HERITAGE AND CRAFTS
Published by : Tourism Malaysia, Ministry of Tourism. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher. While every e ort has been made to ensure that the information contained herein is correct at the time of publication, Tourism Malaysia shall not be held liable for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies which may occur.
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MYANMAR
LAOS
CAMBODIA PHILIPPINES VIETNAM THAILAND
MALAYSIA BRUNEI DARUSSALAM SINGAPORE
INDONESIA
Map of MALAYSIA PERLIS Kangar Alor Star KEDAH
Kota Bharu
KELANTAN
Georgetown PENANG
Kuala Terengganu TERENGGANU
PERAK Ipoh
South China Sea PAHANG Kuantan SELANGOR KUALA LUMPUR Putrajaya
Kota Kinabalu
Shah Alam Labuan
NEGERI SEMBILAN Seremban
Straits of Malacca
MELAKA
SABAH Melaka JOHOR Johor Bahru
SARAWAK
Kuching
Legend State Capital Federal Territory
Come and Experience the Heritage of All Asia Greeting any visitor to Malaysia is an amazing diversity of local faces and global races. A legacy born since the days when this realm that straddles the Asian continent and the Malay Archipelago became a historic crossroads of peoples and cultures of seafarers and traders.
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From the age of ancient kingdoms culminating in the fabulous 15th century Malacca Sultanate came a legacy of trade that brought people from China, India, Persia and Arabia, and from the 16th century a succession of Europeans – Portuguese, Dutch and British. Over time all the groups intermingled, natives and newcomers, weaving a rich heritage that evolved to become the multi-ethnic yet harmonious nation it is today.
Masjid Jamek, Kuala Lumpur is a fine example of Moorish architecture, located in a picturesque setting astride the confluence of two rivers
A’Famosa, Malacca is an old Portuguese fort built around the city. Demolished by the British in the 18th century, all that remains is the iconic gateway
Thus to experience the heritage of Malaysia is to share in an ancient and modern mix of the cultures in all of Asia, and beyond.
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Today, greeting any visitor to Malaysia is an exciting yet peaceful blend of many different races and religions. Be it in the customs or cuisine, fashions or festivals, houses or handicrafts, there is a mind-boggling variety of cultures, beliefs and languages existing side-byside in remarkable harmony. Come and experience this fascinating milieu. Be immersed in the rich, living heritage and this colourful spectrum of Malaysian culture, cuisine and crafts.
Welcome to Malaysia. Enjoy our heritage, and bring a piece of it home with you.
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PEOPLE & CUSTOMS
In Malaysia, all of Asia’s main ethnic groups and all the world’s major religions are represented.
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A Unique Ethnic & Cultural Experience In Malaysia, visitors will be surprised to find all of Asia’s main ethnic groups living together in harmony. Indeed, all the world’s major religions are also represented here. An interesting sight in major towns is the proximity of mosques, temples and churches to each other. This social phenomenon has enriched the shared character, cultural mosaic and vision of the nation. Mingle with the country’s over 25 million people, consisting of the majority Malays and other indigenous groups including the Orang Asli, Dayaks, KadazanDusun, Melanau, Murut and more. Joining them are the Chinese, Indians, groups of mixed descent such as Baba-Nyonyas and Eurasians of Portuguese and other European ancestry as well as more recent immigrants from Asian countries.
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Malays form more than half of the population, profess Islam as their religion and speak Bahasa Melayu, from which comes the national language. Formerly an agrarian society, Malays are known for their gentle mannerisms and cultural refinement.
The Chinese are the second largest ethnic group in Malaysia, accounting for just over a quarter of the population. Comprising several dialect groups from mostly southern China (Hokkien, Hakka, Cantonese, Teochew, Hockchew and others), most are descendants of 19th century immigrants and are renowned for their industriousness and business acumen.
