CULTURE IN MALAYSIA

CULTURE M A L A Y | C H I N E S E | I N D I A N LET’S LOOK FOR THE UNIQUENESS OF MALAYSIAN CULTURE NO CULTURECAN LIVEIFIT ATTEMPTS TO BE EXCLUSIVE 20 23 DECEMBER

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION CELEBRATION TRADITIONAL CLOTHING LANGUAGE RELIGIONS TRADITIONAL FOOD 02 06 09 04 07 11 ICONIC DANCE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT 17 15 GAME REFERENCES 20 19 02 05 RACE

Malaysia is an incredibly diverse country, containing many different ethnicities, languages and religions. People from each ethnicity have generally retained their ancestors’ cultural customs. As a result, Malaysian society accommodates a rich variety of lifestyles, beliefs and values. The following information describes general Malaysian culture, tending to reflect the Malay majority; however, there are many divergences from this cultural mainstream throughout the country. Learning as much as possible about your Malaysian counterparts' home region, ethnicity and religion beforehand can help you develop respectful relationships with them. INTRODUCTION 03

Malaysian Chinese, are Malaysian citizens of Han Chinese ethnicity. They’re considered as the second largest ethnic group passing the Malay majority and are 22.8% of the Malaysian population. There are ethnic subgroups of Chinese people in Malaysia which include the Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, Hakka, Hainan, Fuzhou and Kwongsai. Most Malaysian Chinese have been maintaining their Chinese heritage, including their diverse mother tongues. Race 4 Race refers to the idea that the human species is divided into distinct groups based on inherited physical and behavioral differences. It is based on physical characteristics that they are perceived to share such as skin color, and eye shape. Other than that, it also refers to groups of people who have different cultural, historical, language, religious, and genetic backgrounds. These groups are mostly differentiated based on factors such as geographic origin, cultural heritage, and collective identity. In conclusion, each race has unique characteristics that distinguish it from other groups. Chinese Indian Malaysian Malays are an Austronesian ethnoreligious group native to eastern Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula, and coastal Borneo, as well as the smaller islands that are between today part of the countries of Malaysia, Indonesia (eastern and southern Sumatra, Bangka Belitung Islands, West Kalimantan, and Riau Islands), the southern part of Thailand (Pattani, Satun, Songkhla, Yala, and Narathiwat), Singapore and Brunei Darussalam. The Malay population is descended primarily from the earlier Malayic-speaking Austronesians and Austroasiatic tribes that founded several ancient maritime trading states and kingdoms. Malaysian Indians are Malaysian citizens of Indian or South Asian ancestry. They now form the third-largest group in Malaysia, after the Malays and the Chinese. Most of them are ethnic Tamils which have smaller groups include the Malayalees, Telugus, Punjabis, and Gujaratis. The Malaysian Indians population is notable for its class stratification, with a significant elite and a large low income group within its fold. 04

Tamil is an older language than Sanskrit. Records of the Tamil language date to the third century BCE and records of the Sanskrit language date to the second century BCE. Tamil is still in everyday use today, but Sanskrit died out around 600 BCE and is used for mainly religious and literature purposes today. Tamil is one of the oldest living languages in the world, with a recorded history that dates back over 2,000 years. The oldest known written records of Tamil date back to the 3rd century BCE, with the language continuing to evolve and develop over the centuries. Malay language, member of the Western, or Indonesian, branch of the Austronesian (MalayoPolynesian) language family, spoken as a native language by more than 33,000,000 persons distributed over the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, and the numerous smaller islands of the area, and widely used in Malaysia and Indonesia Malay historical linguists agree on the likelihood of the Malayic homeland being in western Borneo. A form known as ProtoMalayic was spoken in Borneo at least by 1000 BCE, it has been argued to be the ancestral language of all subsequent Malayic languages. Since the late 19th century the official language of China has been Standard Chinese, otherwise known as “common speech.” Standard Chinese is just one of Mandarin's many dialects, but probably the most important given it's also the official language of Taiwan, one of four in Singapore, and one of the six in the United 19 Apr 2019. The Chinese language is the oldest written language in the world with at least six thousand years of history. Chinese character inscriptions have been found in turtle shells dating back to the Shang dynasty1 (1766- 1123 BC) proving the written language has existed for more than 3,000 years. Tamil is part of the Dravidian language family, spoken mainly in southern India with 60 million speakers, and 68 million speakers worldwide. The Dravidian languages with the most speakers are Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam, its closest neighbour. Some interesting facts about China are: The capital of China has the second busiest airport in the world, Beijing International Capital Airport. Only one party rules in China, the Chinese Communist Party. China is the most populated country in the world. MELAYU LANGUANGE TAMIL LANGUANGE CHINESS LANGUANGE Introduce of 3 Languange in Malaysia 05

