Malaysia has an extremely culturally diverse environment to offer. Not only is it multi-cultural, but it is also filled with many different ethnicities and religions that can broaden your perspective and build your inter-cultural communication skills, preparing you to be a global citizen who will be at home in any country or culture in the world.
The three largest ethnic groups in Malaysia are the Malays, Chinese and Indians. They are complemented by minority ethnic races that include the Orang Asli, or aboriginals, the Eurasians, Peranakan and people from East Malaysia such as the Iban, Dayak, Melanau, Kadazandusun, Bajau and others. To add to this abundance of heritages, the different races have been mixing and marrying over a period of time, forming new, distinctive ethnic groups such as the Peranakans and Eurasians who have added colour to Malaysia’s sociological scene.
As a foreign student in Malaysia, you will soon become entranced with the way all the races come together to celebrate one another’s festivals and traditions. While Islam is the national religion of the country, freedom of religion is practised in Malaysia, allowing the people to embrace other religions like Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism and Christianity. Thus, whatever religion you practise, you are bound to find a house of worship belonging to your faith in Malaysia.
One of the things you will most enjoy about the festivals of each ethnic group in Malaysia is the fact that all the communities get together to celebrate. The major festivals of the different faiths are Hari Raya Puasa, celebrated at the end of the Muslim fasting month, Chinese New Year , Deepavali and Christmas, during which the community observing the festival will hold an “open house” party.
This is a uniquely Malaysian custom in which the celebrating community will play host to the others in their homes or, in the case of dignitaries, in a hall or stadium. It is an unspoken rule that everybody is welcome at an open house.
The presence of varied ethnic groups in Malaysia has also resulted in a rich heritage in terms of the arts. Malaysia is home to unique Malay art forms such as wayang kulit, silat, makyong and gamelan. The Indians have enriched the country with ancient dance traditions such as Bharatanatyam and Odissi, as well as the livelier Bhangra from Punjab. The Chinese have made their lion dance and war drums a firm part of the country’s culture. Other minorities in Malaysia also have their traditional dances like the Sumazau from the Kadazandusun in Sabah and the Ngajat by the Iban of Sarawak.
As a student in Malaysia, you will have the opportunity to observe many traditional art forms, but rest assured that you’ll also have the chance to be immersed in contemporary culture as Malaysian society is modern and progressive.
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