Indians originally came from the Indian subcontinent in the 19th century to work in plantations, estates and railroads. Today, they make up slightly less than a tenth of the population. The largest subgroup are Tamil speakers, followed by a sizeable Punjabi community, as well as groups speaking Malayalam and Hindi/Urdu.
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Malaysia is home to a remarkable number of indigenous groups. Some still lead semi-nomadic lives, but many have settled in villages and live increasingly modern lives.
Sarawak are the Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu, sometimes collectively called Dayaks. There are also the Melanau and Penan. They traditionally live in long houses along the state’s many rivers.
On the peninsula, the many tribes of Orang Asli (Aboriginal People) form the largest group, numbering just over 100,000.
The largest groups in Sabah are the KadazanDusun, Bajau and Murut, while smaller communities include the Bisayah, Iranun, Suluk and Bonggi. Traditionally, they live in the many water villages found along the coastal areas.
The states of Sabah and Sarawak in Borneo are mainly made up of their native communities. The major groups in
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Finally, there are the mixed races, who hail mainly from Malacca and Penang, the historic places of cultural intermixing. They include BabaNyonyas, also known as ‘Peranakan’ or ‘Straits Chinese’, who are of ChineseMalay ancestry, and Eurasians who are direct descendants of Portuguese colonists in 16th century Malacca.
Celebrations and Festivals Celebrate life in multi-racial, multi-religious Malaysia, where there is an astonishing array of cultural observances. More than just rituals and traditions, they are a way of life mutually respected by all. Indeed Malaysia celebrates numerous festivals of different origins. Most are public holidays, either nationwide or specific to some states. Although they are either religious or cultural festivals, like everything else in Malaysia’s plural society the festivities are influenced by the diversity of the people. This is best reflected in the practice of ‘Open House’ or Rumah Terbuka, where celebrants invite friends of different races to their homes to join in the festivities.
Hari Raya Puasa (Aidil Fitri)
Hari Raya Haji (Aidil Adha)
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday
Muslims celebrate Hari Raya or Aidil Fitri to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadhan. In Malaysia, special morning prayers are held in all mosques and families visit graves of departed loved ones to recite prayers. This is also the time for family reunions where the younger generation will seek forgiveness from their elders for any wrongs committed.
Aidil Adha marks the completion of the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. In Malaysia, it is more commonly known as Hari Raya Haji or Hari Raya Korban. The highlight of the festival is the sacrifice of cattle, goats or rams, following which the meat is distributed to the poor.
The Prophet was born on the third month of the Muslim calendar in 570 AD. In Malaysia, his birthday is commemorated with gatherings for religious lectures and recitals of verses from the Holy Qur’an.
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Chinese New Year
Christmas
This festival marks the start of the new year according to the Chinese lunar calendar and is a time for joyous family reunions and feasting. Gifts of ang pow (money packets), firecrackers and lion dances are some of the Chinese New Year highlights.
Many Chinese, Indians and indigenous communities of Sabah and Sarawak are Christians. On 25 December, special services are held in churches all over Malaysia while carollers mark the yuletide spirit in homes and shopping centres.
Mooncake & Lantern Festival
Deepavali
Also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, this event is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. It marks a successful rebellion against the Mongol rulers of the Yuan Dynasty in 14th century China, where secret messages were hidden inside some mooncakes while lanterns were used as signals. Today, round mooncakes with various fillings are presented as gifts while lantern processions are held.
Also known as the Festival of Lights, the Hindu celebration of Deepavali (or Diwali) is observed in the seventh month of the Tamil lunar calendar. It marks Lord Krishna’s legendary victory of light over darkness, the triumph of good over evil. Hindus celebrate by adorning their homes with oil lamps, taking a ritual morning bath and offering ceremonial prayers in temples, amidst the chimes of bells.
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Wesak Day
Thaipusam
A day when Buddhists observe the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha. Religious offerings and rituals - such as ‘bathing of the Buddha’, chanting of sutras (holy scriptures), lighting of joss sticks and ordination of monks - usually take place in the Buddhist temples around Malaysia. Night sees colourful processions of decorated floats with devotees carrying candles to denote the ‘path of light and righteousness’.
