3) PEOPLE

a. Population

(a) Demography

b. Ethnic Group

(a) Malays

(b) Chinese

(c) Indians

(d) Indigenous People

(e) Others

c. Languages and Dialects

d. Festivals

a. Population

(a) Demography

Click to listen the narration                         Video Clip

Jalur Gemilang! We love you! (Jalur Gemilang -Glorious Stripes is Malaysia's national flag).

From L-R: Three little girls - an Indian,a Malay and a Chinese, representing the three major races in modern Malaysia.

The population of Malaysia in 1998 was 22.23 million, comprising both citizens and non-citizens. For Malaysian citizens, the growth rate was 2.1 per cent per annum, while the non-citizen population increased by 0.6 per cent per annum during the period 1996-1998, mainly due to the inflow of foreign workers into the country.

Of the total population, Bumiputeras - comprising the Malays and other indigenous groups, constituted 62.3 per cent; the Chinese 26.8 per cent; and the Indians 7.6 per cent. A total of 62.1 per cent were in the working age group of 15-64 years, 34.2 percent below the age of 15, and 3.7 per cent 65 years and above. The median age was 23.1 years, reflecting a continuing young population.

In terms of spatial distribution, 59.1 per cent of the population lived in urban areas, growing at an average annual rate of 3.8 per cent. This increase was mainly due to rural-urban migration, growth of new urban areas and the extension of administrative urban boundaries.

b. Ethnic Group

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The various ethnic groups in Malaysia give rise to a magnificent kaleidoscope of culture and colours.

The first thing that impresses visitors to Malaysia is the multi-racial communities that have adopted the country as their home. Each ethnic community has its own set of customs, passed down over the generations. Yet it is not uncommon to find some traditions that are practised by all.

The nation’s oldest inhabitants, the Orang Asli of Peninsular Malaysia and the indigenous people of East Malaysia, have to some extent been assimilated into mainstream development. During the heyday of British rule, from 1905-1957, immigrants and fortune-hunters from within and without the empire converged upon Malaysia, giving the nation its present-day multi-racial and multi-cultural character.

The official religion of Malaysia is Islam. It is primarily identified with the Malays, although there are a considerable number of adherents from among the other communities, such as Arabs, Indians, Pakistanis, Afghans, Chinese, Javanese, Minangkabaus, Bajaus, Kadazans and many others. The new Malay or "Melayu Baru" is a far cry from his forefathers who arrived in Malaysia around 1000 B.C. He is a result of the assimilation of peoples over the generations. Many ethnic groups are regarded as Malays for practical purposes, Islam being the common bond. Together, the Muslims form the largest single religious group in the country.

The ancestors of the Chinese community in Malaysia hail from various parts of China, mainly from the south. Most of them arrived when Malaysia was still under British rule. Among the many Chinese dialects spoken in Malaysia today are Cantonese, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainanese and Teochew. The majority of the Indian community in present-day Malaysia trace their roots to south India. Apart from the Tamils, there are sizeable Indian communities who speak Telugu, Malayalam, Gujerati, Punjabi and Sindhi.

(a) Malays

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Background:

The Malay betel-nut set (tepak sirih) takes centre stage in all customary and traditional affairs.

Historical evidence shows that the forefathers of the Malays arrived in Malaysia around 1000 B.C. They represented the second and third wave of massive transmigration activities southwards from China and Tibet through mainland Southeast Asia and the Malay Peninsula towards the Indonesian Archipelago and beyond. With the establishment of regular trading contacts with India and China around the first century BC intermarriage was commonplace between foreign traders and local women.

Legend has it that the ancestors of the hereditary Malay rulers appeared one dark night on Mount Siguntang in Palembang, southern Sumatra, on a gleaming white bull. They were three royal princes, namely Nila Pahlawan Sang Sapurba, Nila Utama Sri Tri Buana, and Krishna Pendita. The trio were sons of King Suran and Queen Mahtabul Bahari of Amdan Negara, who are said to be the thirteenth generation from the lineage of Alexander of Macedonia and his Indian wife, Princess Shahrul Bariah.

According to the legend, Nila Utama married Wan Empuk and became ruler of Palembang; Krishna Pendita married Wan Malini and ruled Tanjung Pura in northern Sumatra; while Nila Pahlawan married Wan Sendari and became overlord of the Minagkabau lands in western Sumatra. Consequently, frequent intermarriages between their successors led to the establishment of the institution of the Malay Sultans. The founder of Melaka, Parameswara also known as Megat Iskandar Shah, was said to be a direct descendant of Nila Utama.

When the Melaka Sultanate accepted Islam as the official religion of the realm, the term Malay or "Melayu" became synonymous with Muslim. The port served as the springboard for the spread of Islam to other parts of the Malay Peninsula and to the Malay states in Sumatra and along the trade routes throughout the Indonesian archipelago. At its peak, Melaka became the most important port in the east between the Mediterranean Sea and China. Over 80 languages were spoken there, and at times there were more than 4,000 traders housed in special quarters.

By and by, Muslim traders and other foreigners who accepted Islam and settled in the realm came to be known as Malays. Today in modern-day Malaysia, the official definition of a Malay is a person who is a Muslim, speaks Bahasa Melayu, and practices Malay customs and traditions.

Religion:

The Terengganu Stone, dated 1303 A.D., is inscribed with Islamic inscription.

All the Malays in Malaysia are Muslims. Indeed, Islam is the official religion of Malaysia. The Muslims -- who include adherents from among the other communities such as Afghans, Arabs, Bajaus, Bugis, Chinese, Indians, Javanese, Kadazans, Minangkabaus, Pakistanis and many others -- form the largest single religious group in the country.

The earliest evidence of the presence of Islam in Peninsular Malaysia is the Terengganu Stone. Discovered in Kuala Berang, Terengganu, the stone bears some inscriptions written in Arabic script, or Jawi, pertaining to Islamic criminal law. Estimated to be dated 1326 or 1386 A.D, it precedes the Islamisation of the Melaka Sultanate.

