Festival
Malaysia is a melting pot of cultures. Malaysian culture is multi-faceted, each of these facets is adorned with a festival of its own. Festivals in Malaysia are celebrated with much splendour and enthusiasm. Malaysians have embraced each and every culture with open arms, and this is why they celebrate festivals from across the world with so much exuberance.
HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI
Marking the end of the Ramadan (the month of fasting), Hari Raya Puasa is considered as the most important Muslim festival in Malaysia. The day is celebrated with prayers, and open houses allow Muslims to share food with their family members and the rest of the community; the best of Malay cuisine is offered to loved ones and guests to mark the end of the fasting month. Children and the elderly are given gifts of money in green packets (similar to the Chinese ang-poh)
Malay Festival
CHINESE FESTIVAL
CHINESE NEW YEAR
This is the time when Malaysia turns red. All the Chinese living in Malaysia decorate their houses and streets with traditional red decorations, they do so in order to ward off evil spirits. As a part of the 15 day long celebration lion and dragon dances accompanied by fireworks are performed across Malaysia. Family get together, cooking of numerous dishes on the same day, and decorating houses are a few things that happen during the Chinese New Year.
MOON FESTIVAL
The Moon festival takes place in early October. It is also known as the "Mid-Autumn Festival". Except the Chinese New Year there is no more important festival for the Chinese population world wide.
Traditionally, on this day, Chinese family members and friends will gather to admire the bright mid-autumn harvest moon, and eat moon cakes and pomeloes together.
In China it is one of the National Holidays and therefore very busy. In Malaysia the festival is mostly celebrated with the family, eating moon cake (here's more about mooncake). Other parts of the celebration can be lion dances, especially in Penang where the population is more Chinese.
INDIAN FESTIVAL
DEEPAVALI
Deepavali is the festival of light though the most significant spiritual meaning is "the awareness of the inner light". It is a 5 days festival usually held between October 13 and November 14. It is a National Holiday in many countries including Malaysia.
As most of the Indians in Malaysia are Tamils from the south, the actual day of the festivities is the third day. Hindus wake up well before dawn, as early as two in the morning, have a fragrant oil bath and wear new clothes. They light small lamps all around the house and draw elaborate kolams / rangolis outside their homes.
It is believed that taking a bath before sunrise, when the stars are still visible in the sky is equivalent to taking a bath in the holy Ganges.
The best way to experience Deepavali is to be with some Indian friends. Many households will have extensive dishes prepared and will visit relatives.
Although Deepavali is not an extravert festival as Thaipusam, it is a great festival to get in touch with the local Indian culture. And as said, the best way to visit Indian families.
THAIPUSAM
Thaipusam is largely celebrated by the Tamil community in Malaysia. Thai means the month and Pusam means star, Thaipusam is celebrated in January / February when the star is at its highest. The celebrations in Malaysia start off by visiting the Sri Mahamariamman Temple and proceeds to the Batu Caves. This festival sees a footfall of over a million devotees from across the globe. Some devotees go to an extent of piercing their bodies and carrying sacrificial burdens called Kavadis to beseech their blessings.