The Hindu celebration in the 10th month of the lunar calendar marks Lord Subramaniam’s birthday. On the eve of Thaipusam, a statue of the deity is drawn in an elaborate procession from Kuala Lumpur to the stepped Batu Caves temple. The next day, devotees carry ornately decorated kavadis on their shoulders, with hooks and spikes extending into various parts of the body as an expression of penance and thanksgiving.
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Gawai
Ka’amatan
Vesakhi
This centuries-old celebration in early June marks the end of the padi planting season and the start of the new season for the Dayaks of Sarawak. Ancestral graves are tended to and other rituals performed. Celebrations begin with a reunion dinner for the entire family. Tuak (rice wine) is served and there is much merrymaking with traditional costumes, dances and community events. Livestock is also sacrificed to ensure a good harvest the following season.
The KadazanDusun and Murut groups of Sabah celebrate their harvest festival in May. The highlight is a ceremony performed by the Bobohizan, or high priestess, to pay homage to the rice spirit so that a good harvest can be expected. Tapai (rice wine) is commonly served amidst festivities, and a harvest queen contest is held to seek the fairest maiden in honour of a legendary heroine of the community.
The new year celebration for Sikhs, it also commemorates the birth of the Khalsa order in 1699 AD, when Guru Gobind Singh (the 10th Sikh Guru) baptized the Sikhs, bestowing the name Singh - meaning ‘lion’ - upon males, and Kaur - meaning ‘princess’ - upon females. At home and in Sikh temples, prayers are chanted and hymns are sung.
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TRADITIONAL ATTIRE
The array of Malaysia’s traditional costumes are stunningly diverse and colourful.
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A Dazzling Tapestry of Asian Traditions From magnificent tribal head-feathers with bark body-covers to antique gold-woven royal songket fabric, the array of Malaysia’s traditional costumes and textiles are stunningly diverse and colourful. Many of their origins are millennia-old and represent Asia’s entire fashion heritage. The traditional attire of Malaysia began with the native bark costumes and beads and by the time of the ancient kingdoms had evolved to hand-loomed fine textiles and intricate Malay batik motifs. As foreign trade, influence and immigrants increased, costumes worn across the Malaysian landscape became more diverse with Chinese silks, Indian pulicat and Arabian jubbah. Today traditional attire, from Malay kebaya labuh and locally inspired Muslim women’s fashions to Indian saree and Chinese cheongsam are still in vogue.
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Malay Before the 20th century, Malay women still wore kemban bodicewraps in public - just a sarong tied above the chest. Growing Islamic awareness gave rise to the more modest yet elegant baju kebaya long sleeve blouse with sarong and the baju kurung, a longer dress over a tailored kain. A variety of fashionable headscarves accompany the observant lady. For men, the trousered baju Melayu, coupled with a samping hip wrap remains the timehonoured traditional dress, with the handcrafted baju batik shirt popular with all Malaysians. Hand-printed or drawn batik, woven songket and embroidered tekat are some of the popular Malay textiles. Headgear such as men’s tengkolok and Minang ladies’ buffalo horninspired headdress are a few of the more exotic accessories.
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Chinese
Indian
Chinese textiles and costumes, especially silks and fine embroideries are known worldwide. The traditional cheongsam or ‘long dress’ worn by ladies is a popular contemporary fashion in all its exciting variations. The dress is easy to slip on and comfortable to wear. Its neck is raised, with a closed collar. Sleeves may be short, medium or full length. The dress has a loose chest usually buttoned on the right side, a fitting waist and slits on either one or both sides of the custome. Traditional male costumes, such as the Ming robe however, are less ubiquitous.
