Festivals In Malaysia

festival in malaysia

Malaysia, having a diverse cultural practices attracts many tourists all around the world and locals to immerse themselves in one celebration or another. Not only Malaysia is a country where one can experience a multitude of cultural celebrations and festivals, but most importantly also good food all year round.

To help our foreign friends have a better insight and overview of the festivities to look forward for your next visit to Malaysia, here is a list of the monthly cultural celebrations and festivities Malaysia offers, prepared by SGMYTRIPS.

Festivals in Malaysia

  1. January/ February: Chinese New Year
  2. January/ February: Thaipusam
  3. April: Good Friday
  4. April: Malaysia Water Festival
  5. May: Caklempong Xtravaganza
  6. May: Pesta Kaamatan
  7. May: Kelantan Kite Festivals
  8. May/June: Hari Raya
  9. June: Gawai Dayak
  10. June: Dragon Boat Festival
  11. July: Rainforest World Music Festival
  12. August: George Town Festival
  13. August: Hari Merdeka
  14. August/ September: Hungry Ghost Festival
  15. September: Citrawarna (Colors of Malaysia)
  16. September: Mid-Autumn Festival
  17. October: Hari Raya Haji
  18. November: Deepavali
  19. December: Christmas

  1. January/ February: Chinese New Year

For Chinese, Chinese New Year is perhaps the most important festival not only in Malaysia, but also for Chinese worldwide. This celebrations last for 15 days marking from the first day of the New Year in Chinese lunar calendar.

According to Chinese Zodiac since the ancient times, each year is named after one of the 12 animals which are rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and lastly pig.

Prior to this remarkable celebration, homes are cleaned and decorated by members of the family. Sweeping and cleaning are prohibited as Chinese believes that this may sweep away good fortune that comes to them.

Offerings and prayers are made and debts are also cleared to prevent attracting unnecessary bad fortune. So how Malaysia Chinese celebrates this unique festival? Let us look through.

Customarily since the ancient times, Angpow, or red packets are handed out by married couple to their parents, single adults and children during Chinese New Year celebration. This represents as tokens of good fortune and blessing. The act of giving a red packet is purely a blessing and not a transaction. Therefore, there is no rule in terms of amount that should go in an Angpow.

Alike to other festival, Chinese will also go back to their hometown for reunion. In today, reunion dinner is held on the eve of Chinese New Year, which represents a symbol of bond between family members. A must have among all dishes for reunion dinner was Yee Sang. Raw fish salad originated from China’s Guangdong province for centuries.

Nowadays the salad has become a riot of colors and flavors, such as red and green-dyed strips, candied orange peel and most important the salmon. Salmon represent ‘Nian Nian You Yu’ in Chinese, which mean sufficient food, wealth and blessing.

Traditional dance for Chinese New Year, the Lion Dance. Why is this dance being practiced in Malaysia during Chinese New Year? Lion which is an auspicious animal symbolizes courage, determination and resourcefulness. Chinese believes that those who watch it will be blessed by good fortune throughout the year.

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  1. January/ February: Thaipusam

Thaipusam is the second biggest festival for Hindu right after Deepavali. Usually falls in the month of January and February, the exact day is based on the full moon day as according in the Hindu calendar. Thaipusam is dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord of Murugan. Where is the largest scale of celebration site in Malaysia?

If you ask so, it is located just outside of Kuala Lumpur, Batu Caves. While for other state such as Penang, it is located at Balathandayuthapani Temple or Waterfall Hill Temple, Sri Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Kedah, and Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Perak.

During this unique celebration of Thaipusam by the Indian community, many states in Malaysia were declared as public holiday. You are advised to use public transportation to avoid massive traffic congestion if you are heading to Batu Caves. Not only bystanders, devotees usually blocked the roads leading to Batu Caves.

Don’t be shocked by the tourists and locals crowding over there, at least there will be 10,000 people during this celebration.

On the night before Thaipusam, Hindus will gather at Sri Mahamariaman Temple along Jalan Tun HS Lee before marching to Batu Caves. The journey takes around 8 hours and they will arrive at the next morning. The long trip will bring them to 272 steps to the Batu Caves entrance.

