Malaysian Culture
Ethnic groups
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Malaysia is composed mostly of the indigenous people, Malaysians, Indians, and of people of Chinese descent. Malaysians make up 67.4% of the population, with Chinese following behind making up 24.6% of the population, and Indians making up 7.3% of the population. In order to understand the statistics, you need to look at Malaysian history.
Malaysia was occupied by British forces officially from 1824 to 1842. The British imported rubber plants and grew them for profit in Malaysia. However, the British did not view the Malaysians as top quality workers. Their solution was to import workers from India to come and work in the industry. The work there attracted many people from Southern China, and there was a huge migration. The indigenous Malaysians and Chinese got along until the invasion of Japan during world war two. The Malaysians generally supported the Japanese, and the Japanese mistreated the Chinese, which led to tensions between Malaysian and Chinese peoples. Even today the tension between Malaysians and Chinese people remains, partially because of the Malaysian fear of a Chinese takeover. However, even with the tensions there are plenty of cases of intermarriage, creating a large group of Malaysian Chinese people.
The Chinese integration into Malaysia has changed society in general. It has affected their food, generally resulted on spicier takes on classic Chinese dishes. Many Malaysian dishes are cooked in the Cantonese Chinese cooking style. Music is influenced by the Chinese. Many buildings have a Chinese style architecture. Many Chinese holidays are celebrated in Malaysia. The culture of China has combined with that of the natives and created an entirely new culture in Malaysia.
Malaysia was occupied by British forces officially from 1824 to 1842. The British imported rubber plants and grew them for profit in Malaysia. However, the British did not view the Malaysians as top quality workers. Their solution was to import workers from India to come and work in the industry. The work there attracted many people from Southern China, and there was a huge migration. The indigenous Malaysians and Chinese got along until the invasion of Japan during world war two. The Malaysians generally supported the Japanese, and the Japanese mistreated the Chinese, which led to tensions between Malaysian and Chinese peoples. Even today the tension between Malaysians and Chinese people remains, partially because of the Malaysian fear of a Chinese takeover. However, even with the tensions there are plenty of cases of intermarriage, creating a large group of Malaysian Chinese people.
The Chinese integration into Malaysia has changed society in general. It has affected their food, generally resulted on spicier takes on classic Chinese dishes. Many Malaysian dishes are cooked in the Cantonese Chinese cooking style. Music is influenced by the Chinese. Many buildings have a Chinese style architecture. Many Chinese holidays are celebrated in Malaysia. The culture of China has combined with that of the natives and created an entirely new culture in Malaysia.
Religions
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Malaysia is a very multi-cultural and multi-racial country. Religions such as Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Daoism, Confucianism and Christianity are practiced in Malaysia. These different beliefs and practices have made Malaysia a highly diverse and ethnic country.
About 58 percent of the total population of Malaysia practice Islam. In fact, most of the followers of Islam are Malays. About 27 percent of the people of Malaysia are Buddhist. Hinduism is also present in the community. About 8% of Malays are Hindu. Hinduism is mainly practiced by the Indian population in Malaysia. 9 percent of the population practice Christianity, Daoism, Confucianism, and Sikhism. Because there are so many different religions practiced in Malaysia there are numerous mosques, shrines, churches and temples all over the country.
The right to practice any religion has been guaranteed by the constitution of the country.
About 58 percent of the total population of Malaysia practice Islam. In fact, most of the followers of Islam are Malays. About 27 percent of the people of Malaysia are Buddhist. Hinduism is also present in the community. About 8% of Malays are Hindu. Hinduism is mainly practiced by the Indian population in Malaysia. 9 percent of the population practice Christianity, Daoism, Confucianism, and Sikhism. Because there are so many different religions practiced in Malaysia there are numerous mosques, shrines, churches and temples all over the country.
The right to practice any religion has been guaranteed by the constitution of the country.
Arts & Music
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Traditional Malaysian art is centered around carving, weaving, and silversmithing. The Malaysian art of woodcarving is a very ritualized task. Traditional woodcarvers spend years preparing wood, which is due to a belief that wood has to match the buyer. Woodcarvers tend to make wooden masks, which are very famous in the continent of Asia, and also ornaments for numerous items like doors and window panels.
Other Malaysian arts include making ornamental kris, which are a daggers with a wavy blade, and betel nut sets. Malaysia very well known for the Songkets they produce, which are hand-woven fabrics made out of colorful and patterned batik (dyed fabrics). A very famous form of art in Malaysia is Wayang kulit, which is a shadow puppet theatre. This form of art has been famous for centuries now. The puppets are made out of cow and buffalo skin and are carved and painted by hand.