The main avenue for the spread of Islam in this part of the world was by trade. The number of Muslim traders coming to Southeast Asia greatly increased with the conversion of the powerful kingdom of Gujerat on the Malabar coast of India at the end of the 13th century A.D. At about the same time, Islam had established a firm foothold in North Sumatra, from where the new religion was brought to the fledgling port of Melaka.

With the conversion of the Melaka rulers, the city-port became the nodal point for the spread of Islam throughout Southeast Asia. It permeated through political connections throughout the Malay Peninsula, the Sumatran shoreline and to Java, Borneo, Celebes and beyond.

Melaka also became an important centre of Islamic learning under the patronage of her rulers until the time of the Portuguese conquest in 1511. By that time, Islam had become firmly established as the religion of the Malays, and the successor states to Melaka had already developed strong Islamic institutions.

Marriage:

The 'king and queen' for the day, reveal in the 'bersanding' ceremony.

The marriage institution holds a very sacred position in Malay society. Upon finding a suitable candidate, the boy's parents will despatch a fact-finding mission comprising close family friends to meet the girl herself and to learn more about her. Once both parties are agreeable, an engagement ring is placed on the girl’s finger. The wedding date is normally fixed between six months to two years after the engagement. At this stage, the two families discuss the amount of gift money to be paid by the bridegroom, and also the gift items to be brought along on the wedding day.

On the appointed day, the bridegroom and his entourage parade to the bride's house. Apart from the gifts, they also bring cakes, fruits, perfumed water, a betelnut vessel, and the wedding ring. They are welcomed by the bride's family and relatives to the beating of drums. The "akad nikah" ceremony is performed by the Qadi, a Muslim religious official, to formally bind the couple in wedded bliss.

While the guests eat and make merry, the newly-wed couple undergo the "bersanding" ceremony, where they sit side by side on a dais as "king and queen for the day". Silat proponents display their martial skills, and "pantun" lovers exhibit their literary prowess. Family, relatives and friends file by to pay respects and offer congratulations. They sprinkle the couple with perfumed water and yellow rice.

The nuptial night is spent at the bride's house. The following day, similar festivities, normally on a smaller scale, are held at the bridegroom's house. Then, for the next one month or so, the couple will be invited for meals at one house after another in order to usher them into the married community. However, the modern trend is to immediately go on honeymoon, postponing the socializing rites for later.

Food:

Lemang Rice cooked in bamboo is an age old Malay delicacy.

The dishes in Malaysia vary from one state to another. In Perak, the specialty is "gulai tempoyak" or durian gravy. From Penang, Kedah and Perlis, one obtains curry dishes which are spicy and extra hot. The "masak lemak" in Negeri Sembilan is a kind of gravy in coconut milk mixed with hot little chilis Extremely hot for most foreign palates, it is considered a tempting dish for the Malays.

In Kelantan, there is "ayam percik" which is baked chicken washed in gravy; "nasi kerabu" which is rice mixed with all kinds of herbs; "nasi berlauk" which is rice mixed with chicken or fish gravy; and "nasi dagang" which is rice mixed with tuna and gravy. Most of these are served at food-stalls and restaurants all over the country.

A regular side-dish is the "ulam" consisting of various kinds of shoots, leaves and fruits which are boiled or eaten raw. The ulam is usually eaten with sambal belacan, a mixture of chili and prawn paste; or with cencaluk, which is fermented prawns with salt. Satay is by far the most popular dish. It is a form of spicy barbeque consisting of chicken, beef or mutton eaten with thick groundnut gravy, slices of onions and cucumbers and rice cake.

Dress:

The.evergreen 'Baju Kedah'.

The.'Baju.Kurung Cekak Musang'.

Modelling the 'Riau Pahang' look.

The traditional attire worn by Malay men consists of a loose pajama-like shirt, a pair of trousers and a sarung worn over the shirt and trousers up to just above the knees. A fez-like cap made of velvet known as songkok completes the attire. Although some variations and styles differ in certain states, colour is one thing they have in common. Various shades of green and blue are preferred, but red and orange are not uncommon among the younger generation.

In Johor, the shirt is collarless and worn outside the sarung entirely. The neck is plainly cut like a key-hole and a gold pin is used to button up instead of studs. In Perak and Selangor, silk material is preferred and the whole attire is made of the same material and colour. The sarung is usually of cotton with threads of gold or silver woven in beautiful patterns. Its stiffness permits the tying of fanciful knots as is done in Kedah.

During ceremonial occasions, such as the installation of chiefs and rulers, the men don traditional headkerchiefs or tengkolok, and sport elaborately carved keris. Dressed in this manner, the wearer presents the perfect picture of the habitual attire of well-to-do Malays of olden days.

The women usually wear baju kurung consisting of a loose fitting blouse and a sarung; or the baju kebaya, a tight fitting blouse and a sarung. This attire is still widely used presently as everyday clothing. Over time, many variations of the baju kurung, such as kebarung, have come into being.

(b) Chinese

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Background:

The first official Chinese community was established in Melaka in the 15th century. They were 500 young couples who accompanied Ming Princess Hang Li Po to Melaka, where she married Sultan Mansor Shah. Today, the descendants of that royal entourage are known as Babas and Nyonyas.

At the turn of the 20th century, thousands upon thousands of Chinese migrants from southern China left the mainland to seek their fortune overseas. Many came to Malaysia to work in the newly opened tin-mines of Perak and Selangor. They subsequently settled down and opted to become citizens when the nation gained its Independence from Britain in 1957.

