KIIRTHIKA FOLIO 1

7/30/2019 KIIRTHIKA FOLIO 1

1/7

v

FESTIVALS OF MALAYSIA

Malaysia is a country of multi-ethnic society practising multi-culturalismand multi-religion. Each ethnic group practises its own religion and beliefwhich means various festivals are celebrated throughout the year. Thesefestivals are usually celebrated either nationwide or at state level. "Openhouse" concept is practised almost all the festivals, which means invitingrelatives and friends to partake in the food and festivity occasion. Someof these festivals are public holidays.

Thaipusam

Celebrated by Hindus on the tenth month of the Hindus calendar. It isbelieved on this day the stars, Pusan and Brihaspati are united into one.It is a celebration of the birthday of Lord Subramaniam, also known asLord Muruga, the youngest son of Lord Shiva. Before this day, Hindususually prepare themselves by fasting, dieting on certain food andmaintaining self-discipline. A huge procession of penitents in anatmosphere electric with drumming and chanting. Skewers fastened metalhooks, spikes on their body including tongues, cheeks and nipples defyingall sense of pain. A fire walking ceremony is also demonstrated in sometemples.

CHINESE NEW YEAR

Celebrated on the first day of the Chinese Lunar Calendar, this is the mostimportant annual festival for the Chinese community. Each year is named

after one of the 12 animals according to the Chinese Zodiac.Houses arecleaned and decorated to prepare for the big day.


2/7

v

Debts are settled, prayers and offerings are made. New clothesare bought and plenty of food are prepared.

Family members from far come back for the gathering. New year

cards are exchanged between friends and relatives. A reuniondinner for the family is held on the eve of the new year.Bad language andunpleasant topics are discouraged.

There are lion dances and small fire works. Red papershowing Chinese characters of prosperity and wealth arepasted either in front or inside the house. Ang-Pow or redpacket containing money is given out to children and elderly.Open house is practised for visiting relatives and friends withvarious ethnic races. The new year is lasted for fifteen days

which the concentration is on the first three days. Thecelebration ends with the Chap Goh Mei on the fifteenth day.

Chinese New Year is the first Chinese festival in Malaysia inthe year. It is one of the most important events for the Chinese people allaround the world.Chinese New Year falls on different dates each year, adate between January 21 and February 20, because the Chinese followthe Lunar Calendar.

WESAK DAY

Celebrated around May by Buddhists which marks three momentous

events in Buddha's life - his birthday, enlightenment, and achievement of

Nirvana. The celebration begins at dawn when devotees gathering at the

temples to meditate on the Eight Precepts. Donations, giving food to the

needy, offerings of incense, joss sticks and prayers are carried out. The
http://www.regit.com/malaysia/festival/cgohmei.htmhttp://www.regit.com/malaysia/festival/cgohmei.htmhttp://www.regit.com/malaysia/festival/cgohmei.htm


3/7

v

sutras are chanted in unison by monks in saffron robes. The celebration is

highlighted by a candle procession.

RAMADAN /HARI RAYA PUASA

Malaysia is a Muslim country. Every year the Muslims celebrate theRamadan, the month of fasting. Muslims are not allowed to eat fromsunrise to sunset.

Celebrated by the Muslims signifies the end of the fasting season ofRamadan for a month. The celebration is determined by sighting of thenew moon. This is the most significant celebration for the Muslims.Muslims starts the day by congregating in the mosques early in themorning to perform Hari Raya Puasa prayers followed by visits to thegraves of the departed.

This festive occasion is greeted with great joy, the young will ask forforgiveness from their elders and everyone will put on new clothes. Openhouse or invitation for relatives and friends to come to their house ispractised. Plenty of traditional Malay delicacies are served during thisfestive season. Houses are thoroughly cleaned and decorated with thelighting of oil lamps to welcome the angels which is believed to be visitingthe earth during the seven days preceding the festivall. The celebration

lasts for a month which the celebration is concentrated in the first threedays.

HAPPY DEEPAVALI
http://www.google.com.my/imgres?q=hari+raya+aidilfitri+picture&hl=en&biw=771&bih=25076&tbm=isch&tbnid=hMxn6QOi0XQw8M:&imgrefurl=http://ekmsa.wordpress.com/2009/09/&docid=uLfp9R9oXF4TdM&imgurl=http://ekmsa.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/rayamypic.jpg&w=400&h=300&ei=Za1WUJKkFsb4rQfU4oCADg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=114&vpy=2&dur=812&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=179&ty=115&sig=114576511148028833655&page=1&tbnh=158&tbnw=211&start=0&ndsp=99&ved=1t:429,r:30,s:0,i:171


4/7

v

Celebrated on the Hindu month of Kartik in October / November. It is alsocalled the Festivals of Lights. The celebration symbolises the victory ofLord Krishna over the demon king Narakasura. It marks the return ofRama after 14 years of exile. On this day, the Hindu wake up at dawn,bathe themselves in herbal oil, put on new clothes, and say their prayers.Homes of the Hindus are lit with little oil lamps made from clay pots filledwith coconut oil and wicks. This is believed to invite Lakshmi, the goddessof wealth who will not enter an unlit house.

