MY MALAYSIA

Once you have overcome your jet-lag fatigue, step into the real heart of Malaysia-the citizens of the country. You would be pleasantly surprised at the warmth of Malaysians. For deeply entrenched within each of the different race is the engaging charm and traditional hospitality which the country is renowned for.

Malaysians enjoy meeting people from other lands. So, do go right ahead and strike up a conversation. After all, the whole point of travelling is to know other cultures.

Festivals are joyful occasions in Malaysia. It is the time for family re-unions, rejoicing with friends and colleagues and to remind them of the religious significance each festival holds.

Festival in this country reflect the roots of the various races who are proud to be called Malaysians. Malaysians festivals are colourful, exciting and portray the spirit of unity and togetherness that the country is proud of despite each race practising their varied cultures and religions.

Religious Festivals

• Islamic Festival
  • The two most important festivals of the Islamic year are the Hari Raya Haji which marks the successful conclusion of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, and Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Hari Raya Puasa which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. Of these two occasions Hari Raya Haji probably is of greater religious significance, which is underlined by the fact that five of the states of the peninsular make it a two-day holiday. On both occasions the day starts with mass prayers in the mosques, followed by the provision of cakes and sweet meats in the homes; it is open house. But socially Hari Raya Puasa is a far greater occasion--the children wear new clothes, in fact everyone does and the home itself is redecorated and cleaned. Visiting other houses also takes place on a large scale. A moving part of Hari Raya Puasa is when, on return from the mosque, the children formally approach their parents and ask their forgiveness for their sins and omissions during the previous year.

    Another practice associated with Hari Raya Puasa but perhaps not of Islamic origin is that of putting up lights round the house for the seven days preceding the festival ; known as the Malam Tujuh Likur, the lights are there to welcome the angels who, so it is said, visit earth during this period. These displays of lights are very attractive, particularly in certain districts, and in Kuala Kangsar they provide the basis for a competition of the best display every year. Hari Raya Haji is a much quieter occasion. Of course the fasting month itself, though not a festive occasion, is of very great significance in the life of a Muslim and is marked by a number of religious observances including special prayers (sembahyang Tarawih) at night in the mosques. The birthday of the Prophet Muhammad is another important occasion, marked by special prayers and lectures in the mosques, processions and kenduris. The start of the Islamic New Year, now known as Maal Hijrah, is also a public holiday. The festival of Israk and Mikraj (the Prophet's ascension) is a purely religious one and is observed as a public holiday only in Kedah and Negeri Sembilan, while in Johor the start of the fasting month is a public holiday. Nuzul Quran is a public holiday in six states.

• Chinese Festival
  • To the Chinese, the most important festival is Chinese New Year which falls in either January or February. It is ushered in with burst of fire crackers at midnight on the eve of the Chinese Lunar Calendar.

• Buddhist Festival
  • Wesak Day (May 25), the most important day of the buddist Calendar as it marks the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. Buddhist devotees will gather in temples throughout the country to release doves and to offer prayers. Wesak is also an occasion to offer alms to monks.

• Hindu Festival
  • Deepavali or The Festival of Lights is celebrated during the 7th month of the Hindu calendar. Hindus celebrate it by adorning their homes with lights or oil lamps to signify the triumph of good over evil.

• Christian Festival
  • The spirit of Christmas is felt very much in Malaysia especially in hotels, department stores and in homes of Christians. Christmas trees, decorations, brilliant lights, Santa Claus and carols add to the festive air.

Other Festivals in Malaysia

• New Year's Eve
  • As in other countries throughout the world, New Years Eve is celebrated with much merrymaking at public squares, hotels and restaurants.
    The Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur is particularly a good place to join in revellers who gather at the square to usher in the new year.

• Kaamatan Festival in Sabah
  • The Kaamatan or Harvest Festival is celebrated by the Kadazans/Dusuns to thank for a bountiful harvest. Highlights include a beauty pageant, cultural dances and rituals culminating in the thanksgiving ceremony performed by the Bobohizan or high priestess.

• Gawai Festival in Sarawak (end May or early June)
  • The Ibans and Bidayuhs of Sarawak celebrate the end of padi harvesting season with much merry-making, dancing and the drinking of tuak, a potent rice wine.

    An interesting dance at the festival is the Ngajat Lesong. A dancer displays his strength and skill by lifting the lesong (the mortar where padi is pounded) with his teeth.

• Festival of San Pedro, Portuguese Settlement, Malacca (June 24-26)
  • A delightful cultural event to celebrate the birthday of the patron saint of fishermen, San Pedro. The fishing boats, which are colourfully decorated for the festival, are blessed and preyers offered for a better season.

• Flora Fest (July)
  • Malaysia, with all-year-round sunshine and high humidity, provides the ideal climatic conditions for a rich plant life, amongst them a profusion of flowering species.

    Every year, in July, the Flora Fest is held to celebrate the beauty of Malaysia's blooms through various floral-themed events and competitions.

    The week-long festival culminates in a spectacular Floral Parade whereby flower-bedecked animated floats will make their way through the main streets of Kuala Lumpur, accompanied by marching bands, equestrian units and dance troupes.

• Malaysia Fest(September)
  • Pesta Malaysia or Malaysia Fest is a two-week grandiose affair held in September every year. First held in 1987, it aims to create awareness and appreciation of Malaysian culture, craft and cuisine. All the thirteen states of Malaysia participate in the event which is held in Kuala Lumpur. Among the programmes and activities visitors can look forward to will be cultural shows, handicraft demonstrations, cuisine of the thirteen states, shopping complexes and hotels complete for awards in creative light decorations. The whole scene is one that will be etched in your mind for a long time. So, plan your holiday to coincide with this event!.

• Mooncake Festival(September)
  • The Mooncake Festival celebrates the overthrow of the Mongols during the end of the Yuan Dynasty (1206-1341AD) in China. It falls on the fifteenth day of the eighth moon (August/September). The festival is celebrated with colourful lantern processions on the night of the festival by the Chinese.