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Culture of Malaysia


Malaysia is a diverse and multicultural country located in Southeast Asia. Its culture is a rich blend of various ethnicities, religions, and traditions. The main cultural influences in Malaysia come from Malay, Chinese, Indian, indigenous groups, and other immigrant communities.


LANGUAGE

Bahasa Malaysia (Malay)  is the official language of Malaysia, and it's the language that unites the nation. It's taught in schools and used in government and official documents. Most Malaysians are fluent in Bahasa Malaysia.

The Chinese community in Malaysia, which consists mainly of  Cantonese, Mandarin, and other Chinese dialect speakers, continues to use their native languages in daily life. Mandarin, in particular, is widely taught in Chinese schools, and you'll often hear it in Chinese communities.


The Tamil language is spoken by the Indian community, primarily those of South Indian descent. It's commonly used in Indian cultural and religious activities.

English is very important in Malaysia, especially in business, education, and the urban areas. It's taught in schools and universities, and many Malaysians are fluent in English. You'll find signs in English, and many Malaysians can hold conversations in English comfortably.

Malaysia's different languages show how its history and people get along, even if they speak different languages. Many Malaysians can speak more than one language, and this mix of languages makes Malaysia a lively and culturally rich country.


OUTFIT

In Malaysia, people like to dress up in special clothes for important times like festivals.

Malays: Men wear "Baju Melayu," which is like a traditional outfit with a long shirt, and women wear "Baju Kurung," which is a pretty dress. They wear these on big days like Hari Raya to look nice and festive.


Chinese: Chinese men wear a special jacket called a "Tang suit," and women wear a beautiful dress called "cheongsam" during events like the Chinese New Year. Some older women wear something comfy called "samfoo."




Indians: Indian women wear "sarees," which are colorful and elegant. For special events, Indian men put on a fancy shirt called "kurta." They also have other cool outfits like "Sherwani," "Lungi," and "Dhoti."


These traditional clothes are like a way to show their culture and make celebrations even more special. They're colorful, stylish, and make everyone look their best during happy times.



ETHNIC

In Sabah, which is a part of Malaysia, there are three big groups of native people. The largest one is the Kadazan-Dusun. They usually live in hilly areas and work as farmers.



The second biggest group is the Bajau. They're often called "Sea Gypsies" because they live most of their lives at sea. Bajau are famous for their diving skills, and they can stay underwater without special equipment for a long time, about 5 minutes!


The third group is the Murut, and their name means "hill people." They live in longhouses near rivers and do things like hunting, fishing, and farming in the hills. They also use blowpipes for hunting.


In Sarawak, the largest tribe is the Ibans. They used to be known as "Sea Dayaks" because they were farmers, pirates, and fishermen. Most Ibans are Christians now, but they still keep many of their traditional beliefs and customs alive.


RELIGION

Islam is the official religion of Malaysia and has the largest following among the population. The influence of Islam in Malaysian is evident in various aspects of society and culture. For example, daily reminders of prayer during television programs, special prayer rooms in buildings,  rules about how to prepare and eat food which is the 'halal' way, as well as the educational and financial institutions. It also have many Muslim festivals and events that celebrated by Malaysian people, and also national holidays, such as the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad.



Buddhism and Hinduism were introduced to Malaysia a long time ago by Indian traders.  These religions have had a big impact on how things are done in Malaysia, like art, culture, and how to run their country. Buddhists celebrate special events, such as Vesak.




In conclusion, the mix of traditions and beliefs makes Malaysia is a unique country and shows that people from various backgrounds can live together happily. It's a source of pride for Malaysia and a great example of how different groups can come together and make a strong and happy country.


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