Festivals in Malaysia

Source: http://www.thestar.com.my/Travel/Malaysia/2012/11/12/Festivals-and-celebrations-inMalaysia/
Malaysia has a number of festivals and celebrations, most of which are either religious or
cultural in origin, and are swathed in traditions and rituals.
Malaysia. A country where one can experience a multitude of cultural celebrations and festivals,
as well as, and most importantly, good food(!) all year round.
Almost every month of the year, tourists and locals alike immerse themselves in one celebration
or another, thanks to the diverse cultural practices we have.
To help our foreign friends have a better overview of the festivities to look forward to when
visiting Malaysia, and also for the benefit of locals, here is a list of the monthly cultural
celebrations and festivities Malaysia has to offer.
(Note: Some celebrations may vary from year to year as they are based on lunar calendars.)
January
Thaipusam
Celebrated by the Tamil community, the manifestation of Thaipusam is best witnessed at Batu
Caves in Selangor, or in Penang. The jaw-dropping sight of devotees carrying ornately decorated
frames, better known as kavadis, would stay with you long after you've experienced it; this
unique festival is a sight to behold.
February
Chinese New Year
Celebrated worldwide by the Chinese to mark the first day of the New Year in the Chinese lunar
calendar, the celebrations last for 15 days. Expect fireworks, lion dances, the prominence of the
colour red, and open houses with scrumptious Chinese meals!
Chap Goh Mei, or the 15th night of Chinese New Year, symbolises the end of the festival. To
celebrate the Chinese version of Valentine's Day, young women inscribe messages or well-wishes
on oranges and throw them into lakes or ponds.
April
Good Friday
Held in churches to mark the "saddest day" in the Christian calendar, it is observed in
remembrance of Christs' Passion, crucifixation and death. On the Sunday that follows Good
Friday, Easter Sunday is celebrated to commemorate the resurrection of Christ.

Malaysia Water Festival

A country with natural settings of lakes, beaches, seas, Malaysia hosts this event annually with a
variety of water-based sports. Activities such as kayaking, fishing, and cross-channel swimming
promises a whole load of adrenaline-pumping time!
May
Wesak Day
Celebrated by Buddhists to pay homage to Buddha and to mark the three significant events in
Buddha's life (his birthday, enlightenment, and achievement of Nirvana) the festival begins with
meditation and prayers. Donations are made to the poor and needy.
Harvest Festival
Known to Sabahans as Pesta Ka'amatan, it is a thanksgiving festival to celebrate the rice harvest.
The festivities include traditional sports such as the buffalo race, the best tapai (rice wine)
competition, and the "Unduk Ngadau" or Ka'amatan Queen Competition.
June
Hari Gawai
The Gawai Dayak is celebrated in Sarawak to mark the end of the paddy harvesting season. It
also marks the beginning of the new planting season, and activities such as dancing, singing, and
a considerable amount of drinking tuak (rice wine) take place in the longhouses.
Dragon Boat Festival
Known also as the Chang Festival or Duanwu Festival, it commemorates a patriot and poet in
China named Qu Yuan. The best place to witness the celebrations is in Penang, where the annual
Penang International Dragon Boat Festival takes place on a grand scale.
July
Rainforest World Music Festival
Held in the grounds of the Sarawak Cultural Village, the annual three-day music festival is fast
becoming the largest musical event in Malaysia. It celebrates the diversity of world music, while
at the same time highlighting the use of traditional acoustic world instruments.
August
Independence Day
Commemorating the independence of the Federation of Malaya from the British in 1957, August
31 holds a special place in the hearts of all Malaysians. The biggest celebration of the event takes
place annually at Merdeka Square, or more commonly known as Dataran Merdeka in Kuala
Lumpur.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Also known as Hari Raya Puasa, it marks the culmination of Ramadhan, during which Muslims
the world over fast for a whole month. Traditional Malay food such as rendang, ketupat, and
lemang is served. This is also a time to forgive and forget past quarrels, where family members
ask for forgiveness from friends and family members.
Hungry Ghost Festival
Observed among the Chinese, the festival commemorates the opening of hell's gates for the
spirits from the lower realm to roam freely for a month. Things to note during the festival are the
larger than life papier-mch figures and performances of Chinese opera and Ko-Tai (energetic
singing and dancing with performers in glittering costumes).
September
Malaysia Day
September 16 commemorates the establishment of the Malaysian federation in 1963, with the
joining of Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak and Singapore to form Malaysia.
Mid-Autumn Festival
Fondly known as the Tanglung (Lantern) Festival or the Mooncake Festival, it is celebrated by
the Chinese to mark the end of the harvesting season. Mooncakes are a must as it also
commemorates Chang Er, the moon goddess.
October
Hari Raya Haji
To commemorate the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha, the occasion is marked most significantly
by the conclusion of the annual Haj (pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca). Sacrificialslaughtering, or korban, takes place in mosques, and the meat is distributed to the poor and
needy.
November
Deepavali
Also commonly referred to as Diwali or Festival of Lights, the festival is significant to all
Hindus as it symbolises the triumph of good over evil. Oil lamps are lit to ward off darkness and
evil, and like every other major cultural festivals in Malaysia, open houses are held.

December

Christmas
A religious festival to mark the birth of Jesus Christ for Christians, Christmas in Malaysia is
celebrated like everywhere else in the world. However, Christmas is also viewed as a universal
celebration by many, one that that carries a secular rather than religious meaning. Even without
the traditional "white Christmas", the celebrations carry on with a kaleidoscope of lights, endless
Christmas displays, and crazy shopping deals for all!