If you are looking for a hectic trip, be prepared to emerge yourself into over a million people at Batu Caves. In some point, people will push each other to get forward leaded by priest climbing up to the entrance. You can avoid the crowd also by walking towards the elevated highway, which is, however packed with parked cars.

Many Hindus will get themselves shaved at one or the barber there, some even pierce their skin, tongue and cheeks with Vel skewers. Inside Batu Caves, you will see there are numerous altars. Once the statue arrives, ritual act of thanksgiving or penance will be started to be prepared by devotees.

Priests will firstly bathe in the river by the caves and many of them will go into ‘trances’. It is a painless process now only because the trance but also the skewered metal hooks or spikes. These spikes will then be removed after the prayers and wounds are treated.

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  1. April: Good Friday

In the Christian calendar, Good Friday which also referred as ‘Holy Friday’ is known as the most important religious festival. This important festival is celebrated every year preceding of Easter Sunday. Varying every year, Good Friday falls between 20 March and 23 April. The day is considered as a black day for Christians as it marks the death of Jesus Christ.

Why is it referred as good while there is nothing good happen during that day? This is because as according to your dictionary, good refer as ‘holy’ and ‘pious’. Meanwhile in other languages such as German, Good Friday means ‘Silent Friday’ or ‘Mourning Friday’. Some even claim that it has a meaning of corruption of God.

Why is Good Friday so significance according to the religious of Christians? By not only marking the end of suffering and pain of Jesus Christ on the cross, it also brings a message which is ‘an eye for an eye’. Violence cannot be conquered by hatred as this will only worsen it. It can only be overcome by love, violence through non-violence and bad through good.

Jesus came to living earth to free people of their sins, as from the belief of Christians, but ended up dying on hands of people because of hatred. Therefore, Good Friday is held every year with grieves and sorrow. It is a festival of mourning for Christians.

During this utmost important date, Christians spend their time offering prayers, fasting, and meditation on the pain and suffering being gone through by Jesus on the cross.  There are also many customs and traditions followed by Christians all across the world. No bells are being rung on this particular day.

The main religious in Malaysia may be Islam but, people belonging from other faith also have their full freedom on celebrating their religious occasions. Including Sabah and Sarawak, and also in west Malaysia, Good Friday is celebrated as an official holiday.

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  1. April: Malaysia Water Festival

Water Festival is celebrated throughout the world, not only in Malaysia but also other countries such as Cambodia and Thailand. You may not heard about this Malaysia in this term ‘Water Festival’, but I can be sure you definitely know what Songkran Festival is.

Songkran Festival is a water festival commonly celebrated in Thailand and have a meaning of ‘shift’ and ‘movement’. Thai people celebrate this occasion when the sun move from Pisces to Aries in Zodiac, which coincides with the arrival of a new year.

Songkran of Water Festival is originally celebrated by pouring scented water over monks for cleansing process. The water will then be collected by locals to pour over each other for blessings. Songkran Festival has gain popularity throughout Southeast Asia including Malaysia.

Nowadays, this splashing fun is celebrated even without the intention of blessing. Good news is, you may not need to take a long flight to Thailand, as it is now being practice also in Malaysia.

In Malaysia, Water Festival is held as locals believe that splashing ritual is to bring good luck and ward off evil and bad fortune or lucks. Malaysia Water Festival is displaying and harnessing a love for natural surroundings such as water element.

Previously in Malaysia, Water Festival is held in Penang, Selangor, Langkawi, Labuan and many other states as well. Activities may diverse from water sport activities, music and cultural performance, beach and sea activities and so on.

What must you take notice of during this special and fun occasion? Water Festival is so wild that you cannot even avoid being splashed by water and getting yourself wet. Bring extra clothes especially for this festival during your next visit to Water Festival in Malaysia.

If you are having sensitive skin, you might want to bring an extra bottle of clean water along as some area might get wild that they even mix edible powder such as flour with water. Clean with clean water before the compound got stick on your skin. Water Festival Malaysia usually falls between the mid of April and last for two or three days. Ready for some splashing fun?

