MALAYSIA: AN OVERVIEW OF CULTURES, MPU 1313

LANGUAGES, FESTIVALS AND FOOD! MS. ZAREEN

 Religions of Malaysian
The Malaysian constitution guarantees religious
freedom
Islam is the largest and official religion of
Malaysia
Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism are common
too
Some Malaysian do practice Confucianism
and Taoism
Languages spoken by Malaysians
The National Language, Bahasa Malaysia
which translates as the "Malaysian language
English is the second language
Tamil and Chinese are commonly used too
 Basics
MALAY English
Saya I/ Me
Kamu You
Makan Eat
Minum Drink
Suka Like
Cinta Love
Cantik Pretty
Tampan Handsome
Comel Cute
 Names
MALAY ENGLISH
Abang Elder Brother /
Husband
Kakak Elder Sister
Adik Younger sister/brother
Bapa Father
Ibu Mother
Cikgu Teacher
Encik Mr.
Cik Mrs.
 Try this! (boys and girls)
KAMU SANGAT CANTIK ( You are so Pretty!)
TERIMA KASIH ( Thank You!)
KAMU SANGAT TAMPAN (You are so Handsome!)
TERIMA KASIH ( Thank You!)

(Greeting Your Teacher)

Selamat Pagi, Cikgu. ( Good Morning, Teacher)
Selamat Pagi, Semua ( Good Morning Everyone)
Lets Sing! RASA SAYANG(Msian Folk Song)

RASA SAYANG EH
RASA SAYANG SAYANG EH
HEI LIHAT NONA JAUH
RASA SAYANG SAYANG EH
TRADITIONAL
COSTUMES
Wedding costumes of various races
Malay costume Chinese costume Indian costume
 MALAYSIAN FOOD
Ais Kacang Curry Mee Maggie Goreng Roti Bakar
Agar-agar Dai Bao Mee Goreng Roti Bom
Apom Dim Sum Mee Rebus Roti Canai
Ayam Tandoori Eu Char Koay Mee Siam Roti John
Bak Kut Teh Fu Chok Yi Mai Naan Satay
Ban Mee Haa Mee Nasi Briyani Soto
Belacan Hokkien Mee Nasi Dagang Sambal
Bubur Hor Fun Nasi Kandar Sup Ekor
Bubur Cha Cha Ikan Bakar Nasi Lemak Tau Fu Fa
Cendol Jawa Mee Nasi Pataya Thosai
Chee Cheong Fun Kaya Otak-otak Ulam
Chai Tau Kuah Keropok Lekor Pandan Kuih Wan Tan Mee
Char Koay Teow Ketupat Pisang Goreng Yau Zha Guay
Char Kuih Laksa Rojak Yong Tau Fu
Chicken Rice Lobak Rojak Mee Yu Tao Mai
MALAY FOOD
 NASI LEMAK ()
A popular breakfast made of coconut milk rice served with
sambal ikan bilis (anchovies) and slices of hard boil egg and
cucumber.
Chicken, squid or even beef is added for better satisfaction.
 SATAY ()

Marinated meat being barbecued over the charcoal.

The peanut sauce is a must as companion.
Some would also like to be served with onions, cucumbers
and even ketupat, a rice cube wrapped with palm leaves.
CHINESE FOOD
 CHAR KUEY TEOW ()
The name of the dish came from the Hokkien which means fried
kuey teow, a type of noodles.
Ingredients such as prawns, fishcake slices, cockles, eggs or even
Chinese sausage can be found inside.
But, the dish is vary from one place to another.
 HAINANESE CHICKEN RICE
Hainanese Chicken Rice is cooked with chicken stock and
topped with steamed chicken! The specialty of the dish is the
chicken meat where the smoothness and juiciness remains!
Dipping the meat into the chillies or ginger served is even
nicer!
Chicken Riceball
 PRAWN MEE
Prawn Mee or Noodles is served with rich flavored stock
made of shrimp. Prawns are must referring to the name of the
dish! Also, sliced pork and fishcakes and bean sprout are
included. Topping with fried spring onion could enriched the
taste better.
BAK KUT TEH ()
Bak Kut Teh is originated from the Hokkien word
which means herbal soup served with pork.
A bowl of white rice is the best companion to it!
Bak means meat ()
Kut means bone ()
Teh means tea ()
INDIAN FOOD
 BANANA LEAF RICE
Banana Leaf Rice is served on banana leaf with dishes like
fried fish, fried chicken, vegetables or anything that the
consumer likes. The banana leaf is used as a plate and to
provide the fragrance to the rice.
 NASI KANDAR ()
Nasi Kandar is one of the Penang specialty.
Rice is being served with a wide variety of food from
vegetables to meat to seafood.
It is a meal of steamed rice which can be plain or mildly
flavored, and served with a variety of curries and side dishes.
 ROTI CANAI ()
Roti Canai , the Indian pancake resembles local fried
pancake which is made from dough
has wide variety of topping such as eggs, sardines, banana
and anything you can named it
Best served with Dhall, curry or even only white sugar
 ROTI TISU ()
Roti Tissue is a much thinner version of traditional Roti canai,
almost as thin as a piece of tissue.
The finishing touches to Roti Tissue require skill, and they
depend on the creativity of the person who makes it.
Roti tissue is sometimes coated with sweet substances, like
sugar and kaya (malaysian jam made from coconut and sugar).
It is now a delicious dessert.