CHINESE NEW YEAR 3 CELEBRATION INMALAYSIA EID AL-FITR DEEPAVALI 06

RELIGIONS Religion is a set of organized beliefs, practices, and systems that most often relate to the belief and worship of a controlling force, such as a personal god or another supernatural being Religion often involves cultural beliefs, worldviews, texts, prophecies, revelations, and morals that have spiritual meaning to members of the particular faith, and it can encompass a range of practices, including sermons, rituals, prayer, meditation, holy places, symbols, trances, and feasts. ISLAM Islam is the official religion of Malaysia and has the largest following among the population. Islam was first introduced to the region of present-day Malaysia by Arab and Indian traders and merchants from the 10th century through to the 15th century. The spread and influence of Islam mainly occurred with the conversion (rather than conquest) of local chieftains and rulers, which was followed by other members of the population. Since the Malacca Sultanate (15th century), Islam as been the most widely followed religion. Today, nearly two-thirds of Malaysia’s population (61.3%) identify as Muslim. Most are Sunni and follow the Shafi’i school of thought and law. The influence of Islam in Malaysian is evident in various aspects of society and culture. For instance, this is visible in the media (with daily reminders of prayer during television programs), the provision of prayer rooms in buildings, emphasis on halal in food preparation and consumption, as well as the application of Muslim norms and practices in medical, educational and financial institutions. Many Muslim festivities and events are also national holidays, such as the end of Ramadan, the end of hajj and the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. NATIONAL MOSQUE 07

Most Buddhists in Malaysia come from the Chinese community. As many combines Buddhism with Taoism or some with Confucianism, it puts Buddhism as the second largest in terms of population after Islam. Like many other countries, Buddhism was brought into Malaysia by the Indian traders and priests. This was then part of other traits like arts and government that was brought into the Malay Peninsula. As such, there is still very strong influence of Indian culture to present day. It was only later during the 15th century that the kings converted to Islam that shaped the religion today. BUDDHA Buddhism in Malaysia is practiced in several languages including English Language, Bahasa Malaysia, Indian, Mandarin and Thai, among others. Most of them practices the Mahayana Buddhism which is predominantly Chinese. Others practices the Theravada Buddhism which is common among Thais and Sri Lanka. WAT KOH WANARAM TEMPLE HINDUS The majority of the Tamils who make up 9% of Malaysia's population practice Hinduism. Hinduism was influential prior to Islam, but current adherents are mostly descended from migrant communities from Tamil Nadu who came to Malaya to work on British rubber plantations. A small community of migrants from North India also exists. Urban temples are often dedicated to a single deity, while rural temples are often home to many different deities. Most were brought with immigrants. Most temples follow the Saivite tradition from Southern India, for the worship of Shiva. The Hindu holiday of Thaipusam and Deepavali is a national holiday.[19] This shift to multi-deity temples occurred beginning in the 1980s, often alongside the rebuilding and expansion of existing temples. More complex worship rituals were developed to accommodate this shift. BATU CAVES 08