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  1. May: Caklempong Xtravaganza

Caklempong Xtravaganza is celebrated in Negeri Sembilan since 2014. This unique traditional festival is celebrated by the Minangkabau locals, from Indonesia. Movement of Minangkabau locals to Negeri Sembilan in the 14th century brought this unique cultural into Malaysia. In today, this cultural performance has transformed into an indigenous craft in Malaysia.

Playing of these traditional musical instruments is almost similar with those we commonly know from the west such as piano and guitar, ‘caklempong’ also have notes and symbols. What makes it so special and most of the Malaysian likes it? The sound waves created during the play of these instruments calm our inner heart and brain, having a harmony textures throughout the notes.

Traditionally in Malaysia, Caklempong is played not only for rituals and official occasions, but also being played during religious occasion and also as music for dances. This traditional practices is then modernized for current occasion in Malaysia such as during ceremony, elective of officials of government, and also other official ceremony held by Malaysia authorities.

In today, caklempong music not only consists of traditional genre, but also include modern genre. If you are into music types of person, this is a must hear for you for its unique melody and music style.

 

  1. May: Pesta Kaamatan

Ever heard about Thanksgiving Festival? Pesta Kaamatan is a form of thanksgiving celebrated by Sabahan annually in Malaysia. Pesta Kaamatan is also referred as Harvest Festival, as according to locals. Starting from the first day of May, this festival last throughout the month of May. It is normally celebrated by the ethnic Kadazan-Dusuns, one of the ethnic group in Malaysia.

Sabah natives will wear their traditional costume to boost up the carnival-like atmosphere during Pesta Kaamatan, which also called as ‘Tadau Ka’amatan’. Although many Sabahan youngster has been assimilated into urban careers in town and cities, they still return to their longhouses and villages to join the annual celebration of their traditionally agricultural societies.

Pesta Kaamatan comes from the beliefs of Kadazandusun. According to their belief, paddy plant is part of the spirit commonly known as Bambaazon, which is revered as the overall creator and source of life and existence. To this ethnic group, paddy plant is not only a source of food but also a sacred plant. They believe that without rice, there is no life.

So what are the rituals about and how many are there? The most important ritual may be the first step where Bobohizan or High Priests invite Bambaazon for home coming. This is to ensure farmers having abundant harvest for the next planting season.

Besides, there is also Magavau ceremony. Bobohizan will search for the lost, stolen or led astray spirit of Bambaazon due to pest, predators or natural disaster such as floods and droughts. Long summoning prayer will be done on the field to persuade and guide Bambaazon spirit to return to the rice barns. Lastly, Unduk Ngadau which is a traditional beauty contest will be held.

The fairest in the village will take part in this contest and a Kaamatan Queen will be selected. This is no ordinary beauty contest as it is part of the legend or story of Kadazandusun’s genesis.

Besides these tranditional culture ceremony will be held, there will be also traditional sports such as buffalo races, knuckle and finger wrestling, blow pipe competitions traditional dances and arm, and many else. Want something you can emerge yourself in the unique cultural of Malaysia? This is a must in your list!

 

  1. May: Kelantan Kite Festivals

Overlooked for decades, Kelantan may not be the popular destinations among tourists in Malaysia. This state may not have urban setting like Penang and Melaka nor Kuala Lumpur, urban vibes may not appear here. However, Kelantan may be the only state that hide all the cultural gems of Malaysia, preserving various forms of Malay cultural heritage.

What to do in Kelantan? In the month of May, Kite Festivals in Kelantan may be your reason to visit Kelantan.

Be wowed by huge and colorful Wau Bulan. Although there are many types of kites being fly during this festive seasons, Wau Bulan or Moon Kites stands among all. Because of its largeness, the frame is made from bamboo and colored by a variety of colored paper. As this unique is passed down within family from one generation to another, it is not commonly found anywhere except in Kelantan.

This state holds the gathering point for both local and international kite lovers and makers.

Since 1982, Kelantan has been holding International Kites Festival annually. The highlight of this festival may be the making of these kites and flying skills. Not only Moon Kite but also many others types and shape. As the event is held at beach side, bring along your picnic basket and enjoy a great breezy afternoon with your dearest.