Religion:

The majority of the Chinese in Malaysia belong to the Mahayana School of Buddhism. Chinese Buddhism took permanent root in Malaysia with the establishment of the Chinese community in Melaka in the 15 century. The Cheng Hoon Teng temple is reputedly the oldest Buddhist temple in the country. However, the Chinese in Malaysia have mingled their own home-grown beliefs into the Buddhist faith. These beliefs revolve around Confucianism, Taoism and ancestor worship.

In the overseas Chinese pantheon of gods and goddesses are found many new deities such as Sam Po Tai Shen, the spirit of Admiral Cheng Ho; and Toh Peh Kong, the spirit of the pioneers. The Goddess of Mercy Kwan Yin is identified with great compassion.In some houses, altars devoted to both Buddhist and Chinese deities stand next to each other in the hallway.

Marriages:

Chinese weddings represent unions between families rather than between individuals. However, they have been considerably modified and simplified from the elaborate and costly affairs of yesteryear. The ceremony is conducted at the clan temple or the Registry office.

An evergreen tradition is the "engagement sweet" ordered by the girl's parents in huge quantities. It is packed in red paper, labelled with the engaged couple's names, and sent to all relatives and friends to announce the forthcoming wedding. The tea-ceremony is a very important and integral custom, where the bride offers tea to her parents-in-law. Acceptance of the offering means the acceptance of the daughter-in-law into the family.

In a Chinese Baba wedding, when the newly-married couple meet for the first time as husband and wife, they must pay homage to Heaven, Earth and Man before a special three-tiered altar called "sam-kai". This ceremony is supervised by an elderly person well-versed in the elaborate symbolic rites and rituals. The couple are dressed in elaborately embroidered matrimonial gowns, and their feet are adorned with embroidered satin shoes.

In the old days, the bridal couple, their page-boy and the bridesmaid were carried in sedan chairs in a procession around town. Then, a marriage between a Baba and an immigrant Chinese led to the incorporation of the latter into the Baba community. Today, however, it is the opposite where the Baba is assimilated into the majority non-Baba Chinese population.

Food:

Chinese Mooncakes.

Chinese restaurants and food stalls are found all over the country, concentrated mostly in the urban areas. They serve a wide variety of dishes that originated from the different regions of China. Peking duck is a popular dish as are a host of other seafood, poultry, beef, pork and vegetable dishes.

There are also Nyonya dishes from Melaka which are influenced by Malay cooking. Many of these are hot and spicy, the most popular among them is the otak-otak which is made from fish mixed with chili and herbs. The Chinese love noodles of various kinds. There is kuay teow, mee hoon or noodles cooked in various styles, be it in soups or fried. To quote a few from a regular menu, we offer you asam laksa, prawn noodles, curry noodles and fried kuay teow.

Dress:

Basically, dressing is very informal among the Chinese with preference towards western clothing. A few conservative Chinese women, however, still wear the samfoo - a jacket and trousers combination. The traditional cheongsam for women, once rarely seen except during ceremonies and special functions, is now making a comeback in some circles.

(c) Indians

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Background:

There have been Hindu influences in Malaysia since the dawn of history, mostly via trade. The first kingdom established in Peninsular Malaysia -- Langkasuka and Gangga Negara -- adopted Hinduism as the official religion of the aristocrats and the royal court. During the 19th and first half of the 20th century, the British colonial masters brought in thousands of South Indians to work in the rubber estates and to build roads and railways throughout Malaya.

Religion:

It is estimated that about 87 percent of Indians in the country today are practising Hindus. The remainder comprises Muslims and Christians. Most of the Hindus trace their origins to Tamil Nadu in South India. Every rubber or oil palm estate where there are Indian workers has its temple managed by its own committee, following closely the forms and practices from its area of origin in the homeland. Shaivite forms of Hinduism predominate, with Murugan or Subramaniam and Mariamman being the most popular deities.

The larger temples in the towns are usually dedicated to the universal Hindu deities of the Hindu pantheon. These are supported by the wealthier professional and middle classes. Among the best known of these urban temples are the Maha Mariamman Temple and the Lakshmi Narayanan Temple in Kuala Lumpur.

Marriage:

The Hindu marriage ceremony is conducted in several phases and stages, the climax being the tying of the sacred thali around the bride's neck by the bridegroom. The newly married pass seven times around a fire sacred to the Fire God,Agni. Her veil is attached to his sash to symbolise the tying of the knot. The officiating priest throws butter, rice and flowers into the fire.

The date and time of wedding is carefully determined basing on religious calculations in order to avoid misfortune and bad luck. On the wedding day, the temple is brightly coloured and decorated with delicately intertwined coconut leaves and unopened banana flowers.

The groom wears a thick garland of heady flowers that often takes up to four hours to weave. The bride is literally covered with gold - her forehead, ears, nose, arms, fingers, and feet are studded with rings, diamonds and glitter.

The guests enter the temple barefoot and dip a finger into a powder made from scarlet vermilion, sandalwood paste and grey ash from cow dung that reportedly has never touched the ground. The powder is put on the forehead to represent the third eye of Shiva.

After the ceremony, the couple "sit-in-state" and the guests offer their blessings by showering them with yellow rice. The morning after the wedding, the husband stains the parting of his wife's hair with vermilion powder in token of her new status. From then on, she must wear gold earrings, necklace, bangles and rings, for only a widow goes unadorned.

Food:

Most Indian dishes are spicy and hot. They are mainly curries but there are also numerous vegetarian dishes. Tairu yogurt is a popular side dish to go along with breads like capati, tosay and roti canai. These breads can also be eaten with spicy dhall gravy.

Pasembur is a mixture of cucumber, bean sprouts, potatoes and dried squids topped with thick gravy. "Nasi kandar" is a specialty among Indian Muslims in Penang. North Indian dishes are less hot but not less popular with locals. Some household names include tandoori chicken, chicken masalla and nan bread.

