Malaysia

Cultural Project
:
Submission Date: 26 May 2023.

Edited By Jessen
Perianen, Jean-David
Sylva, Ryan Caliste,
and Noah Theodore.
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Introduction
Malaysia is vast country consists of thirteen states and three federal territories, it has
two regions namely Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo’s East Malaysia seperated with the
South China Sea. The country is known to be multi-cultural society with about
32,770,600 population estimates.
The cultures amalgam came from the Indian and Chinese due to the initiation of spice
route, thus many came and inhabited the country. It is important not to neglect that
Malaysia have its original people and they are indigenous tribe. The Orang Asli are the
Indigenous Peoples of Peninsular Malaysia. The 18 Orang Asli subgroups within the
Negrito (Semang), Senoi and Proto-Malay groups are considered the original
inhabitants of Peninsular Malaysia.
Malay people are said to have very rich gastronomy, and mergers of all races cultures
is like mergers of spices in its cuisine. Based on regions and districts, food experience
may vary because each community has its own way making when it comes to
preparation. The national dish in Malaysia is Nasi Lemak, and also a confort food
because most restaurants there serves this particular dish.
Malay people are deep routed to ancestry traditional that why art, tradition and music
stayed that long, Particularly the tribes’s ceremonies consist of several dances and music
instruments (percussions instruments) which still remain unknown to the occident
people.
Through the "1971 National Culture Policy", the Malaysian government has taken step
into making Malay culture into an official culture and the Malay text are considered
cultural text.

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Malaysian cuisine
1. Mee goreng mamak (Five Malay Dish)

This Muslim cuisine from Asia is all you could want. orange noodles. Chicken or beef.
Shrimp. eggs, vegetables, and soy sauce. A dash of chile added for an addictive kick.

2. Apam balik

Apam balik is a frequently-reinvented food that combines the compact form of an

omelet with the pancake-style texture of a snack. It is loaded with more than enough
sugar, peanuts, and corn on occasion.

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3. Nasi Kerabu

Bean sprouts and fried coconut are sprinkled on top of the aquamarine dish, which is
then covered in a hot sauce made from fermented fish sauce. You dig into this one
with your hands in genuine Kelantan fashion.

4. Ayam percik (chicken with percik sauce)

Basically, it's barbecued chicken covered in a hot sauce made of chili, garlic, ginger,
and coconut milk. This common Malaysian street snack has more zing than the
Colonel can manage with the perfect amount of percik sauce.

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5. Nasi kandar

Although nasi lemak is typically eaten for breakfast, many now order it at any hour of
the day.

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1. Guangdong/Cantonese Cuisine(Five Chinese Dish)

The most well-liked cuisine worldwide is Cantonese. Fine seafood and rice dishes are
well known in Hong Kong and Guangdong Province.
2. Jiangsu Cuisine

Its uniqueness stems from the fine cooking methods used to create dishes with intense
flavors and beautiful presentation. Additionally, their cooks place a priority on
preparing nutritious meals.

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3. Sichuan cuisine

China's most popular cuisine was created in Sichuan Province. Their food is renowned
for its fiery flavor and numbing Sichuan peppercorn flavor, which is uncommon in
other regional cuisines.
4. Hunan Cuisine

Hunan food is even hotter than Sichuan food, so if you enjoy spicy food, you'll likely
enjoy it too. Because they do not use peppercorn, which causes the mouth to get
numb, it is tastier and more delectable.

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5.

Zhejiang Province is south of Jiangsu and borders Shanghai as well, so their fashion is
comparable to theirs but less meticulously made.

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1. Chicken Makhani (Five Indian dish)

Butter chicken is succulent chicken that has been cooked in a flavorful tomato sauce. It
is typically prepared in a tandoor, a cylindrical clay or metal oven, but less genuine
methods may involve grilling, roasting, or pan-frying.
2. Samosas (Deep-Fried Potato/Veggie Dumpling)

A very well-liked traditional Indian dish is samosas. Probably because samosas are
wonderful pastries with savory contents that can be baked or fried.

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3. Naan (Flatbread)

A leavened, oven-baked flatbread is called naan. Naan is typically served with every
meal.
4. Matar Paneer (Peas and Cooked Cottage Cheese)

The origins of matar paneer are in northern India. Paneer (farmer's cheese) and peas
are covered in a delicious tomato sauce and seasoned with garam masala.

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5. Aloo Gobi (Potato and Cauliflower)

Dry and vegan, aloo gobi is an Indian meal prepared with potatoes, cauliflower, and
Indian spices. Its bright, yellow-orange hue is a result of the usage of turmeric, a
component common to Indian cuisine.

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Celebrations and festivals
1. Thaipusam (5 Malay Festivals and Celebrations)

Thaipusam, one of the most significant Tamil festivals in Malaysia, celebrates with a
lot of fanfare the victory of Lord Muruga over the wicked spirit Soorapadam.
2. Chinese New Year

The biggest cultural event in Malaysia is a 15-day long festival that begins on the first
day of the Chinese lunar calendar and ends with the Lantern Festival.

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3. Malaysia Water Festival

Similar to Holi in India, Malaysia's Water Festival is played with clean, clear water
rather than dried colored powder.
4. Tadau Ka’amatan Harvest Festival

The primary purpose of this Kadazan-Dusun festival, which is celebrated by Sabah's

largest ethnic group, is to give thanks to the gods for a plentiful crop. It is one of
Malaysia's most well-known celebrations.

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5. Wesak Day

Malaysians love to celebrate Wesak Day. Wesak festival celebration in Malaysia, like
in all Buddhist nations, offers you the chance to see this significant occasion
commemorating the three main turning points in Buddha's life: his birth,
enlightenment, and nirvana.