The aim of this festive is to prevent this cultural does not wiped out by the time passed. It also help nurtures the creativity through kite making in young generations. Want some colour in your days during your visit in Malaysia? Head over Kelantan during this festive seasons to enjoy dancing kites in the sky.

 

  1. May/June: Hari Raya

Hari Raya, having a meaning of celebration day, marks the end of Ramadan. Hari Raya is the short-term for Hari Raya Aidilfitri, one of the most important festive season celebrated by the Muslims in Malaysia. Another important festival for this ethnic group is Hari Raya Haji, the festival of Abraham’s sacrifice.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri is considered one of the largest holidays in Malaysia. Muslims setting themselves in urban cities for careers will drive or fly back their hometown to gather with their beloved family members. Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a festive season which Muslims seek forgiveness from each other for their mistakes made within the year.

Besides, token for appreciation will be given to children and also elder. Besides, visiting the grave is also a must for Muslims during this festive seasons. Cleaning and saying prayer for blessing to their ancestor will be done in front of their ancestor’s graves and mosque. Just like Chinese New Year, Muslims will also visit houses of their relatives and friends for gathering.

Ready for some traditional Malay cuisines that can tantalize your taste buds? Ranging from Rendang Chicken, Nasi Lemak, Satay, Curry, Lemang, Ketupat and many other else is ready for you to try here in Malaysia. Not only families will prepare but there will be also a lot of these cuisines available in shopping malls, and even roadside stalls.

Houses and streets in Malaysia will be decorated by colorful lights and oil lamps will be lit. Big malls like One Utama, Pavillion in Kuala Lumpur set their decoration into the next level, also available in Danga City Mall in Johor Bahru! You will definitely be amazed by those decorations and definitely you can find your insta-worthy photo here in Malaysia.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a joyful celebrations not only to Muslims but all the Malaysians. This unique festive seasons highlights many important aspect such as empathy for the poor, charity, worship, steadfastness and patience being expressed more. Muslims greet each other with Selamat Hari Raya and happy feasting in homes.

 

  1. June: Gawai Dayak

In the month of June in Malaysia, the Dayak community will celebrate a unique festive season that symbolize unity called Gawai Dayak. This festival is celebrated on 1st of June in Sarawak annualy.

The name Gawai Dayak actually came from the combination of two words; Gawai means festival or rituals while Dayak is a collective name for the tribes of Iban, Kayan, Bidayuh, Kenyah, Kelabit, Murut and more. These are the sub tribes under an ethnic group similar with Chinese, we have Cantonese, Hokkien and many other sub tribes also.

The festival flags off in the evening of 31st May, there will be a ceremony called Muai Antu Rua. This ceremony is to cast off spirit of greediness to ensure the celebrations goes as smooth as possible without the spirit of bad luck. Two man or children will walk passed every family room in the long houses dragging a chapan or winnowing basket.

Families living inside the long houses will then throw in unwanted articles into it before being cast off from the end of the longhouse for the spirit of bad luck.

Next, miring ceremony will take places. Miring ceremony is a form of thanksgiving ceremony where the feast chief will thank the god for good harvest and also asking for guidance. Blessing and long life will then blessed on the tribe, belief by the Dayak. Ritual music performed by its unique traditional musical instrument called gendang rayah is played during this ceremony. While the ceremony end, dinner is served and villagers will talk and mingles waiting for midnight.

Once the midnight is sharp on time, a gong is sounded and every members in the longhouse will be led by tuai rumah drinking the Ai Pengayu, which is tuak for long life. Tuak is a kind of wine that is brewed by rice, richness in its taste and has a strong flavour within it. At the same time, people will greet each other long life, health and prosperity.

The celebration gets merrier by dancing of traditional dances with its unique melody from their cultural. Some will even recite poetry from their legends and stories passed from their ancestors.

The next day, celebration of the festival continues with activities such as cock fighting, blowpipe demonstration and dancing or ngajat competition. Homes of Dayak will be opened for visitors in this particular day. However, they must be served with Tuak before entering the longhouse.

