, processions, singing,
dancing and drinking of tuak and rice wine etc. A family dinner reunion
is made special by the tradition in which the youngest family member
offers foods that are specially prepared to the parents. To ensure a
good harvest the following season, livestock is also sacrificed. Tadau
Kaamatan is another harvest festival celebrated by the Kadazan, Dusun
and Murut tribes of Sabah in May.
Hungry Ghost Festival is celebrated by Buddhists and Taoists on the 15th
day of the seventh lunar month, in which Chinese families burn houses
made from paper so that their relatives who have passed away can live
contentedly in the other world. Ceremonies of religious nature are held
at temples on this occasion.
The Lantern & Mooncake Festival or Tang Lung symbolises a simple
celebration of shared prosperity and peace. Malaysians celebrate this
festival by hanging colorful lanterns on their houses and enjoying
different types of mooncakes. Mooncakes are rounded pastries that are
filled with either salted egg yolk, lotus nut paste or sweet red bean
paste. There are lantern processions also.
Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated in Malaysia by the
Hindu community on the 7th month of the Hindu calendar. Deepavali is the
celebration of good over evil. People take oil baths, don new clothes
and visit temples. Homes are lit with vikku or oil lamps. Hindus
celebrate and feast plenty on the occasion.
Christmas is also celebrated in Malaysia and is marked by decorating
Christmas trees in houses, attending church services and caroling. Open
Houses ceremonies at Christian homes are also commonplace. Roasted
turkey, vegtables and drinks are served at Christmas parties.
Pesta Kaamatan, Regatta Lepa Semporna, Pesta Jagung, Pesta Rumbia (Sago
Festival) and Pesta Kelapa among other festivals are also celebrated by
the various communities of Malaysia.
Photo Credits: jenniferphoon
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