Dress:

Traditional attire is still common among the Indian community in Malaysia. Indian women love to dress in their traditional saree, a piece of material six yards long worn draped around the body. The upper body is covered with a short tight blouse called choli. Indian men usually opt for western clothes, reserving their white dhotis and kurtas for religious and festive occasions.

(d) Indigenous People

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Background:

Orang Asli children playing traditional instruments The Bajaus of Sabah are superb horsemen.

The Orang Asli of Peninsular Malaysia and the indigenous people of Sabah and Sarawak are amongst the oldest inhabitants of the region. There are about 20 different Peninsular groups with a combined population of about 100,000, known collectively as the Orang Asli or ‘original people’. By government classification, they are ‘sons of the soil’, and hence belong to the Bumiputera category.

Among the major tribes of the Orang Asli are the Semang, the Senoi and the Jakun, the first group being the oldest people in Peninsular Malaysia. The Semang, previously known as Negritos, have until recently lived a nomadic life deep in the mountain rain forests. They are concentrated in the highlands of Kelantan, Terengganu and the northern regions of Perak, Kedah and Pahang. With a population of around 2,000 - a figure unchanged for a century, the Semang comprises six different sub-groups: Batek, Jahai, Kensiu, Kintak, Lanoh and Mendrik. Muscular, small of stature, with darker skin and curlier hair than the other Peninsular peoples, the Semang, are thought to be related to the Andaman islanders and aboriginals of the Philippines. After millennia of forest life, they are natural masters of their environment. In his book ‘Jungle Dwellers of the Malay Peninsula, Lord Charles Shuttleworth wrote of the Semang: "He is the true child of the rain forests, Nature’s own gentleman".

The Senoi, which means ‘human being’, are the most populous of the Orang Asli, numbering about 40,000. Archeological evidence suggests that they arrived later than the Semang. Physically they are quite different, being slightly taller and having paler skin and wavy hair. Among the various Senoi groups who live in upland Kelantan, Perak, Pahang and Selangor, the Semai group are the most numerous with a population of about 18,000 followed by the Temiar group with a population of 12,000. Other smaller groups are the creative Mah Meri of coastal Selangor, the Jahut of Pahang who are excellent wood-carvers and the shy Che’ Wong, the deep forest dwellers of Pahang.

The Orang Asli of Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and southern Johor are also known as Proto-Malays, and probably have the same ancestral roots as the Malays. Of these, the Jakun and the Temuan are the most numerous, each with a population of about 9,000. The Jakun were the first Malays to migrate to the Peninsula perhaps from Yunnan or Indonesia. They have had more contact with the Malays and the Chinese, deriving most of their income from the collection of rainforest products like rattan, resins and jungle latex. This group of Orang Asli are probably the most affected by the march of progress in Peninsular Malaysia.

The people of Sarawak constitute about 30 ethnic groups with a total population of about 1.83 million. Of these, the Ibans and the Chinese are almost equal in number, about 500,000 each, contributing to a third each of the population. The Malays come third about 21 per cent, followed by the Bidayuh, the Melanau, and the Orang Ulu. The rest are Indians, Eurasians, Javanese and Europeans. Each racial group boasts a rich cultural heritage, with their own costumes, dances, festivals, architecture, arts & crafts and other traditions. There are however two common factors among the indigenous people: a warm, friendly disposition, and preference for longhouse living.

The Ibans are scattered within the midland and mountainous interior regions, mostly in the Sri Aman, Sibu, Miri and Kapit Divisions; the Malays are mostly found in the coastal areas of Kuching Samarahan and Sri Aman Divisions, and the Melanaus in the coastal areas in the Sibu, Sarikei and Bintulu Divisions. The Bidayuhs are concentrated in the rural areas of the Kuching Divisions, while the other indigenous groups, collectively known as Orang Ulu, are found in the interior area of Miri, Kapit and Limbang Divisions. The Chinese, most of them originally from Foochow province in China, are found in all the urban centres throughout Sarawak.

The Ibans were originally from the Kalimantan region of Borneo. By the 19th century, they had settled throughout the inland areas of Sarawak. Although they have successfully permeated all levels of society, the Iban still have enormous reverence for their original culture and festivals and many still live in longhouses. Elders still sport tribal tattoos and are adept at storytelling and time-honoured dances. Iban youth are more interested in football and television but longhouse life is still a reality and many traditions are preserved. Formerly feared headhunters, the Iban now work as a fisher-people, or cultivate hill rice or other cash crops in the interior.

The Bidayuh live in the hilly interior of western Sarawak, and their longhouses are the most accessible from Kuching. They comprise several distinct sub-groups with different but related dialects. The Melanau live predominantly on the coast and are renowned for their fishing and boat building abilities. Through their assimilation with the Malay lifestyle, they have adopted the separate stilt-house habitat.

The upper reaches of theRiver Rejang, beyond the Pelagus rapids, is home to about 21 Orang Ulu ethnic groups. These include the Kayan and Kenyah (about 30,000), Kelabit (10,000) and Penan. Their social hierarchy system: lower, middle and upper class, imbues great respect for their chiefs. In the longhouse, the chief occupies a larger central unit with the other residents spread on either side, decreasing in social standing as they are farther removed from him.

The Penans are nomadic. About 500 or so of them live in the hilly regions bordering Indonesian Kalimantan. They practise a way of life largely unchanged from the dawn of time. Some still hunt for wild game with blowpipes, tipping heir darts with the poisonous sap of the Ipoh tree. To supplement their diet, they harvest wild sago. They regard themselves as stewards of the trees and cultivate them in such a way as to ensure the plants are regenerated and sustained for future use. They make complex mental maps of their territory, naming every feature of the land after an incident that occurred there, such as the death of a favourite hunting dog or the sighting of an unusual bird.