The overall festival last for several days and this is also the time throughout the whole of year many Dayak wedding takes place, as it is rare for all members of the community to assemble at one time.

 

  1. June: Dragon Boat Festival

Apart of celebrating Chinese New year, in the fifth day of fifth month in lunar calendar, Chinese celebrates Dragon Boat Festival which also addressed as Duan Wu Jie. In Gregorian calendar, it falls on 7th of June in 2019. In China, they seen this festival importantly and they will have one to three days of official holiday.

However, in Malaysia, there is no holiday celebration but still, as Chinese never missed to organised some activities to celebrate this memorable day. It is a day of worship for an ancient Chinese poet, Qu Yuan. Because of this patriotic legend, there is a worth-knowing story behind this festival.  In 278 BC, through political intrigue, as a former minister, Qu Yuan, he was exiled.

On fifth of fifth month in lunar, he made a shocking movement on which ended his life by drowning himself in order to protest the government’s corruption by that time. The locals aggressively look for the deceased by the boats, to no avail. Rice was thrown into the river to feed the fishes by preventing them from devouring his corpse.

It becomes an annual activity for boats racing to commemorate Qu Yuan when residents were rushing out to the river by boats to save Qu Yuan. In this modern era, the boats will be decorated with colourful dragon heads which called it as dragon boats. Each team follows with a drummer who sits in the head of dragon boat during the boat racing.

The beats from the drummer will lead the scullers to paddle consistently. This emphasizes on teamwork spirit as they need to balance their boats. Nowadays, dragon boat racing is an international event which popular not only in China, but also Europe, USA, Malaysia and so on. In Malaysia, the dragons raced in Penang Island before.

Started from 1979, Penang International Dragon Boat Festival (PIDBF) has staged in Penang which caught the attention from the international dragon boat racing teams. Other than dragon boat racing, Zongzi, sticky rice bundles, also becomes a tradition for Chinese to celebrate this festival. Zongzi is made of glutinous rice with fillings like meat, salted egg yolk and chestnut.

After steamed, it will be wrapped with bamboo leaves into a pyramid-like shape and tied with plant stem. They are actually come with two flavours, sweet and savoury. During dragon boat festival, along the Chinese market, you can see there are plenty types of Zongzi sell in the market. Dragon Boat Festival is a favourite festival for those who are in loved with boat racing and Zongzi.

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  1. July: Rainforest World Music Festival

Rain forest World Music Festival is an international festival held in the Malaysia state of Sarawak. Initially, this festival humbly started in year 1998 and hold for only 300 audience. Years later after technology and modern musical instrument start booming in current generations, traditional music has become one of the topic among locals and even foreign tourist which they are more interested.

Rain forest World Music Festival has now become one of the major event in Sarawak and hold for more than 20,000 audience from both local and foreign countries. Not only in Malaysia, this festival won a couple of awards on international stage. For 6 consecutive years between 2010 and 2015, Rain forest World Music Festival is awarded 25 of the best International Festivals by Songlines.

Other awards include ASEANTA Excellence Award 2009 and PATA Gold Awards 2006. So what you can enjoy during this massive festival? During daytime, there are workshops being held so you can immerse yourself in the art of traditional melody. Learn how to play various kind of traditional musical instruments ranging from Iban, Chinese, Indian, and many else!

Not only there are music workshops, there are also arts and crafts. Here you might want not to miss the opportunity of crafting traditional daily use such as baskets and batik clothes. Of course there are many else crafting, explore them during your trip to Rain forest World Music Festival! Upon dawn, people nearby will be drawn to the main stages as the main performances will start.

Ranging from mini concert, ethno-musical lectures, and jamming session. Not only traditional local music will be showed to audience but also those from western or other ethnic group or community such as the drum performances of Chinese.

 

  1. August: George Town Festival

George Town Festival, the time when international and local tourists gather at another fast developing states of Penang. This is the time when different cultural not only in Malaysia but also nearby countries such as Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia and other ASEAN countries meet together at one center point, which is Penang.

