Fun and festivities in Malaysia - celebrations, festivals and cultural events

The main things that define Malaysian culture are food, holidays, and festivals. Malays celebrate various holidays combining different nationalities, religions, and cultural traditions. The concept of "open house" is unique in Malaysia. Its essence lies in the fact that friends, families, and even strangers visiting the homes of those who celebrate or perform rituals during various cultural, religious folk festivals such as Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Puasa, Deepavali, and Christmas. People come to enjoy the holiday prepared by their hosts and wish them well.

Hindus celebrate Thaipusam in the tenth month of the Hindu lunar calendar. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mainly by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month (January and February). The festival commemorates the birthday of Murugan (also Subramanyam), the youngest son of the God Shiva and his wife Parvati, and a mythological event: Parvati gave Murugan (the Tamil God of War) a spear so that he could defeat the evil demon Surupadman. The celebration is accompanied by some strange and violent Tamil rituals.

The lunar New Year highlights some of the most interesting aspects of Chinese traditions and rituals. It is mostly celebrated by the Chinese community in Malaysia. The event is usually known as the time of family reunions, the launch of firecrackers, the lion dance, the distribution and collection of "Ang Pao" (red bags with money in them). The festival, which once also marked the beginning of spring in China, begins on the first day of the lunar calendar year (the beginning of the new moon). It ends on the 15th day, known as the Chap Goh Meh. You can meet whole families on the streets. New Year’s menu is usually served in local restaurants. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Eid al-Fitr is the most significant event for Muslims. It marks the end of the Holy month of Ramadan. The word "Hari Raya" means the day of celebration in Malay. This holiday is known as Hari Raya the Poisson or Hari Raya Aidilfitri. It is defined by the fact that the new moon is celebrated on the eve of a new month in the Muslim calendar. Muslim families gather together to honor the saints and pay tribute to their ancestors. Alcoholic beverages are not sold in most catering establishments. But this does not apply to tourist places and hotels where foreigners stay.

The celebration of unity is held in the Batu Caves. The Hindu community joins together to celebrate the event against the backdrop of the stunning Batu Caves. This is a phenomenal opportunity to feel the atmosphere and energy of the event. Travelers will be able to learn more about Muslim traditions during Ramadan. Morning prayers in mosques are accompanied by visits to the graves of family members. Muslims spend their evenings with friends and relatives. Eating is prohibited during daylight hours. Therefore, many traditional Malay delicacies are served at these evenings. This tradition attracts travelers from other countries. The main festive events last for three days after the end of Ramadan. The celebrations continue for a month after that. Local residents decorate and light government buildings and monuments.

Vesak Day is celebrated by Buddhists in May. It marks three events in the life of the Buddha. Day of Vesak is celebrating Buddha's birthday, enlightenment, and achievement of Nirvana. Devotees gather in temples to meditate on the eight precepts. The "bathing of the Buddha" ceremony takes place after this. Donations, flower offerings, the release of doves, the ordination of monks, chanting, and prayer are important parts of the celebration of Vesak in temples. Processions are held in the streets at night. Tourists can learn more about Buddhist traditions by visiting ancient temples.

Gawai Dayak is celebrated in Sarawak on June 1. This is a form of giving thanks to the gods for a good harvest. It is celebrated by the Dayak people, the Sarvak community. Houses are carefully cleaned. Relatives visit and clean the graves of their ancestors. There are parties, games, processions, accompanied by singing, dancing, and drinking rice wine from tuak. Traditionally, the youngest member of the family offers dishes specially cooked for the parents during the family dinner. Cattle are sacrificed to ensure a good harvest in the next season. Tadau Kaamatan is another harvest celebration. It is celebrated by the Sabah, Kadazan, Dusun, and Marut tribes in May.

Chinese families celebrate the Hungry Ghost Festival. It is believed that the spirits of the dead return from the lower world on this day. Chinese families prepare ritual dishes, burn incense, burn special ritual paper and various symbolic objects that their ancestors can use in the afterlife.

The Lantern & Mooncake festival or Tang Lung symbolizes a simple celebration of shared prosperity and peace. Malaysians mark the day by decorating homes with colorful lanterns and enjoying various types of Mooncakes, round pastries filled with salted egg yolk, coconut paste or sweet red bean paste. There are also lantern processions.