In Sabah, there are 32 different ethnic groups speaking about 100 dialects. The largest is the Dusunic family which includes the Kadazans, Kuijau, Lotud and Rungus, who are traditionally rice-planters and fruit-growers. The Kadazans, which form the largest single indigenous group, reside near their sacred peak, Mount Kinabalu, which towers over the state in the central and eastern region. Famed for their artistry with bamboo, they have been in the forefront in all walks of life since early days. The first Chief Minister of Sabah was a Kadazan.

The Murutic family comprises the Timugon, Gana, Nabai and Tagal/Sumambu. Most of them are shifting cultivators and river fisherman. The Bajaus migrated from the southern Philippines about 200 years ago, together with the Suluk, Iranum and Obian tribal groups. Formerly known as Sea Gypsies, many Bajaus have traded their sea-going vessels and fishing gear for farm tools and some, especially in the Kuala Belud area, have become buffalo rearers. These highly skilled horsemen, dubbed ‘Cowboys of the East’, often participate in state celebrations. In their elaborate gear, they make a magnificent sight astride their ponies which are decorated with tiny bells and colourful reins and cloths. They live a semi-water borne life, dwelling in houses built on stilts over the water and connected by boardwalks. Housewives paddle their ‘sampan’ to visit the neighbours and children can swim before they can walk.

Most of the Chinese in Sabah came in the 1800s, and settled in Kampung Mumiang at the mouth of the Kinabatangan River. They are of Hakka, Hokkien and Teochew descent, each with their own clubs and associations which were formed mainly to keep their customs and traditions intact. Today, they form the largest non-indigenous group in the state. There are also a significant number of Indians, who too have managed to maintain their identity.

Religion:

A segment of the 5,000 Baram and Madang people who attended the Peace-Keeping ceremony of 1898.

Most of the Orang Asli of Peninsular Malaysia and the indigenous people of Sabah and Sarawak are steeped in their traditional beliefs that are deeply rooted in animism. They are an agricultural people with strong ties to the earth and its dominant spirits. Their priests and priestesses perform rituals to drive out evil spirits that trouble human beings. They have their own unique folkways and folklore, myths and legends, beliefs and practices relating to religion, custom and culture from time immemorial. Most of them practise animism, although there are many among them who have embraced Islam and Christianity.

The Jakun of Peninsular Malaysia for instance are animists who believe humans, animals, weapons, ornaments and stones have spirit-souls. A shaman or bomoh is believed to be able to coax the spirit out of someone and do harm to a person unprotected. He can entice the spirit of a disease on to a raft filled with offerings, set the raft adrift and send the sickness down the river and away from the village. When a baby is born the soul of both the baby and the mother are considered particularly vulnerable, and thus are placed on top of a bamboo platform above a fire so that the smoke would hide them from the malicious spirits.

The Jakun are experts in making large carving out of hard wood, and there is no mistaking the blatant sexual intent of some of these figures. According to their belief, open sex and nakedness are offensive to the spirits. However, when these spirits become troublesome, such images may be employed to shock them away.

Mount Kinabalu, steeped in legends, holds a special place in the heart of Sabahans, while Sarawakians attach similar significance to Mount Santubong. Anthropologists are of the view that some of the deities worshipped by the Bidayuh resemble those of the Hindu Pantheon. Furthermore, they are the only people in Sarawak who cremate their dead. Although many Kadazans are now Christians, age old ceremonies still centre around the rice spirit, colorfully enacted at the annual harvest festival.

The old religion of the Melanau known as Liko relates to nature. It preaches that life is harmoniously interwoven with the environment. They believe that the spiritual world embraces superior tou spirits and lesser belum spirits that cause sickness and trouble. They practise a system of traditional healing called berbayuh and berayun, using effigies of sickness spirits called belum carvings.

The spiritual life of some Bidayuh communities are controlled by priestesses who are spirit mediums. They wear tall seed-bead hats conical in shape. In many communities of the interior region, one finds life-size ancestral figures and guardian statues, carved in human likeness. They are made of belian hardwood, and are placed at the junctions of footpaths leading to their villages and longhouses, and are believed to be protectors against evil spirits.

Among the Muruts, a funeral goes on for several days. One day after death, the corpse is arranged in a foetal position, and placed in an earthen jar together with small personal belongings. The mouth of the jar is then closed with a gong, and it is placed on a special platform outside the deceased’s house for a few more days. Then, the jar is buried and a hut, colorfully painted and decorated, is built over the grave. The deceased’s other belongings are placed in the hut. However, many families nowadays prefer to use wooden coffins instead of the traditional jars which are becoming rare.

Marriages:

A Bajau bridegroom gracefully dressed for his big day.

The marriage ceremony in the various indigenous communities are varied yet similar in many respects, indicating a great deal of inter-cultural borrowing amongst them. They have, however, managed to retain some of their more ethnic, cultural and regional peculiarities. For most of them, domesticated animals are commonly used as dowries. A young Bajau man, for instance, who wishes to marry into a good family can expect to part with 5 or 6 heads of buffalo plus other items. Among the upper class of the Orang Ulu, specifically the Kelabit and Lou Bawling, at least seven heads of buffalo are required as dowry which also includes heirloom jars, antique beads and baskets.

Although some of the Jakun intermarried with foreigners who came to the coastal areas from Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, India and other faraway lands, many fled into the interior parts of Malaysia. Thus, unlike their coastal brothers, their bloodlines has not mixed much with other races.

Food:

A variety of dishes on trays ready to be served to guests on a festive occasion.

Orang Ulu jewellery made of ivory, wood, silver and brass coiled over rattan rings and fernstems.

Living in natural surroundings, the indigenous people of Malaysia survive on the bounties of Nature found in the rainforests, the rivers and the sea around. The Senoi of Peninsular Malaysia are adept at swidden agriculture (shifting cultivation) as well as fishing, trapping, hunting and gathering rainforest products. Their blowpipe skills are legendary. Intricately carved and measuring over two metres (6ft.) long, bamboo blowpipe are deadly accurate up to at least 8 metres. These days the Senoi also cultivate rubber, fruit crops and cocoa and many have entered the mainstream of Malaysian life. In the urban areas of Sarawak and Sabah, there is great cultural inter-borrowing among the various tribal groups as far as food goes.