This unique festival usually held for a month long, preparing many art and culture performance throughout the state of Penang entertaining tourists. Not only for entertainment purpose, some of the performances or showcase even tempted to bring educational knowledge.

With over 100 festivals being held during the George Town Festival, every town in Penang turned into a global stage during the month. Venues for this festival includes Loft 29, Dewan Sri Penang, Hin Bus Depot, Art Lane, St George’s Church, Penang House of Music and many else.

There are even various event held at local coffee shop and basketball court. Every citizens and tourists in Penang are embracing this festival consisting of various cultures. George Town Festival is held annually by Joe Sidek Productions Sdn Bhd, since the year 2010. As Penang is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this festival boost up its vibrant culture to another level.

Previously, festivals that become the talk among tourists and local includes Grit & Grace, performed by Malaysia idealists. It is a photography festival where beauty of landscapes in Malaysia and local’s portraits are show through the lenses. Grit & Grace is actually The Grandeur of Monochrome Malaysia project. This festival attracts many photographers from ASEAN countries as well as in local.

Besides, there are many festivals else such as the Blind, performed by Malaysia collaborating with Brazil. The Blind is actually originated in Brazil, an urban work where people dressed in business suits and covered in clay, walk passing slowly through the town. The purpose of this show is to bring out different interpretation from the audiences and it requires proper planning of routes to ensure traffic are not disturbed. There are also many live concert being held at local coffee house, bringing the music world either in traditional or modern genre to Penangites.

Ready for some international festival in Malaysia? For sure you do not want to miss out this unique festival. Take note that traffic will be slightly higher in Penang during this month as this festival not only holds for local citizens and tourists, but also those from international especially ASEAN countries.

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  1. August: Hari Merdeka

August is the month where celebration for independence of Malaysia take places. Not only in Kuala Lumpur, but also every states in Malaysia. The actual date for Independence Day in Malaysia will be on 31 August annually. However, this remarkable festival is usually celebrated during the week of actual Independence Day or even last for whole month.

The center point and most crowded place during this festival will be at the city center of Kuala Lumpur. However, there will be many smaller Independence celebrations at other states such as Malacca, Johor and so on. Despite you can enjoy the firework during night time, there are walks and even military exhibition in large cities.

Many shopping mall will be decorated sophisticated and large-sized Malaysia flags and this is the opportunity for you to see the patriotism of citizens in Malaysia. Independence Day will be the festival where every races in Malaysia celebrate together, proving Malaysia is not a country where stereotype of races occur.

Malaysia was declared as an independence country in 30 August 1957. As many citizens gathered at Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur to be part of the declaration, this spot became the place which hold most of the crowd. The special part about Independence Day in Malaysia is where each independence celebration is named with a different slogan annually, which mainly focus on promoting the unity of Malaysians.

Most of the shopping malls in Malaysia will grab this opportunity to slash their product price. Besides, there are also many parade being held and also sporting events. Politicians and VIPs will take turn deliver speeches on stage. Take note that Independence Day in Malaysia is referred as ‘Hari Merdeka’ but not ‘Malaysia Day’.

Although both festival are patriotic national holiday, there exists a huge different among two. Independence Day will be on August 31 and Malaysia Day will fall on September 16.

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  1. August/ September: Hungry Ghost Festival

Hungry Ghost Festival is an important festival for Chinese communities in Malaysia. It is a festival to honor the deceased. In some extreme, this festival is a taboo for Chinese in Malaysia especially the word ‘hell’ and spirit, but there is still some acknowledge the meaning of this festival which is another journey afterlife.

Hungry Ghost Festival falls in the month of August to early September, according to the lunar calendar. It is a festival where Taoism believe the gate of hell will be opened and letting out spirits from underworld to roam and visit around the earth.

A week before this festival starts, Chinese organizations or temples in Malaysia will start for preparations, including setting up large tent for performances such as Chinese Opera and traditional music show. Besides, Chinese puppet show can be witnessed if you are lucky as the puppet show is a very ancient entertainment and it slowly phases out over time.

These performances are set up throughout the town in Malaysia, especially in front of temples and is opened to public. However, the front row of the seats are always remain empty as it was reserved for visiting spirits.