9 WH Y D O MALAYS IA N S WEA R T R A D I T I O N AL CL O T H ES ? WH Y D O MALAYS IA N S WEA R T R A D I T I O N AL CL O T H ES ? T traditional clothes among Malaysians represent a cultural symbol of a society. In Malaysia, There are three dominant cultures such as Malay, Chinese and Indians. Besides that, Malaysia represents a multicultural nation that has its traditional clothing. Traditional clothing is much more than just fabric and thread — it’s a reflection of a community’s history, identity, and values. When people wear traditional clothing, they often feel a deep sense of emotional and cultural connection. By exploring the beauty and significance of traditional clothing from around the world, we can gain a better understanding of the diversity and richness of human culture. traditional clothes among Malaysians represent a cultural symbol of a society. In Malaysia, There are three dominant cultures such as Malay, Chinese and Indians. Besides that, Malaysia represents a multicultural nation that has its traditional clothing. Traditional clothing is much more than just fabric and thread — it’s a reflection of a community’s history, identity, and values. When people wear traditional clothing, they often feel a deep sense of emotional and cultural connection. By exploring the beauty and significance of traditional clothing from around the world, we can gain a better understanding of the diversity and richness of human culture. The main communities of Malaysia are Malay, Chinese and Indian, each of which has its own traditional clothes. Most Malaysians dress like westerners. It is mostly on special occasions only that the citizens wear the traditional dress of Malaysia. All the multi-ethnic traditional clothes of Malaysia are multi-coloured, bespoke of their culture and radiating vibrancy. The main communities of Malaysia are Malay, Chinese and Indian, each of which has its own traditional clothes. Most Malaysians dress like westerners. It is mostly on special occasions only that the citizens wear the traditional dress of Malaysia. All the multi-ethnic traditional clothes of Malaysia are multi-coloured, bespoke of their culture and radiating vibrancy. Malay is the most prominent ethnic group in Malaysia. Pakaian is the word for clothing in the official language. The traditional dress is different for males and females and is usually in bright and loud colours. Malaysian Traditional Clothing The current traditional dress for women in Malaysia is called Baju Kurung. It can be considered the most popular traditional clothing. The traditional Baju Kurung is a long-sleeved, knee-length blouse, paired with a long skirt that is called kain. This attire is usually accompanied by a scarf on the head. The traditional attire for Malay men is called the Baju Melayu. They do not wear this traditional attire daily, but usually, you would see men wear it during special occasions like Hari Raya, weddings, award ceremonies, and other formal occasions. The complete look includes a piece of cloth or sarong being wrapped around the hips as well as a traditional Malay black cap called songkok. 09

20 Chinese Traditional Clothing Chinese women in Malaysia particularly adorn the one-piece dress called Cheongsam during festivals and important events. Cheongsam is a long silk dress and has a high collar and a diagonal clasp.Cheongsam itself is said to mean long dress, hence its length is usually long with slits on both sides. However, it is also common to see women wear Cheongsams of a shorter length. During the Chinese New Year in Malaysia, usually Chinese men wear collared shirts or button-downs in red. Nevertheless, they do have the traditional costume, Tang Suit, a jacket-type suit with a high collar. If you are a fan of Chinese history drama then you would probably recognize this attire. Most of the people from the Chinese community residing in Malaysia don’t dress traditionally. They prefer to dress casually. However, they are spotted in traditional outfits during festivals, especially the Chinese New Year. Indian Traditional Clothing Indians in Malaysia were mostly descendants from India. They have passed down and retain most of their traditions from India. The majority of the Indian immigrants were from West India but many North Indian cultures can be found in Malaysia too. Indian men in Malaysia wear kurta-pyjama, dhotikurta or lungi-kurta. Kurta is typically a knee length shirt. Another popular version of kurta is sherwani, which is worn during weddings and other festivals. Dhoti and lungi are types of baggy lowers. Most Indian women in Malaysia wear saree and blouse. Sari is a six yard piece of cloth, draped around the body in a way that it looks like a skirt with pleats in the centre and part of the same cloth covers one shoulder and hangs below till the knees. Some women also wear salwar kurta, which is a tunic worn with loose bottoms and long scarf called dupatta. 10

Traditional Malaysian food is a culinary journey through a diverse tapestry of flavors, shaped by the multicultural influences of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous communities. From the iconic Nasi Lemak to the savory Satay and aromatic Roti Canai, Malaysian cuisine is a harmonious blend of sweet, spicy, and savory tastes. This rich gastronomic heritage reflects the nation's unity in diversity, offering a delightful experience for those seeking a taste of Malaysia's cultural fusion. When looking into Malaysian food facts, you will discover that malay food reflects the multi-ethnic makeup of its population can roughly be devided among three major group of ethnic such as Malay ,Chinese and Indian 11

