 | Malaysia Local Customs | Tips 11 - 20 of 247 |  |
Popular Local Customs | Miscellaneous Local Customs Tips | All Tips (247)
Based on the phases of the moon, the Chinese New Year occurs between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, usually during mid-January to mid-February.
Celebrated by the Chinese community throughout the world, the festivities is celebrated for 3 days by the busy urban Chinese workers, but as a whole, is celebrated for 15 days.
On the Eve of the New Year, all family members, including those away from home, are expected to gather for the annual reunion dinner. The first day of the New Year is usually spent visiting close family members and relatives. It is the practice of elders and married couples to give children and the unmarried angpow - little red packets containing ' lucky money'.
The third day is called the ' Squabble Day ' and is said that if one visits a friend on this day, one would quarrel or squabble with the person during this year.
According to tradition, the God of Wealth is welcomed into the household on the fifth day so as to ensure good fortune all year round. The seventh day, said to be the day mankind was created, is deemed ' Everyone's Birthday '.
The Cantonese, mainly in Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Singapore, observe this raw and fresh creation by eating raw fish salad called yue sang. The eighth and ninth day are devoted to the worship of the God of Heaven and the Jade Emperor. Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy is also offered prayers on New Years Eve, the 9th day and the 15th day of the first moon.
Chinese delicacies and drinks are served and red angpows are given to the children .
On the fifth night, called Chap Goh Meh, the Hokkien community in Penang celebrates in a big way.
Unmarried women throw oranges into the sea to wish for good husbands amid much fun at the Esplande.
The Kek Kok Si Temple in Air Hitam, attracts the most pilgrims during the festivities. In Kuala Lumpur the City almost empties out.
The holidays offer the opportunity for both Chinese and non Chinese to return to their hometowns or go on holiday.
Leave a Comment |
 | |  |
Celebrated on the 15th day of the 7th Lunar month. On this day it is believed that the "Gates of Hell" are opened and that the dead return to visit their living relatives. The Chinese feel that they have to satisfy the imprisoned and hungry ghosts in order to get good fortune and luck in their lives.
Prayers are offered to the dead and offerings of food such as chicken, vegetables, fruits, bean curd and white rice are placed at street corners and roadsides to appease the spirits. This is believed to prevent the wandering spirits from entering their homes and causing disturbances in their households.
Offerings are also made by burning replica money notes, which are also known as ' hell money '. Some families also burn paper houses, cars and even paper television or radio sets to give to their dead relatives. The Chinese feel that these offerings reach the ghosts and help them live comfortably in their world. Leave a Comment |
For some Chinese family, a Taoist mirror of octagonal shape is placed above the door.
This is to ward away evil spirits from disturbing the household. Many Chinese also believe in fengshui as to where it best direction a house should face, the location of the bedroom and the bed's position.
If you see this above the door, you can be sure that family inside is a Chinese family who believe in Taoism and supersitious too. Chinese who are of some Buddhist sects or Christians will not have this symbol above their door. |
Malaysia is a multi-ethnic and mult-religious society and so when you go out to eat with Malaysians, you may want to ask about food restriction if any to avoid any misunderstanding.
For Muslims, food must be halal. Most hotels in Malaysia serve only halal food. There is a sign halal on packaged food and drinks. Restaurants and hawker centers run by Malays or Indian Muslim are halal only.
For some Chinese Buddhist and some Indians, beef is off the menu for religious and cultural reasons.
There are also strict vegetarians. So do not assume but ask first before inviting someone to dinner. |
Hindus celebrate Thaipusam on the tenth month of their calendar. It coincides with the full moon at the end of January and beginning of February 'Thai' is the Hindu month which falls between January 15 to February 15 and 'Pusam' refers to a star which is at its brightest during the period of this festival. Celebrated in all parts of the world where there is a concentration of South Indians, the manifestation of the festival is best witnessed at Batu Caves and Penang.
Leading up to the event, Hindus prepare themselves by fasting, praying and observing austerities.
Devotees carry offerings and climb the 272 steps to the main cave to seek forgiveness for past deeds or to thank Lord Muruga for wishes granted. Some devotees carry the Kavadi, a wooden arch with two pots of or honey at its end, decorated with peacock feathers.
Leave a Comment |
It seems in Malaysia, once a developer runs out of money, building just stops. This obviously happens a lot judging my the number of half finished buildings around the place. There is also little town planning. In some cases, we saw brand new developments 20 minutes from town while there were empty blocks in the city centre. Leave a Comment |
- Take off your shoes before entering houses or devotion places.
- Women should carry long clothes on visits of mosques.
- In a traditional Malay home, one may be seated on a floor mat. Males often sit cross-legged, while females place their legs together to one side, feet tucked away. When seated on chairs, it is not polite to cross legs or to expose soles of feet.
- You should not decline dinner or beverages, because for the local people it means to invite trouble.
- Traditionally, food is eaten with the right hand while the left hand is used for drinks. Hands are therefore washed before and after meals.
- It is not customary to take one’s leave immediately after a Malay meal, one should stay a short while before departing.
- Gifts are always nice and choosing carefully is important.
- When giving or receiving items, the right hand must be used, supported by the left hand if necessary. To use only the left hand is considered impolite. Leave a Comment |
| | |
Malaysian Ringgit was pegged at RM3.8 to a US dollar after the 1997 financial crisis but has since being floated.
The RM1000 bill and RM1 coin has been withdrawn and cannot be used. If you have them, you can change them at Bank Negara (National Bank).
The bills are RM100, RM50, RM10, RM5 (polymer), RM2, RM1. There are older versions of RM5 and RM1 still in circulation and can be used. The bills show the first Agong (Supreme Ruler) of Malaysia.
The coins are 50 sen, 20 sen, 10 sen, 5 sen and 1 sen. 1 Ringgit = 100 sen.
It has become a habit when you pay to be asked if you have exact change or smaller bill just like at McDonald (Do you want french fries?). If you do not have or rather keep some small change with you, just say "No". |
For some Hindu flats, a picture of the Hindu Diety Ganesha is placed over the door.
Ganesha has a body of person and a head of an elephant.
Also known as Lord of Succcess, the picture of Ganesha wil keep evils away and overcomne obstacles.
So if you see this picture over the door, you can be more or less certain that this is flat of of an Indian family who are Hindus even before the door is open. |
If you see this above the door, you will know that this is a home of a Muslim with a Quranic phrase in Arabic.
All Malays in Malaysia profess Islam. There is a sizeable number of Indian Community who are Muslim and are commonly known as "Mamak". Also there are Muslim converts of Chinese and other indigeneous communities of Malaysia.
So in Malaysia, all Malays are Muslim but not all Muslims are Malay. |
|
|
on January 19, 2004
on January 8, 2007
on September 16, 2003
on May 25, 2003