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. The best way to experience

Deepavali is to be with some Indian friends. Many households will have

extensive dishes prepared and will visit relatives.

The Nine Emperor Gods

It's an amazing festival that starts with bringing the gods to the temple.During the period of the festival, many different activities can be

experienced including firewalk, skewing with a 9 foot spear and the returnfrom heaven to earth of the spirits of nine Emperors who are worshipedas one deity known as Mazu the Taoist goddess of the sea and queen ofheaven who represents health, wealth and prosperity.

The Nine Emperor Gods are part of a spirit-medium cult known locallyasJieu Hwang Yeh. These nine deities are believed to dwell in the stars inheaven under the reign of Mazu.

Awal Muharram


5/7

v

Celebrated by Muslims as the day symbolises two happy event in aMuslim's life. The start of Muslim year or calendar, Muharram, coincideswith Prophet Muhammad's journey from Mecca to Medina on the first ofMuharram in 622AD. To signify this occasion, Muslims attend to variousreligious activities, spiritual singing, religious meeting throughout the

country. AWAL MUHARRAM is also celebrated by Muslims. This day symbolizestwo happy events in a Muslim's life. The start of Muslim year or calendar, Muharram,coincides with Prophet Muhammad's journey from Mecca to Medina on the first ofMuharram in 622AD. To signify this occasion, Muslims attend to various religiousactivities, spiritual singing, and religious meeting throughout the country.

CHAP GOH MEI

CHAP GOH MEI means the 15th night of Chinese New year in Hokkien dialect. It iscelebrated with prayers and offerings to mark the end of the Chinese New Year.

Houses are again brightly decorated with lights for the last day of the celebration.

HARVEST FESTIVAL

Harvest Festival is celebrated by the Kadazan of Sabah each May with thanksgivingdedicated to the rice gods. Agricultural shows, exhibitions, cultural programs, buffalo

races, and other traditional games are held.. There is much merrymaking andfeasting with rice wine flowing freely throughout the festivities.

HARI GAWAI


6/7

v

Hari Gawai is celebrated by the Dayaks or Ibans of Sarawak for a week marking theend of the paddy harvesting season and the beginning of the new planting season.There is singing, dancing and considerable drinking of tuak or rice wine in the local

longhouses. The Ibans working outside their village returned to the villagefor the celebration. There are plenty of food and certainly not shortage ofentertainment and wine in the local way.

HUNGRY GHOSTS FESTIVAL

Hungry Ghosts Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month by

Buddhists and Taoists. Bundle of joss sticks, paper hell money, and food placed on

the street corner and roadsides are burnt to appease the dead spirit from entering

their home and cause disturbance in their household.

MOON CAKE - LANTERN FESTIVAL

Known also the mid-autumn festival which falls on the 15th day of the

eighth Chinese Lunar Calendar. This is a historical festival rather than a

religious one. It marks the successul rebellion against the Mongol ruler

dated back in 14th century China. Legend has indicated that the secret

about a plot against the Mongolians was hidden inside the mooncake and

the mooncake was distributed widely. Lanterns were used at night as

signals from higher grounds and hilltop. Today, this festival is celebrated

with moon cakes and latern hanging on the house. The lantern and the


7/7

v

moon cakes have attracted many children and adults attention. In certain

area, lantern procession and competition are held.

HAR RAYA HAJI

Hari Raya Haji is celebrated by the Muslims on the tenth day of the last month of theMuslim calendar.This is an occasion celebrated marking the conclusion of the annualHajj - the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, when the pilgrims are given the nameof Haji for men and Hajjah for women. Thanksgiving prayers are offered in themosques. An animal is sacrificed whose meat is distributed among the relatives andthe poor.

MERRY KRISMAS

Celebrated by Christian on the 25th of December marking the birth ofJesus Christ. It is celebrated by non-christian in some other ways as well.It is a family gathering occassion starting with a midnight masson Christmas Eve followed by Christmas Day celebration the next day.Legend has it that the Santa Claus brings presents for people at nightduring the christmas eve. Exchange of gifts are popular. Roast turkey is acommon and traditional dish.

Documents

KIIRTHIKA FOLIO 1