Dress:

Each of the indigenous ethnic groups has its own traditions in regard to dress and clothing. Basically, all native men wear loincloths. In the East Malaysian indigenous ethnic communities, the women wear coiled brass necklaces, anklets and bracelets. Overall, the formal traditional attire for men and women is black. On ceremonial occasions, they wear suits and tight fitting dresses trimmed with gold or silver braids and studded with diamantes. In the more remote villages, women wear coiled brass necklaces, anklets and bracelets.

The Ibans of Sarawak also wear the cawat or loin cloth. On festive occasions, the Ibans in particular still don wonderfully adorned head-dresses of bird’s feathers, particularly the black and white feathers of the hornbill, and elaborately woven cloths.

Like the rest of Malaysia, these traditional indigenous ethnic groups are also getting affected by the current onslaught of modernisation, industrialisation and urbanisation. Consequently, many changes are taking place in their society: in dress, housing, habits, tools and customary behavior.

(e) Others

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Background:

The elders teaching the traditional way to a new generation of Malaysian Sikhs.

There are numerous ethnic minorities in Malaysia such as the Sikhs, Thais, Sinhalese, Burmese and the Portuguese community of Melaka. With the establishment of Penang as a trading post in 1786 by Sir Francis Light, settlers from within and without the widely-flung British Empire began to pour into the island. To describe the scenario then, it would be most apt to quote from the memoirs of Victorian traveller Isabella L. Bird who visited Penang in 1880.

Bird wrote: "The sight of the Asiatics who have crowded into George Town is a wonderful one. They come in junks, steamers, and strange Arabian craft. They all get a living, depend slavishly on no one, never lapse into pauperism, retain their own dress, customs, and religion, and are orderly. They come from all over: from the Red Sea to the Yellow Sea, and from Mecca to Canton".

Religion:

The minority communities in Malaysia hold fast to their traditional culture and beliefs under the protection of the Federal Constitution. Most of the Thais, Sinhalese and Burmese in Malaysia are Buddhists, and adhere to the Theravada School. The Sikhs worship one formless God as their scriptures denounce idol worship. There are about 100 Sikh temples or "gurdwaras" in the country which act as the religious, social and community centres for the Sikhs.

Marriages:

In heterogeneous Malaysia, there is a great deal of cultural borrowing between the various ethnic groups. In former days, the Sikh bride used to be wrapped in white cloth and carried into the groom’s presence by her brothers. The modern Sikh bride walks, suitably escorted. She wears a red and gold "salwar kameez" trouser suit and a veil; while her groom is dressed in a Western style suit. After taking their marriage vows in front of the Sikh’s Holy Book, the Guru Granth Sahib, the groom leads the bride four times around the Granth Sahib to conclude the ceremony.

Food:

In cosmopolitan Kuala Lumpur, a wide variety of dishes are available to please your taste buds. Apart from the typical big-city McDonalds and Kentucky Fried Chicken, one can venture into English fish n’chips, Hungarian goulash, French champignon soup, Lebanese wine leaves, American rib steaks, Arabian roast lamb, and Bavarian omelette. Closer to the homefront are Indonesian nasi rawon, Thai tomyam, Punjabi ladoos, and Afghan delicacies such as Beryani and Pulao rice or nan bread complete with chicken tandoori, braised meat korma, and Boti Kebabs. One can enjoy stews from all over the world, fish prepared in a thousand ways by international master chefs, plus a wide range and colorful variety of side dishes and desserts.

Dress:

On the whole, Malaysian men dress as their counterparts elsewhere in the world, that is trousers and shirts. Working women prefer the traditional Malay baju kurung, or skirt and blouse. With the climate being hot and humid throughout the year, ranging from 21 to 33 degrees Celsius, the most comfortable attire is cotton. For cool nights in the hill resorts, an overcoat or jumper may be needed.

For more formal occasions, men wear a jacket, a long-sleeved shirt, and sometimes a tie; while women don evening dresses. The favourite casual clothing of the young is jeans and T-shirts. Foreign visitors are advised to dress decently, especially in rural areas or when visiting places that are considered sacred by locals.

The Sikhs in Malaysia are quite distinctive in appearance and dress. The men normally sport full beards and wear turbans, while the women wear long dresses over baggy pants. This outfit is known as "salwar kameez".

c. Languages and Dialects

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Malaysia is situated at one of the world's most important crossroads.

Malaysia is truly a polyglot nation. Its Constitution, from the days of the Melaka Sultanate, safeguards the various languages, cultures, dress and religions of its multi-racial people, thus establishing an ambiance of peace and harmony based on mutual goodwill, tolerance and trust. Following the fall of British Malaya to the Japanese Imperial Army in 1941, many foreign settlers left for safer terrain. However, the ones who stayed carry on with their respective languages and traditions. Today, one can still meet Malaysians who at home speak Arabic, Banjari, Bugis, Burmese, English, Portuguese, Javanese, Minanagkabau, Punjabi, Pushto, Sinhalese, Thai and Urdu.

The official language of Malaysia is Bahasa Melayu as stipulated by Article 152 of the Federal Constitution. The same article also safeguards other languages by stipulating that no person may be prohibited or prevented from using (except for official purposes) or from teaching his mother tongue or any other language.

Originally the Malay language, or Bahasa Melayu, was spoken by the people living on the east coast of Sumatra, in Peninsular Malaysia, the west coast of Borneo and the surrounding islands. However, when Bahasa Indonesia, which is founded upon Bahasa Melayu, was made the national language of Indonesia, Malay became the lingua franca of some 200 million inhabitants of the Malay Archipelago including the people of southern Philippines and southern Thailand.