NASI LEMAK: Nasi lemak is a dish originating in Malay cuisine that consists of fragrant rice cooked in coconut milkand pandan leaf. It is commonly found in Malaysia, where it is considered as the national dish. It is also a native dish in neighbouring areas with significant ethnic Malay populations such as Singapore and Indonesia. NASI KERABU: Nasi kerabu is very popular in the east coast states of Peninsular Malaysia such as Kelantan and Terengganu, and now can be found throughout Malaysia as well as in southern Thailand, where it is known as khao yam (Thai: ข้าข้วยำ , pronounced [kʰâːw jam]). 12

Pan mee (Chinese: 板 ⾯ ) - noodle soup with hand-kneaded and torn pieces of noodles or regular strips of machinepressed noodles, with a toothsome texture not unlike Italian pasta. A variant popular in the Klang Valley is known as "Chilli Pan Mee", and which of cooked noodles served with minced pork, a poached egg, fried anchovies and fried chilli flakes which are added to taste. Chilli Pan Mee is accompanied with a bowl of clear soup with leafy vegetables. PAN MEE: Popiah is a traditional Southeast Asian dish, particularly popular in Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan. It consists of a thin, delicate crepe-like skin filled with a mixture of fresh vegetables, jicama, bean sprouts, and sometimes tofu or shrimp. The filling is often seasoned with ingredients like hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and garlic. Popiah is typically rolled and cut into bite-sized pieces, offering a flavorful and refreshing culinary experience. POPIAH: 13

Biryani is a classic South Asian dish renowned for its aromatic and flavorful rice preparation. It typically involves basmati rice cooked with fragrant spices like cumin, cardamom, and cloves. The rice is layered with marinated meat, often chicken, lamb, or goat, and sometimes includes vegetables. Biryani may also incorporate ingredients like fried onions, saffron, and mint to enhance its taste and aroma. The dish is slowcooked or baked, allowing the flavors to meld, resulting in a delicious and hearty one-pot meal. BIRYANI: Tandoori chicken is a popular Indian dish where chicken is marinated in a mixture of yogurt and various spices, including cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala. The marinated chicken is traditionally cooked in a tandoor, a clay oven, giving it a distinctive smoky flavor and a vibrant reddish color. Tandoori chicken is often served with naan bread and accompanied by mint chutney or yogurt sauce. The cooking method imparts a deliciously charred and tender texture to the chicken, making it a flavorful and widely enjoyed dish. TANDOORI CHICKEN: 14

1 0 Add a little bit Dances serve various purposes like entertainment, religious rituals, community bonding, or individual creativity. They can convey social, political, or cultural messages and often carry symbolism that viewers can interpret. There are many types of dances, including traditional, folk,contemporary, and classical.Some famous examples include the Argentine tango, Hawaiian hula, Indian Bharatanatyam, and classical ballet. Dance is a beautiful way to convey emotions,stories,and cultural values across generations.of body text DANCE ICONIC C U L T U R E C U L T U R E m a g a z i n e "Culture is the compass that guides us, shaping our values, beliefs, and the way we connect with the world around us." Dance is a form of artistic expression involving specific patterns of movement, often accompanied by music. It's a cultural activity found all over the world, with each culture having its own unique dances. Dance involves body movements, facial expressions, changes in position, and interactions with the surrounding environment. 15

ZAPIN DANCE Zapin dance is a type of traditional folk dance performed by the Malay community in the islands of the Pantau Archipelago in Southeast Asia. This dance in ancient times. This dance was inspired by Arabs people who are said to be from Yemen. Besides that, this Zapin dance is danced by men only, now danced in pairs man and women. LION DANCE The lion dance is part of a raditional dance in Chinese eritage customs.Which where dancers will imitate move the lion with wearing a lion costume.The lion costume is played by two Dancers, besides the line of lions is considered a deep protector traditional Asian people, especially the Chinese. This dance is danced as a symbol of harmony. BHARATANATYAM DANCE Bharatanatyam dance originated from the Tamil region Naidu in the southern part of India. This dance is known as the national dance of India. in addition, this dance is related to the universe. 16

