The festivals in Malaysia are interesting enough to come to Malaysia on
your bicycle. Malaysia has several really interesting festivals and when you
travel around, make sure you get the dates of some of the festivals so you
can enjoy them to the fullest.
Although Malaysia is a Muslim country it is tolerant to other religions.
While you are traveling in Malaysia it is very well possible you will join in
one or another festival.
What are the most interesting festivals to experience?
Thaipusam is the first Indian festival in the year in Malaysia. Although
the festival is celebrated all over the country, the best places to enjoy
the festival are the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur and around the Waterfall
temple in Penang.
Thaipusam always take place in January, early February as the festival
follows the Lunar calendar. During the period of Thaipusam, it might be hard
to find a hotel (check our recommended hotels in Penang
and the hotels in Kuala Lumpur
pages) so be either a day or two in advance in Penang of KL. Kuala Lumpur,
never a good city to cycle around will be even busier in the area of the
Batu Caves and in Penang much of Georgetown will be packed. Best advise is
to leave your bicycle in the hotel and either walk to the sites or take some
public transport.
Chinese New Year is the first Chinese festival in Malaysia in the year. It is one
of the most important events for the Chinese people all around the world.
Chinese New Year falls on different dates each year, a date between January
21 and February 20, because the Chinese follow the Lunar Calendar.
Chinese will hang outside the house red lanterns usually a week before the
the actual Chinese New Year is celebrated. The house will be cleaned and new
clothes be bought. Some families and shops will have lion dances to clean
the house from evil spirits.
Chinese New Year (CNY) can be best followed in Penang where about 50% of
the population is Chinese. In 2009 most of the heritage part of Georgetown
was reserved for all kinds of activities from the different Chinese groups
(Hokkiens, Hakka etc.).
The Chinese New Year is a good moment to learn more about the Chinese culture
in Malaysia. In 2009 there were many different performances including a concert,
Chinese Opera, dragon dances and more.
Ching Ming is the festival of remembering the ancestors. It is an
incredible important festival for all Chinese world wide. While Chinese New
Year can be celebrated with festivities, even though it is an important
family event, Ching Ming is to be celebrated within the family only,
The family will visit the graves of the ancestors, sweep it and offer to the
ancestors. Offers can include paper money and burning incense as the believe is
that the smoke rises to the afterworld and is useful for the ancestors. Families
bring food and drinks like rice, wine and fruits.
When you are in Malaysia around this time, you will see many Chinese visiting
the graveyards bringing the gifts for the ancestors. It is no problem to
visit a cemetery during this period and talk to people. You might hear
wonderful stories. One I heard was touching.
I was walking around while I saw a family cleaning up a small and old grave a
bit in the back. Part of the family moved to another grave while I talked to a
man. He explained to me the grave belonged to a niece of him who had died in the
early 1970's due to cancer. She has only been 17 years of age. No one of her
direct relatives anymore alive since the early 1980's and no one would be
able to take care of the grave. But his family came every year from Kedah
(about 200km north of Seri Manjung) to clean the grave and pray.
If you have the chance, visit the graveyards and hear the stories people
can tell you. They're worth to remember.
Independence Day
Malaysia's Independence day is celebrated on August 31. Every year, a
free open air concert is held on the eve of Merdeka (independence) to
jumpstart the celebrations. The Merdeka starts off with a grande parade.
These events will take place in Kuala Lumpur. In other cities there will be
similar event take place.
Ramadan and Hari Raya
Malaysia is a Muslim country. Every year the Muslims celebrate the
Ramadan, the month of fasting. Muslims are not allowed to eat from sunrise
to sunset. For cyclists on the east coast this might be they have to
organize their food in advance as the Muslim restaurant (and even some
hotels) will be closed during the day.
The month of Ramadan is a great opportunity to sample a variety of food
special made for the Ramadan. You will not be disappointed! The last day of
the Ramadan is called Hari Raya and it's a great day to celebrate this
important day for the Muslim population with some Muslims. It's very easy to
find a nice place to find out how they celebrate the end of the Ramadan and
how the Chinese and Indian join them in the celebrations.
Chinese and Indians are a little more reserved with eating in public not
to offend the Muslims. However, Chinese and Indian restaurant are normal
open.
Moon festival
The Moon festival takes place in early October. It is also known as the
"Mid-Autumn Festival". Except the Chinese New Year there is no more
important festival for the Chinese population world wide. It is
Traditionally, on this day, Chinese family members and friends will gather to
admire the bright mid-autumn harvest moon, and eat moon cakes and pomeloes
together. In China it is one of the National Holidays and therefore very busy.
In Malaysia the festival is mostly celebrated with the family, eating moon cake
(here's more about mooncake).
Other parts of the celebration can be lion dances, especially in Penang where
the population is more Chinese.
Deepavali
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.
As most of the Indians in Malaysia are Tamils from the south, the actual
day of the festivities is the third day. Hindus wake up well before dawn, as
early as two in the morning, have a fragrant oil bath and wear new clothes.
They light small lamps all around the house and draw elaborate kolams / rangolis
outside their homes.
It is believed that taking a bath before sunrise, when the stars are still visible
in the sky is equivalent to taking a bath in the holy Ganges.
The best way to experience Deepavali is to be with some Indian friends.
Many households will have extensive dishes prepared and will visit
relatives.
Although Deepavali is not an extravert festival as Thaipusam, it is a great
festival to get in touch with the local Indian culture. And as said, the best
way to visit Indian families.
Nine Emperor Gods Festival
The Nine Emperor Gods Festival is another important Chinese festival in
Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. It celebrates
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 return from heaven to
earth of the spirits of nine Emperors who are worshiped as one deity known as
Mazu the Taoist goddess of the sea and queen of heaven who represents health,
wealth and prosperity. The Nine Emperor Gods are part of a spirit-medium cult
known locally as Jieu Hwang Yeh. These nine deities are believed to dwell
in the stars in heaven under the reign of Mazu.
