Malaysia. A country where one can
experience a multitude of cultural celebrations and festivals, as well as, and
most importantly, good food all year
round.
Almost every month of the year, tourists
and locals alike immerse themselves in one celebration or another, thanks to
the diverse cultural practices we have.
Malaysia certainly has many colours which
make it appear lively and vibrant, each time you take a look. Perhaps it is the
only place in the world with numerous religious holidays on its calendar.
Nearly all religious festivals are
celebrated according to the lunar calendar, so the dates get changed every year.
So today, I’m glad to list down and tell the story about some of the major
celebrations and festivities that we have been go through every year.
Chinese New Year
This celebration is a very festive time for
Malay Chinese and is observed on the first day of the first moon on the Chinese
calendar. The date of this celebration will vary from year to year
depending on when this time falls on the lunar calendar and usually lasts for
about 15 days. Sometimes this event is in January, other times in
February, since it follows the lunar calendar, not the solar calendar. It
is celebrated with a traditional dinner on New Year's Eve and subsequently continues
with visits to family, friends and the honoring of the elderly. Packets
of money called ang pow are given away at this time as well.
Next is…. Thaipusam
It has been celebrated by the Tamil community, the manifestation of
Thaipusam is best witnessed at Batu Caves in Selangor, or in Penang. The
jaw-dropping sight of devotees carrying ornately decorated frames, better known
as kavadis, would stay with you long after you've experienced it; this unique
festival is a sight to behold.
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Thousands of the Hindus go to the Batu
Caves in order to participate in Thaipusam festival.
Hari Gawai and Wesak day
The Gawai Dayak is celebrated in Sarawak to
mark the end of the paddy harvesting season. It also marks the beginning of the
new planting season, and activities such as dancing, singing, and a
considerable amount of drinking tuak (rice wine) take place in the longhouses.
While for Wesak Day, is celebrated in May usually on Buddha's Birthday. It is considered to be the most important day
of the year for Buddhists. This day is celebrated with prayers and
incense at the temples with the main celebration being a lantern procession at
night. Wesak Day commemorates the three big events of Buddha's life - Birthday,
Enlightenment and Achievement of Nirvana. On the day, devotees assemble at the
temples to meditate on the eight precepts of Buddha.
Deepavali
Deepavali is an important Hindu festival
that celebrates the victory of good over evil, particularly that of Lord
Kirshna over a demon king (mythological). It is observed with prayers in
the morning, followed with visits to friends and relatives with delicacies
served. In the evening, lanterns are lit. Signifying the triumph of good
over evil, this is the major festival of
the Hindus. People light oil-lamps in their houses to mark the occasion. On the
festival eve, people perform rituals and prayers at their homes and temples.
After that is…Christmas
A religious festival to mark the birth of
Jesus Christ for Christians, Christmas in Malaysia is celebrated like
everywhere else in the world. However, Christmas is also viewed as a universal
celebration by others. In the typical style, homes are adorned with
decorations, colored lights accompanied by the Christmas tree. Amongst the
youngsters, caroling starts days before the big day to usher in the Yuletide
spirit. Like other festivals, 'open-house' is observed on the gazetted
holiday.
Our hystorical Day… actually change to
Independence Day
Independence Day (now known as National
Day) is August 31 and marks the time of Malaysia's independence. It is
observed with parades, exhibitions, shows and free film admission for children. Commemorating the
independence of the Federation of Malaya from the British in 1957, August 31
holds a special place in the hearts of all Malaysians. The biggest celebration
of the event takes place annually at Merdeka Square.
And last but not least, the one that I
cannot wait to celebrate is Hari Raya Aidilfitri!!!! For this one I would like
to explain more about the celebration..
It will be soon on this month, because
everyone of us who is Muslims is obliged to fast on the month of Ramadhan. So, Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Hari Raya Puasa marks the culmination of Ramadhan. Just like
the celebration Day of Fasting. There would be traditional Malay food such as
rendang, ketupat, and lemang. They are really mouth-watering food. We often
serve them for the guesses those who come to our houses. This is also a time to
forgive and forget past quarrels, where family members ask for forgiveness from
friends and others. It is a joyous and
important Muslim holiday that is celebrated throughout the Muslim world. It is a time for visiting the relatives
and friends, children also will get gifts or money, we call ‘duit raya’.. our
traditional culture..
Hari Raya Puasa commonly celebrated with
the prayer in the morning, on that blessed day also we would wear new, beautiful clothes and the house
is decorated enough to welcome anyone who would like to come and be the special
guess. Almost every Muslim people are very happy to celebrate it because for
this time, we could make family-gathering,
strengthen our bond of family members and meets with those people that
is long time we do not see them. The children also will take this chance
collecting ‘duit raya’ from house to another house and not forget to play the
‘bunga api’… it just like a fire splinter that would light up when we get touch
it with some fire, producing beautiful and colourful lights.. usually the kids play it at night.
However, this celebration is very important
and meaningful to us, it would be so terrible if we could not get the chance to
celebrate with our own family especially with our parents, celebrating with families, the feelings is
different.. it is more joyous and precious to celebrate with them.. rather than
others.. Last but not least, asking the
bless from our Lord is most important, it is a devine for those are successful
to fast full for one month and he did what
he supposed to do and left what are not supposed to do in Ramadhan.. below are some pictures about my family and my
friends celebrating Hari Raya last
year..
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