Linguists claim that the language has its origins in Sumatra and was the official language of the Srivijayan Empire in Palembang. At its peak in 900 A.D, the domains of the Empire comprised the whole of Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, the Riau and Lingga islands, western Borneo and parts of Java. Via trade, its influence reached far beyond the Malay world to Sri Lanka and Madagascar.

When Srivijaya declined, the Melaka Sultanate arose to attain the heights of the Classical Malay age. Between 1403 and 1511, Melaka was the largest seaport in Southeast Asia, drawing traders from all over the world. Bahasa Melayu developed further as the language of the royal court, of commerce and the language of Islam in this part of the world.

At the zenith of British imperialism in the early 1900s, English became the official language of the colonies, including in British Malaya, and Bahasa Melayu suffered decline in official circles. However, after Independence in 1957, it was again established as the national language of Malaysia. Today, Bahasa Melayu is an academic and scientific language, is well utilised in all the institutions of higher learning in Malaysia. It is poised towards earning its place among the great languages of the world in the next millennium. Nevertheless, the Government encourages the use of English for the development of business and technology.

The Chinese community in Malaysia have their own schools where Mandarin is taught up to Primary Six level. Then, the pupils join the national schools to study Bahasa Melayu together with their peers from the other ethnic groups. Hailing from various parts of China, the early migrants brought along their own dialects which they pass on to their offspring. Today, in Malaysia, the major Chinese dialects spoken are Cantonese, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainanese and Teochew.

Apart from the Tamil-speaking populace from southern India, there is also a sizeable Indian community from Andhra Pradesh who speak Telugu, from the Malabar coast who speak Malayalam, and also Gujeratis, Punjabis and Sindhis. Indian children are free to pursue Tamil-medium education up to Primary Six, whereupon they enter national schools to formally learn Bahasa Melayu. There are selected channels on Radio and Television Malaysia that broadcast Chinese and Tamil-language programmes and films.

The Semang and Senoi of the Orang Asli, it is now generally agreed, speak a Mon-Khmer dialect like that of Kampuchea and Vietnam. The Proto-Malays, who probably have the same ancestral roots as the Malays, speak Malay-related languages. The people of Sarawak speak about 32 dialects while in Sabah there are 55 known dialects.

English and Malay Language

 

Where is the railway station / bus station / post office?	Dimanakah stesen keretapi / stesen bas / pejabat pos?
Is there a restaurant nearby?	Adakah terdapat restoran berhampiran di sini?
I am looking for a money changer?	Saya mencari pengurup wang?
Where are you from?	Saudara / saudari berasal dari mana?
How far is to Johor Bahru / Kota Bharu / Alor Star?	Berapa jauhkah ke Johor Bahru / Kota Bharu / Alor Star?
I would like to take a bus to Ipoh.	Saya ingin menaiki bas ke Ipoh.
How much is to fly to Kuching / Kota Kinabalu?	Berapakah tambang kapal terbang ke Kuching / ke Kota Kinabalu?
Is the National Park far from Kuala Lumpur?	Adakah Taman Negara jauh dari Kuala Lumpur?
I heard that Putrajaya is a nice place to visit.	Saya dengar bahawa Putrajaya bagus untuk dikunjungi.
Where can I learn Malay?	Di manakah saya boleh belajar Bahasa Melayu?
How do I get to Putrajaya?	Bagaimanakah saya boleh pergi ke Putrajaya?
Where is the nearest hotel?	Di manakah hotel yang terdekat?
Where is the toilet / ladies / gents / restroom?	Di manakah tandas / bilik air?
Where is the nearest LRT station?	Di manakah stesen LRT yang terdekat?
I like satay. Where can I get it?	Saya suka satay. Di manakah saya boleh dapatkannya?
Yes / No	Ya / Tidak
I love Malaysia!	Saya cintai Malaysia!
Malaysia Can!	Malaysia Boleh!
Could you please snap a picture for me / us?	Bolehkah tolong saya ambilkan gambar? / Bolehkah tolong kami ambilkan gambar?
Welcome to Malaysia	Selamat datang ke Malaysia

d. Festivals

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The two most important festivals in the Islamic calendar are the Aidil Fitri and Aidil Adha. In Malaysia, the previous is known as Hari Raya Puasa and the latter as Hari Raya Haji. Hari Raya Puasa is celebrated at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, while Hari Raya Haji is to mark the conclusion of pilgrimage activities in the Holy Land of Mecca.

On both occasions, everyone wears new clothes and the home is cleaned and re-decorated. Upon returning from the special morning prayers in the mosque, children and youngsters formally approach their parents to seek forgiveness for wrongdoings committed during the previous year.

In recent years, the "open house" concept has caught on where Muslims invite their friends, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, to their homes. The favourite delicacies served on these particular occasions are ketupat, lemang and rendang. During Hari Raya Haji, rich Muslims round the world sacrifice camels, buffaloes, cows, goats and sheep in commemoration of the historical sacrifice performed by Prophet Abraham upon his son Ishmael. The meat is distributed to poorer kinsfolk, neighbours and other Muslims.

Muslims in procession to celebrate Prophet Muhammad SAW's birthday.

The birthday of the Prophet Muhammad is also a public holiday in Malaysia. The occasion is marked by special prayers and sermons in mosques, and processions in the streets. Other important dates in the Muslim calendar include the Muslim new year, the Israk-wa-Mikraj which marks Muhammad's ascension into the night sky; the initial revelation of the Holy Quran upon Muhammad; and the beginning of Ramadhan. All these days are observed as public holidays, albeit some only in certain states of the Federation

For the Chinese community in Malaysia, their most important festival is the Chinese New Year regardless of their belief. This two-day national holiday stretches for many into a week, and for most is their only real public holiday for the whole year. It is a time for family reunions, settlement of debts and closing of accounts, and a time for special prayers and offerings. The most important event is the family dinner on New Year's eve.

