 |
| Culture |
 Malaysia
is a multicultural society comprising :
60% Malay of muslim, 25% Chinese which mostly Buddhists, Taoists or Christian,
10% Indians for Hindu Tamils from southern India, and remaining 5 % for
population is made up of Eurasians, Kampucheans, Vietnamese and indigenous
tribes.
Malaysia culture background
| - |
Malaysia has a rich and colourful cultural heritage. The various
communities diligently keep many of the traditional arts, culture,
music and crafts alive certain times of the year. |
| - |
August 31 - Independence Day or 'Merdeka' celebration in Kuala Lumpur.
|
| - |
September month - The "Colours of Malaysia" showcases the cultural
heritage of the 13 states consisting of a grand procession as well
as traditional dance performances and food promotion at participating
hotels and complexes in Kuala Lumpur. |
| - |
Late May month - International Kite Festival a colourful display
of giant kites weave in the wind. ( In Kelantan) |
| - |
Chingay - street festival held in Penang |
| - |
Some festivals are observed only in certain states; for example,
the birthday of the respective state sultans. lf a public holiday
falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday is a holiday. |
| - |
If a holiday falls on a Thursday or Friday in the states that follow
the Muslim week, the following Saturday is a holiday. |
| - |
Malaysia's Registrar of Societies lists 1,525 societies throughout
Malaysia for its culture exposure. This include martial arts, dance
and music, theatre, paintings and handicraft, literature, photography,
traditional musical instruments, gasing (traditional Malay tops) and
wau (traditional Malay kites) and lion dance troupes. |
|
|
Malaysia's Art
The Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage (MCAH) and other government agencies
play an important role in promoting Malaysian culture. The MCAH manages
Panggung Negara (National Theater), Istana Budaya (Cultural Center), the
National Arts Academy and Museums.
The government and private for-profit organisations play dominant roles
in the field of culture and arts. There are limited non-profit organizations
promoting culture (its existence is inactive and/or dependent).
The Istana Budaya promotes all forms of theatrical arts/one-act plays, theatre
staging, dance drama, National Choir Concert, National Symphony Orchestra,
Chamber Music, traditional and folk music and performance by Kumpulan Budaya
Negara (the dance troupe). National Arts Academy specialises in arts and
provides opportunities and formal training in the field of arts. |
|
Malaysia's Music
The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) mission is to expose, develop
and nurture an interest in western classical music in Malaysia. The orchestra's
motto "Hear And You Will See" serves to share the depth, power
and beauty of great orchestral music. Its annual schedule of more than 100
concerts includes chamber music, contemporary music and commissioned works.
The orchestra regularly performs in major cities of Malaysia and in Singapore.
In November 2001, the orchestra undertook a major five-concert tour to Japan
and Korea.
In October 2004, the MPO embarked on a successful tour to Australia, performing
at five venues. |
|
Malaysia's Crafts
Malay arts and crafts include batik, silk weaving, silver filigree, brasswork,
wayang kulit (shadow-puppets), silat (a stylised martial art).
Batik is a traditional technique for dyeing fabric, using wax to make designs.
The designs are either hand-painted or printed with carved wooden blocks.
Silver filigree jewelry is created with delicate silver wires that are tightly
rolled by hand and soldered onto frames.
Sabah and Sarawak is known for traditional woodcarvings, beadwork and Iban
pua kumbu i.e., intricately woven ceremonial hangings featuring stylized
birds, animals or plants and motifs representing spiritual significance.
The Chinese community in Malaysia creates lovely huge blue and green glazed
dragon jars made of porcelain. |
Malaysia's Cuisine
Satays made out of meat kebabs in spicy peanut sauce are a specialty in
Malaysian cuisine.
Being a multi cultural country, one can taste a mix of Chinese and Malay
food called Nyonya made with Chinese ingredients and local spices.
Indian, Indonesian and Western dishes like fried soybean curd in peanut
sauce, sour tamarind fish curry, fiery curry prawns and spiced curried meat
in coconut marinade are the delicacies.
Muslim Indian dishes have developed a distinctly Malaysian style. |
|
|
|
|