During this festival, offerings will be made for ancestors to ensure they have a better afterlife. These offerings are mostly paper made such as paper clothes, paper car, paper houses and also the afterlife money. Prayers are made and these offering will be burned for deceased to use in another world.

The most remarkable event during this festival will be the Tai Su Yeah or King of Hades. It is made in the form of paper effigies, burned in the end of festival for sending back the King of Hades to hell. In some extend, some area prepare a sampan or wooden boat and burned together as a transport for the King back.

This will be an amazing experience for you which you can experience the old tradition of Chinese on honoring ancestors.

 

  1. September: Citrawarna (Colors of Malaysia)

Citrawarna or Colors of Malaysia is a festival held annually by Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia since 1999. The main purpose of this festival was initially set to promote the unique art and culture of various communities in Malaysia among locals and foreign tourists.

Of course, this festival is held at the center city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. Throughout the years, colors of Malaysia has been held constantly at the iconic Dataran Merdeka.

Colors of Malaysia consists of universality of culture performances performed by various communities in Malaysia such as Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban and many else. For more than 400 performers, show casting diverse cultural-immersed street performance and street parade.

Besides, there are also musical performance from almost every ethnic group in Malaysia. Want to know more about Malaysia? Mark your calendar as this will be the festival to get you more into it.

  1. September: Mid-Autumn Festival

Mid-Autumn Festival is the second important festival for Chinese community in Malaysia. Normally falls between the second week of September and second week of October, this remarkable festival is referred as the celebration of unity.

Why it is concerned about unity? The Chinese believes that a full moon symbolise unity between family and among other people, where there is a saying ‘yue yuan ren tuan yuan’. So what do local Chinese in Malaysia eat or do during this remarkable festival? Moon cakes are definitely cannot be missed! There are a variety of moon cakes easily available at every shopping mall or town.

Also Read : Celebrating Mid Autumn Festival with Time-Honored Mooncake In Johor

If you want something more traditional, try out cooked taro and glutinous rice ball which available mostly home cooked. Glutinous rice ball is slowly phasing away during this festival. However, this desserts symbolize ‘Yuen man’ which means unity within family members.

There is a fruit you might not want to miss as it is only easily available during this festival, the pomelo. Similar to the size of Durian, its soft skin is easy to peel and its flesh is sweet and refreshing. If you are lucky to find red fleshed pomelo, it will be sweeter compare to normal white fleshed pomelo.

Similar to Chinese New Year and other festival, shopping mall in Malaysia will also set up massive decorations to attract more business and some were really spectacular. If you notice, there will be lots of booth selling moon cakes with a variety of flavors and also lanterns ranging from plastic to traditional paper made with lots of attracting designs.

Your little ones will be delighted to have fun with paper lanterns while you take them for a walk. Although this tradition is phasing out almost completely because of technology gadgets, it is still carried on to ensure the tradition never dies.

In some shopping mall or Chinese organisations, there will be even Chinese lantern making contest. Mid-Autumn Festival is really a relaxing festival where you can spend your time with your family members enjoying the full moon while eating these traditional delicacies.

 

  1. October: Hari Raya Haji

For non-Muslims, you might be wondering why there are two Hari Rayas and why Hari Raya Haji is sufficient to be declared as a public holiday in Malaysia. So what is Hari Raya Haji? According to the tradition of Muslims, they must make a visit to Mecca at least once a lifetime if you have no financial and physical constraints.

This unique visit to Mecca is for the haj pilgrimage event. The title Haji will be given to men and Hajjah to women after the pilgrimage. In the end, Hari Raya Haji is celebrated by Muslims as it marks the end of pilgrimage.

So what will be the rituals or events being take placed during this remarkable festival? They include a holy ritual, which is walking anti-clockwise around the cube structure covered in black cloth for around seven times. Besides, there are also devotees kissing the black stone at the corner of Ka’abah, drink from the Zam Zam well, and many else.

Muslims will also have their hair shaved and most importantly, an animal will be sacrificed. Animal used for this scarification is normally cows or goats. This scarification took place because of the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son, Ismail, as a respect sign to God. However, his son’s life was spared at the very last minutes and replaced by a cow.