Preparations begin on the 24 th day of the 12 th moon in the lunar calendar when sacrifices are made to the Kitchen God to send him on his annual visit to Heaven. Strips of red paper, inscribed with the characters for happiness, wealth, good fortune and long life are pasted on the front door. Red packets containing money, or ang pows, are distributed to children, unmarried youngsters and employees. The celebrations continue for three weeks until Chap Goh Mei, the 15 th day of the new moon.

Competitors rowing away in the annual Dragon Boat Festival in Penang.

The Chinese in Malaysia seem to have an occasion to celebrate almost every month of the year. Wesak Day is widely celebrated by the Buddhist community. On this day, over 2000 years ago, Siddharta Gautama is said to have received enlightenment to become the Buddha. The colourful calender of events continue throughout the year with the Dragon Boat Festival, the Moon Cake Festival, Cheng Beng, the Festival of the Seven Sisters, the Festival of the Nine Emperor Gods, the Festival of the Tombs, and the Feast of the Hungry Ghosts.

On these occasions, quaint ritualistic paraphernalia are displayed on the family altars, bedecked with embroidered cloth. Lacey covers decorate furniture and delicacies such as pau(bun),angku(red-cakes),fruits,roasted-duck,gimmered chicken, fish and prawns are served.The lion and dragon dances, and in some areas the Baba's ronggeng dance, add gaiety to these festivals.

Among Malaysian Hindus, Deepavali is the most widely celebrated festival. It falls when the moon has waned in the Hindu month of Kartik, sometime in October or November. There are many legends surrounding this festival, one of which tells about the victory of Krishna, the reincarnation of Vishnu, over the demon king Narakasura. The event symbolises the triumph of good over evil, hence the many oil lamps that are lit on this occasion to dispel spiritual darkness.

On that day, the Hindu family rises at dawn, takes a bath of herbal oil, puts on new clothes, and prays. This is usually followed by a trip to the temple. Some families offer blessed vegetarian food, or pasadam, for the departed. In Malaysia, Deepavali has over the years become a time for good food, fun and visiting friends and relatives, like the major festivals of all its other multi-religious communities,

Another popular festival is Thaipusam. Linked to penance and atonement, Thaipusam draws up to 700,000 devotees, to particular temples in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Ipoh. In Kuala Lumpur, huge crowds gather to watch the great chariot and statue of Lord Murugan proceed through the city streets towards the hill temple in Batu Caves, eight miles away.

At times as many as 2500 kavadi bearers do their penance by labouring up the 272 steep steps leading up to the temple, the abode of Lord Subramaniam. Kavadis are large metal frames decorated with peacock feathers, pictures of deities and symbolic dolls. Once the kavadi bearers fall into deep trance, their cheeks are pierced with five-foot spears, and fruits or pots of milk are hung from hooks dug into their bodies. Usually, there is no pain or scars, and little blood is shed.

The Thaiponggal, or harvest festival, is celebrated amongst Tamil workers in the estates. Some temples have their own special festivals. There is one in Bagan Serai, Perak, where whole episodes from the Mahabharata are re-enacted in full. This plus other side attractions such as fire-walking attract large numbers of Hindu from far and wide.

Malaysian Christians observe two main festivals - Christmas and Easter. Christmas begins with the family dinner on Christmas Eve. Traditional Christmas is marked by the exchange of gifts, carol singing and brightly-lighted Christmas trees. On Christmas Day itself, the devout go to church; and thereafter it is the customary "open house" so common to all of Malaysia’s major religious festivals.

In the Christian calendar, Easter marks the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is preceded by the fasting days of the month of Lent. Apart from the traditional Easter eggs, the Easter weekend in April is one of prayer and religious observation. In some Malaysian states, it is observed as the "Good Friday" public holiday.

Other Christian festivals are Festa de San Pedro, the patron saint of fishermen amongst the Portuguese community in Melaka, which falls on June 29. Throughout September, the community celebrates the Feast of Santa Crux; while on July 26, there is the Feast of St. Anne held in Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

The two major Sikh festivals are the birthday of Guru Nanak, founder of the religion, on December 22; and Vasakhi, the Sikh New Year, which falls on April 13. Both occasions are marked by prayers at the temple, and the reading of their Holy Book, the Guru Granth Sahib.

Festivals and festivities are a way of life with the indigenous people of Malaysia. Some occasions call for lengthy ceremonies extending over three to four days, or even one week.

The Kadazan Harvest festival in Sabah is a ritualistic celebration of the harvesting of rice. It is an expression of thanksgiving to their Supreme God Kinoingan Minamangun for his continuous provision of food. Catholic Kadazans seek the blessing and benediction of the local priest by handing over to them selected ears of padi after the harvest.

In Sarawak, the annual Iban harvest festival or Gawai Dayak has come to represent the state's major holiday. It is an occasion for family reunions, traditional dances, beauty contests, games and public entertainment. Another important Iban festival is the Gawai Antu or Feast of the Ghosts, which is associated with departed souls. Once a year, the Melanau celebrate the kaul festival on the beach to bless the fishing season by attaching specially carved bone fetishes to their fishing nets.

The Semai people of Perak in Peninsular Malaysia celebrate their thanksgiving festival, or Genggulang, at the close of the harvesting season. The shaman builds an altar in the middle of the village in which he places glutinous rice and rice grains. The altar must not be disturbed for three days, during which period he is not allowed to do any work.

Apart from the religious festivals, the Malaysian calendar has much to offer. Almost all the seaside towns, such as Penang, Melaka, Port Dickson, Lumut, Pangkor and Langkawi, celebrate their sea fests annually. Other enchanting festivals are the kite-flying fest, the top-spinning fest and the floral fest, among a myriad of other colourful occasions that call for a celebration.