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1. Qingming Festival (5 Chinese Festivals and Celebrations)

Chinese people visit graves and cemeteries to pay their respects to their ancestors on
Qingming Festival.
2. Dragon Boat Festival

According to the Chinese lunar calendar, the Dragon Boat Festival occurs on day 5 of
month 5 (about mid-June). Traditionally, rice dumplings are consumed at this Chinese
event.

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3. Double Seventh Day - How to Celebrate China's Valentine’s Day

Due to the fact that it occurs on the seventh day of the seventh month of the Chinese
lunar calendar (about the middle of August), it is known as Double Seventh Day. This
holiday, which is often referred to as "China's Valentine's Day," has long been
associated with passion and love in China.
4. Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival

Due to the fact that it occurs on the seventh day of the seventh month of the Chinese
lunar calendar (about the middle of August), it is known as Double Seventh Day. This
holiday, which is often referred to as "China's Valentine's Day," has long been
associated with passion and love in China.

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5. Winter Solstice (Dongzhi) Festival

Depending on the day it occurs, some Chinese commemorate the Winter Solstice on
December 21, 22, or 23. On the day of the Winter Solstice, it is customary for
individuals to eat dumplings and/or tangyuan with their families.

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1. Diwali (5 Indian festivals and celebrations)

One of the most important religious holidays in India is called Diwali by the Hindu,
Sikh, and Jain groups.
2. Navratri and Durga Pooja

One of the biggest festivals in India, especially in the north and east, is Durga Pooja.
This non-day event is known as Navratri in the northern region of India. This festival
is observed as Druga Pooja in the state of West Bengal.

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3. Dussehra

One of the most well-known celebrations in the Indian states is the Dussehra festival.
The Hindu community in India celebrates this occasion. The festival of Dussehra
commemorates Lord Rama's victory over Ravana, the ruler of the demons. It can also
be seen as the triumph of good over evil.
4. Holi

One of India's most well-known holidays is Holi. At this delightful celebration, friends
and family come together to sing, dance, and experiment with color while most are
dressed in white. Dry and wet colors are thrown on one another during the Holi
festival.

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5. Onam

One of the well-known celebrations of the Indian states in the southern region of the
nation is Onam. For the people of Kerala, who consider Onam to be the return of the
legendary Demon King "Mahabali," it is a significant holiday. Kerala celebrates Onam
for a total of 10 days straight during the harvest season.

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Art and Music
1.

Malay Mak Yong Dance

2.

Bharatanatyam Costume dance

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3.

Malaysian Traditional Music

4.

Malaysian Traditional Music

5.

Malaysian Traditional Music

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Crafts
1.

In this picture, a lady working on bemba mat.

2.

In this picture, a woman making a bamboo basket.

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3.

In this image, you can notice a lady doing Cloth weaving

4.

Ratan Craft

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5.

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Religion in Malaysia
1.

Islam is the official religion of Malaysia.

2.

Buddhism was introduced to Malaysia over 2000 years ago.

3.

Traders introduced Christianity to Malaysia from the 7th Century.

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 4.

Hinduism was brought to Malaysia by early Indian traders and are mainly from the
south of India (Tamil Nadu)
5.

Confucianism is one of the traditional Chinese religions followed in Malaysia.

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Weddings and Traditions
1. Chinese weddings and traditions

Exchange of betrothal gifts between the bride and groom's families.

2.

Tea Ceremony
3.

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4.

The bride’s face is covered with a red silk veil which is part of the bridal ritual.
5.

Eswest Music and Art.

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1. Malaysian wedding and traditions

Before deciding on a date for the big day, Malays follow this tradition called merisik –
where the elders from the groom’s side visit his prospective bride to meet her and her
family.
2.

Bridesmaids gather for an intimate henna party, where both hands and feet are
decorated with henna. Of course, the bride’s henna design being the most intricate of
all.

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3.

Rice flour, white rice, yellow rice, and rose water are sprinkled on the hands of the
couple during the Tepung Tawar ceremony.
4.

The akad nikah usually takes place during the morning.

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5.

As the groom makes his way to the bride’s house to unite with his wife and have their
first meal together as husband and wife, he will be escorted by a drum-beating
procession known as the kompang.
1. Indian weddings and traditions

The groom applies a red mark on the bride’s forehead.

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Mehndi or Henna – Designs or patterns are drawn on the hands and feet of the bride
as decoration.

The couple walk around the fire.

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 Get matching sherwani, dhoti. Dhoti (also known as veshti, pancha, mardani) is a
traditional Indian men garment.

Highlight of the ceremony; The groom ties the Thali necklace around the bride’s neck
to signify that they are married.

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Traditional treatment

1.

Edible-nest swiftlets use hardened saliva to build bird's nests, which they generally
construct in cave openings and ledges. When cooked properly, the nest built of saliva
strands is a delightful Chinese delicacy rich in nutrients such as potassium, iron,
calcium, and magnesium.
2.

Most Chinese traditional medicine shops in Malaysia sell green (fresh), white (dried),
and red (steamed & dried) ginseng.
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3.

Tong Kat Ali is known to have beneficial effects on numerous processes connected
with sexual (for men) and hormonal functioning. It is most likely the safest and most
efficient natural testosterone boosting medicinal plant known today, with little or no
adverse effects.
4.

Herbal Massage Treatment

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5.

Arundina graminifola is an evergreen orchid endemic to Asia, including Malaysia, and

is sometimes referred to as the "bamboo orchid." Besides being decorative in function,
it is employed as an anti-bacterial ingredient while its roots are used to treat physical
pains, a technique often done by the ‘Orang Asli’.

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Building architecture
1.

Sultan Abdul Ahmad Building

2.

Petronas Twin Towers

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3.

National Textile Museum

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4.

Merdeka 118
5.

Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building

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