Festival and Celebrations
Almost every month has some festival or celebration-taking place in Malaysia – thanks to its mufti-ethnic nature of its population. Most Malaysian festivals centre around the various religions practised here although some are also culturally derived. Whatever their origins, these festivals offer visitors an interesting and colourful insight into the multifaceted Malaysian culture. Tours are organized for tourists to participate in the events. Enquire at tourist information counter or your travel agency. The number of festivals and celebrations also mean a dizzying number of state and national level public holidays. City dwellers head towards their hometowns or villages making roads congested with traffic before and after long public holidays. Airports, railway stations and bus stations are extra busy during this period, and government offices are closed during this period so plan your holiday carefully. However, there will be cultural exhibitions and performances held at shopping complexes, hotels, tourism centres and other public spots during many of these festivals and celebrations. Your tour agency will give you more details on exact dates of the festivals and celebrations as dates vary each year.
NEW YEAR EVE CELEBRATIONS
New Year is ushered in at midnight on New Year’s eve much like elsewhere in the world as people prepare to usher in the new year. Venues: Dataran Merdeka (KLI, public squares in cities, hotels and nightspots.
THAIPUSAM (January/February)
Hindus pay homage to the deity, Lord Murugan who is also called Lord Subramaniam. Thaipusam is a day of consecration for Hindus. Devotees fast for a month before undertaking the act of penance as a ‘kavadi bearer’. A kavadi is a simple pot of milk or an elaborate frame decorated with flowers, tinsels, coloured paper and coconut fronds. Main venue: Batu Caves (KLj
CHINESE NEW YEAR (usually January or February)
The first day of the first month in the Chinese Zodiac calender is a much-awaited event for the Chinese. Restaurants feature special Chinese New Year Eve family dinners and meals that include vegetarian specialities, longevity dishes and yee sang (a prosperity dish). Lion dances will make their lively entrances at hotels, shopping complexes and public buildings.
HARI RAYA PUASA (usually February or March]
Hari Raya Puasa falls on the first day of Syawal, the tenth month of Hijrah, the Muslim calendar. It is preceded by Ramadan, a month of obligatory fasting for Muslims from sunrise to sunset. During this period, at around 3pm daily, food stalls featuring Ramadan delicacies spring up along streets of cities and villages. Popular Malay( melayu ) fares to try are nasi kerabu, nasi ulam, nasi dagang, ayam percik and desserts.
WESAK DAY (end of May)
Wesak Day marks the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. It is the most important day of the Buddhist calendar. Buddhists set free doves, offer prayers, donate blood and hold candlelight procession as symbolic gestures to signify the events in Buddha’s Life. Main venue: Buddhist Temple Jalan Berhala, Brickfields, KL.
TADAU KEAMANTAN FESTIVAL (end of May)
Kaamantan Festival is celebrated by the Kadazan and Muruts communities of Sabah. The harvest festival on 30Â31 May gives thanks to Bambaazon (the rice ‘soul’). A ritual ceremony is carried out to propitiate the spirit of Bambaazon so that the next harvest season would be better. This is followed by songs, drumbeats, dancing, food and rice wine.
SARAWAK GAWAI Festival (early June)
The annual festival of the Dayaks of Sarawak is celebrated in early June to mark the end of the padi-planting season and the start of the new planting season. Dayaks clean their homes, visit graves of their dead ones and on the eve of the festival have a family reunion gathering with food, music and rice wine.. War dances, cockfights and blowpipe competitions add to the merriment of this festival.
CITRAWARNA (mid-year)
This colourful tourism event is Malaysia’s ‘Mardi Gras’. It showcases Malaysia’s rich culture and tradition through cultural activities, handicrafts exhibition, sumptuous cuisines and resplendent costumes. It is a major tourist event in the tourism calendar created to enable tourists experience the country’s cultural diversity. The event is celebrated throughout the country for a whole month with a variety of cultural activities. Main venue: Sultan Abdul Samad Building, KL (Opposite Dataran Merdeka).
MOONCAKE FESTIVAL (August)
The Mooncake Festival had its origins during the Mongolian dynasty in China. The event is celebrated on the 15th day of the eight moons with lantern processions by children. Mooncakes, a speciality during the season makes its appearance at hotels, shopping complexes and Chinese food outlets.
NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATIONS (August 31)
The day of Malaya’s independence from the British in 1957, the auspicious date is celebrated with parades and fun-filled events throughout the nation. Main venue: Dataran Merdeka.
DEEPAVALI (October)
The Festival of Lights which falls during the 7th month of the Hindu calendar celebrates the mythology of the demon king Narakasura who was slain by Lord Krishna. It signifies the triumph of good over evil. Oil lamps are lit in Hindu households to commemorate this occasion.
CHRISTMAS (December 25)
Christmas in tropical Malaysia is a unique experience where the festive winter occasion is recreated hotels and shopping complexes with Christmas tree, artificial snow, lights and carolers. Christmas favourites like roast turkey, mince pie, stollen, chocolate log, Christmas pudding and cookies are among items offered at Christmas Eve buffet, lunch and dinner at hotels and restaurants.