SERULING Seruling is a small Malay flute made out of bamboo. It’s been much debated as to whether the Seruling was the first Malayan Instrument as it was commonly used among the indigenous tribes (earlier Malays or Proto Malays’ who inhabit the jungles). KOMPANG This popular percussion instrument is commonly played at weddings as an ensemble. It is played in an interlocking rhythmic pattern to accompany choral singing. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS A musical instrument is a device created or adapted to make musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can be considered a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. A person who plays a musical instrument is known as an instrumentalist. The history of musical instruments dates to the beginnings of human culture. Early musical instruments may have been used for rituals, such as a horn to signal success on the hunt, or a drum in a religious ceremony. Cultures eventually developed composition and performance of melodies for entertainment. Musical instruments evolved in step with changing applications and technologies. Malay musical instruments Indian musical instruments VEENA The veena is a string instrument originating in India. The Veena instrument and its variants play an important role in Hindustani classical music and Carnatic classical music, from North and South India respectively. It can be either a zither or a lute, depending on the type of veena. The difference lies in the shape and construction of the resonator, or soundbox. 17

9 TABLA Tabla is a percussion instrument made of wood, metal ,brass, cloth, clay, copper, aluminum, steel, rice, wheat, charcoal powder, plant fiber, iron, nickel, gum, soot, buffalo skin, goatskin, leather, and glue. This is a traditional instrument that is found in various parts of North India. It is an important rhythmic accompaniment to solo and instrumental music ensembles as well as a solo performance instrument. Chinese musical instruments PIPA The pipa is one of the most popular Chinese instruments and has been played for almost two thousand years in China. Several related instruments in East and Southeast Asiaare derived from the pipa; these include the Japanese biwa, he Vietnamese đàn tỳ bà, and the Korean bipa. ERHU The erhu is a two-stringed bowed musical instrument, more specifically a spike fiddle, which may also be called a “southern fiddle”, and sometimes known in the Western world as the “Chinese violin” or a “Chinese two-stringed fiddle”. It is used as a solo instrument as well as in small ensembles and large orchestras. It is the most popular of the huqin family of traditional bowed string instruments used by various ethnic groups of China. 18

19 WORD SEARCH T Z S B I T G K I Q E P A V L N I P A Z E H W K N F R T M U H R E B E O D G E V T I U O I R I M O T E E L D N S A S D P O N A E R G L B N F G A R P X N S A U O F G T N I N G A M Z S F G T Z P I J M Find the hidden words inside the box. Find the hidden words inside the box. Kompang Zapin Veena Saree Islam Cheongsam Kerabu Pipa Erhu Tandoori Eid

culture in malaysia - Bing. (n.d.). Bing. https://www.bing.com/search? pglt=43&q=culture+in+malaysia&cvid=65038596c66544c59f557de037205d31&gs_ lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQRRhA0gEINDkxMmowajGoAgCwAgA&FO RM=ANNTA1&PC=U531 01 02 Wikipedia contributors. (2023, October 3). Malaysian cultural outfits. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysian_cultural_outfits REFERENCES 20 03 traditional food in malaysia - Bing. (n.d.). Bing. https://www.bing.com/search? pglt=43&q=traditional+food+in+malaysia&cvid=02a49c6dc4ad46b7826 585d87db061bd&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQABhAMg YIAhAAGEAyBggDEAAYQDIGCAQQABhAMgYIBRAAGEAyBggGEAAYQDI GCAcQABhAMgYICBBFGEDSAQg2OTY0ajBqMagCALACAA&FORM=ANN TA1&PC=U531 04 dance in malaysia - Bing. (n.d.). Bing. https://www.bing.com/search? q=dance+in+malaysia&cvid=2fd233cefb0949a48d952e14eef74b90&gs _lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQABhAMgYIAhAAGEAyBggDE AAYQDIGCAQQABhAMgYIBRAAGEAyBggGEAAYQDIGCAcQABhAMgYIC BAAGEDSAQg2Mjk2ajBqOagCALACAA&FORM=ANAB01&PC=U531

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