In Malaysia, prayers will be made and scarification of animal takes place in almost every mosque and even in home. Portion of the meat will be reserved for own family members while the remains will be distributed to friends, relatives or even neighbours. Since Hari Raya Haji is celebrated for the commemoration of sacrifices made by Prophet Ibrahim, this unique festival strengthen the bond between citizens in Malaysia, especially through the part of sharing food from slaughtering.

Compare to Hari Raya Aidilfitri which is more on new clothes, cookies and delicacies, Hari Raya Haji will be a quieter and more harmony festival.

 

  1. November: Deepavali

Deepavali or Diwali is celebrated by Hindu community not only in Malaysia, but also other countries in Asia including India, Myanmmar, Mauritus, and many else. In Malaysia, Deepavali is celebrated just like Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Aidilfitiri.

What comes up in your mind during this remarkable festival? Since Malaysia is a countries where many different religious community live in harmony, it is also a festival celebrated not only by Hindus but as well as Muslims and Chinese.

One week before Deepavali starts, Hindus will have their home cleaned from top to bottom. There will be Kolam throughout the countries in Malaysia not only in Hindu homes, but also shopping malls and even restaurants. Kolam is a Hindu tradition which thought to bring prosperity. Early in dust, women will start to draw kolams with white rice flour.

If you are wondering, this art performed will be blown by wind and even washed by rain, they did this every morning to ensure prosperity is blessed. Why is Kolam being drew? In ancient times, kolam is used to attract ants and other beings to eat it so that they will not disturb the meal of the family. It is a harmony act which welcome other beings into their home, celebrating this unique festival with joy.

Besides, every homes of Hindu in Malaysia will be lit with clay lamps. Clay lamps is filled with oil and lighted overnight, symbolizing the good over evil. Upon dawn, Hindus will perform prayer ritual which they will bath themselves using oil. This act is believed to wash off the evil from body and soul. After that, clothes will be put on and prayers will be made in home or in temple.

Malaysia is a place where you can enjoy foods and delicacies made from different community. While during Deepavali, you can enjoy tantalizing snacks such as Muruku, Laddu, Omopadi and many else. Most of the Hindus with no financial constraints will even set up open house which welcome neighbor, friends and relatives to dine in together.

Just like any other festival held in Malaysia, Deepavali is indeed an occasion where people can sit down and have a cool conversation between each other. Children and adults working in outstation will take trip back to their hometown just to gather with their family members.

 

  1. December: Christmas

In Malaysia, Christmas is celebrated not only by Christians but also other communities as well, don’t get surprised if you find out Christmas spirit is spread among all Malaysians. All of Malaysians celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve. Compare to other festivals in Malaysia, this festival can only be described using the word majestic and beautiful.

Why? This is the time when every shopping malls in Malaysia have massive decorations. Especially in large sized shopping malls such as Pavillion Kuala Lumpur or Quuensbay Penang, Christmas tree may range as tall as 6 storey high, decorated with thousands of baubles, candy cane and angels.

During this remarkable festival, shopping malls will take opportunity by offering massive discounts and even year-end sales. Many people will flock to shopping malls not only because of the sales but to immerse themselves in this Christmas spirit.

Although Malaysia is a country where it is impossible to have snow, shopping malls will still prepare artificial snow using either polystyrene or soap bubble to get the spirit hyped-up. Guess what, these decorations is not repeated every year, enjoyed different view of Christmas annually here in Malaysia!

When the clock strikes 12am, there will be fireworks being set at some locations throughout Malaysia. Some town will have Christmas walk together with Santa Claus. Exchange gift session will be take places in small town or even every Christian family. Not only that, colleague or friend of non-Christian will also have present exchange to celebrate this festival with joy.

While some will take this opportunity to spend time with their beloved on a vacation. Nice spots to be visited during Christmas includes islands in Malaysia and cold climate such as Cameron Highland and Genting Highland.

You may also want to read: [Updated] Full Lists of Shopping Mall in Johor Bahru

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