kaya
TEH TARIK
 GAMES, ARTS AND SPORTS

Gasing Lion Dance

()

Chinese opera

Congkak ()
WAU () means kite in Malay.

is an intricately designed Malaysian moon-kite (normally with floral

motifs) that is traditionally flown by men in the Malaysian state of
Kelantan.
It's one of Malaysia's national symbols, along some others being the
keris and hibiscus.
 MARTIAL ARTS Silambam weapon-based
Indian martial art
Silat- Malay martial art of
Keris self-defense

Chinese martial art

 Chinese traditional
Malay traditional musical instruments musical instruments

MUSIC
Indian traditional musical instruments
 Malaysia has a Formula One track, the
Sepang International Circuit.
It runs for 310.408 km, and held its first
Grand Prix in 2000.

SPORTS
Popular sports in Malaysia
include badminton,
bowling, football, squash
and field hockey.
Nicole David
World No.1
Squash Female
Player
Lee Chong Wei
World No.1
Badminton Player
Prime Minister of Malaysia
Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak
Sheikh Muszaphar
Shukor

1st Astronaut of
Malaysia
 FESTIVALS
AND
CELEBRATIONS

Malaysia is a colorful country not only for its

exotic beauty and amazing culture, but also of
the many festivals that are celebrated by
Malaysians.
 Hari Raya Puasa
After a month of fasting during the month of Ramadan,
Muslims celebrate the first day of Syawal (which is also the
beginning of the 10th month of the Muslim calendar Syawal.)
Fasting during the month of Ramadhan is compulsory
,whereby Muslims are required to abstain from satisfying their
most basic needs and urges, daily, between sunrise and
sunset.i.e they are not allow to eat during day time .
It is also time for family reunion
Urbanites make their annual pilgrimage to their hometowns (this is
popularly referred to as balik kampung), to be with parents, relatives
and old friends
 Before the Festival
Before the big day, excitement mounts as
the house is readied for the celebration
with new furnishing and decorations
Food Preparation
The ketupat (packed rice, rice that has been
wrapped in a woven palm leaf pouch and
boiled)
lemang (glutinous rice cooked in bamboo
tubes),
serunding (desiccated coconut fried with
chilli)
 During The Big Day
The Muslim community ushers in the first day of Aidilfitri by
congregating at mosques for morning prayers
Followed by a visit to the cemetery where deceased loved ones
Hari raya is known as the day A time to forgive and forget past
quarrels
Asking for pardon is done in order of seniority
The younger members of a family approach their elders (parents,
grandparents etc) to seek forgiveness,salam (Muslim equivalent of
a handshake), then kiss the hands of the older person as a sign of
respect.
Men are usually dressed in Baju Melayu, while the Baju Kurung,
the quintessential Malay attire for females
 Chinese New Year
(1st day of Lunar Calendar)
To the Chinese, the most important
festival is Chinese New Year
Celebrated on the first day of the
Chinese Lunar Calendar - Same with
Koreans Seollal ()
Each year is named after one of the 12 animals
according to the Chinese Zodiac
A time for family to reunion
 The Origin of CNY :

NIAN
(monster)
Fire Crackers

Red Colour
 CNY Food

Mandarin oranges: Tangerines and oranges are given as gifts,

as their Chinese names sound like "gold" and "wealth"
Nian Gao: a sticky rice pudding cake which is said to make
people "advance toward higher positions and prosperity step
by step.
Yee Sang : simple mixture of thin slices of raw fish, shredded
vegetables, herbs and sauces. (meaning an increase in
abundance)
 Deepavali
This is a Deepavali is a major festival of the Hindus known as
festival of light.
Celebrate the marks the triumph of good over evil, the victory of
light over dark.
Homes of Hindus are lit with little lights
On the Deepavali eve, prayers are held both at home and in the
temples.
In anticipation of the celebration, homes as well as their
surrounding areas are cleaned from top to bottom; decorative
designs such as the kolam are drawn or placed on floors and walls.
Deepavali is the day to savor the many delicious Indian delicacies
such as sweetmeats, rice puddings and the ever-popular Murukku.
 Thaipusam
THAIPUSAM is celebrated by
Hindus on the tenth month of
the Hindus calendar.
It is a celebration of the
birthday of Lord Subramanian
Before this day, Hindus
usually prepare themselves
by fasting, dieting on certain
food and maintaining self-
discipline.
 Other Festivals
Wesak Day Buddhas birthday
Celebrate around May
similar to Koreans
Mid Autumn Festival (Mooncake Festival)
The 15th day of the 8th month of Lunar calendar
()
Carrying brightly lit lanterns
Eating mooncake
 Christmas Day (25th Dec)
The observance of the birth of Jesus Christ on Dec 25 is
celebrated in Malaysia like everywhere else in the world
it is a time for family and friends; hope and rejoicing; love
and understanding; and giving and forgiving
The birth of Christ is celebrated by Christians in Malaysia in
the true traditional style.
Most Christians homes are decorated with festoon and
colored lights and the Christmas tree is a must!
Merdeka Day Independence Day (31stAug) is the national
day of Malaysia commemorating the independence of
the Federation of Malaya from British colonial rule
THANK YOU.. =)