Malaysian music is centered around percussion instruments, which explains why there are over 14 different types of traditional drums used in Malaysian music. All of the percussion instruments used are made out of natural items, like shells. Music in Malyasia is mainly used for storytelling, and was once a form of long-distance communication.
The people of Malaysia have two very distinct forms of traditional orchestras: the gamelan, and the nobat. The gamelan orchestras play melodies using gongs and string instruments, while the nobat orchestras use wind instruments to create solemn music. The popular music in Malaysia is a mix of all the ethnicities found in the country. However, the government controls the music available in Malaysia because they believe that certain types of music are bad influences on youth. Rap music is heavily criticized, heavy metal has been limited, and foreign bands are required to sumbit a recording of a recent concert or a CD before actually playing a concert in Malaysia.
Other Malaysian arts include making ornamental kris, which are a daggers with a wavy blade, and betel nut sets. Malaysia very well known for the Songkets they produce, which are hand-woven fabrics made out of colorful and patterned batik (dyed fabrics). A very famous form of art in Malaysia is Wayang kulit, which is a shadow puppet theatre. This form of art has been famous for centuries now. The puppets are made out of cow and buffalo skin and are carved and painted by hand.
Malaysian music is centered around percussion instruments, which explains why there are over 14 different types of traditional drums used in Malaysian music. All of the percussion instruments used are made out of natural items, like shells. Music in Malyasia is mainly used for storytelling, and was once a form of long-distance communication.
The people of Malaysia have two very distinct forms of traditional orchestras: the gamelan, and the nobat. The gamelan orchestras play melodies using gongs and string instruments, while the nobat orchestras use wind instruments to create solemn music. The popular music in Malaysia is a mix of all the ethnicities found in the country. However, the government controls the music available in Malaysia because they believe that certain types of music are bad influences on youth. Rap music is heavily criticized, heavy metal has been limited, and foreign bands are required to sumbit a recording of a recent concert or a CD before actually playing a concert in Malaysia.
Holidays
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Because of Malaysia’s diverse culture, there are many different holidays that are celebrated in the country. Malaysia has one of the highest numbers of public holidays. But in general, there are two different types of holidays that Malaysia acknowledges. Holidays are divided between the state level and the national level. The federal government or private associations celebrate national level holidays. And different states in the country have their own holidays.
There are many religions that are practiced in the country of Malaysia. But some secular holidays include “Hari Kebangsaan” which is their Independence Day (August 31). Labor Day (May 1) and the King’s Birthday (June 1) are some national holidays that are celebrated. Starting in 2010, a new holiday called “Malaysia Day” was celebrated. That holiday falls on the sixteenth of September. This holiday celebrates the formation of Malaysia.
The most prominent kinds of people in Malaysia include the people the practice Islam, Buddhism, and Hindu. Because a huge percent of Malaysia is Muslim, their holidays are popularly celebrated throughout the country. The most popular holiday is “Hari Raya Puasa” and this is celebrated as the end of Ramadan. Other Islamic holidays include, Islamic New Year, the Birthday of Prophet, and etc. Chinese Malaysians celebrate Chinese New Year, which lasts for 15 days. They also celebrate different festivals like the Dragon Boat Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival. Hindus in Malaysia holiday Diwali, which is the festival of the light. A lot of Indians and Indochinese celebrate many common holidays as well. A particular ethnic or religion group identifies the many different holidays celebrated in Malaysia.
There are many religions that are practiced in the country of Malaysia. But some secular holidays include “Hari Kebangsaan” which is their Independence Day (August 31). Labor Day (May 1) and the King’s Birthday (June 1) are some national holidays that are celebrated. Starting in 2010, a new holiday called “Malaysia Day” was celebrated. That holiday falls on the sixteenth of September. This holiday celebrates the formation of Malaysia.
The most prominent kinds of people in Malaysia include the people the practice Islam, Buddhism, and Hindu. Because a huge percent of Malaysia is Muslim, their holidays are popularly celebrated throughout the country. The most popular holiday is “Hari Raya Puasa” and this is celebrated as the end of Ramadan. Other Islamic holidays include, Islamic New Year, the Birthday of Prophet, and etc. Chinese Malaysians celebrate Chinese New Year, which lasts for 15 days. They also celebrate different festivals like the Dragon Boat Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival. Hindus in Malaysia holiday Diwali, which is the festival of the light. A lot of Indians and Indochinese celebrate many common holidays as well. A particular ethnic or religion group identifies the many different holidays celebrated in Malaysia.