Indian fashion is synonymous everywhere with the elegant saree. Likewise in Malaysia, the saree is a long unstitched length of fabric draped around the body in various styles or folds, which traditionally could be used to indicate the social status of the wearer. Considering the variety of materials, textures and designs that are employed in saree usage, it is truly a fascinating fruit of the loom. The kurta on the other hand, is associated with Indian male attire. There is also the trousered salwar kameez or the ‘Punjabi costume’ as it is originally associated with Sikh ladies.
Sarawak
Sabah
Malaysia’s largest state also has numerous tribal costumes unique to each ethnic group. Using different clothing designs and organically curved native motifs, common materials would be hand-loomed cloths, tree bark fabrics, feathers, woven hats and also beadwork especially for Orang Ulu tribes. Among internationally known Sarawak textiles are the Iban woven pua kumbu and Sarawak Malay songket as well as colourful bead accessories, traditional jewellery and head adornments.
The many different ethnic groups in Sabah exhibit various traditional costumes that are unique to the state. Each group adorns attire, headgear and personal ornaments that have distinctive forms, motifs and colour schemes characteristic of their respective tribe and district. However, culturally different groups who live in close proximity may have similarities in their traditional attire. Hats and headgear are particularly interesting, especially the KadazanDusun ladies’ straw hat designs, the Bajau woven dastar headgear and most peculiarly, the Lotud man folds his headdress with the number of points signifying the number of wives he has.
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Orang Asli As the Aboriginal groups, referred to as Orang Asli, come in over 18 ethnolinguistic communities, broadly categorised under Negrito, Senoi and Proto-Malay subgroups, there is also a good diversity in their attire. Nonetheless, being traditionally forest dwellers the clothing of deep jungle Orang Asli from ages past are made from natural materials, for example bark of trees such as the terap as well as grass skirts. Ornaments include headbands woven from leaf fronds skilfully made in intricate patterns.
Portuguese-Eurasian
Baba-Nyonya
Descended from Portuguese settlers of the 16th century, their traditional attire comes from the Portuguese-European heritage. Men wear jackets and trousers with waist sashes, ladies wear broad front-layered skirts. There is a preponderance of black and red colours. Otherwise ladies also like to wear the kebaya.
Also called ‘Straits Chinese’ and ‘Peranakan’, the Baba-Nyonya descendants of Chinese nobles who married Malays adopted much of Malay culture into their Chinese heritage. As many were merchant families, they could afford refined clothings that were taken from both communities. The elegant women’s Kebaya Nyonya embroidered dress is one such legacy, as well as expensive brocade shoes and Nyonya heirloom jewellery.
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TRADITIONAL MUSIC & DANCE
True to Malaysia’s mixed heritage, the music and dances vary, and have evolved into enchanting and complex art forms.
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Enjoy The Rhythm and Sway of Diversity Among Malaysia’s many cultures, music and dance are almost inseparable. Where there is one, the other is present. True to Malaysia's mixed heritage, the music and dances vary greatly and have evolved into the enchanting and complex art forms that are enjoyed today.
Musical Instruments Originally, Malaysian music probably didn’t even begin as a pure art form, but as an ingenious communication method. In ancient Malay kingdoms, the rebana ubi giant drums took on the role of communicative tools, where different rhythmic drumbeats conveyed various messages from warnings to wedding notices. Eventually the drumbeats evolved into entertaining accompaniments. Drums then complemented the gamelan, an exotic orchestra with its ensemble of gong percussion and stringed instruments shared with Indonesia, with its otherworldly lilting melodies. Another ensemble was the nobat, solemn court music with its serunai and nafiri wind instruments.
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A selection of other native instruments abound from the Orang Asli nose flutes to Sabah’s multi-tubed sompoton and Sarawak’s local bamboo string guitar called sape. As with other things, foreign musical influences found fertile ground in Malaysia. Over the centuries, Persian, Arab, Indian and Chinese music and instruments made Malaysia their adopted home and contributed to the nation’s rich musical heritage. Still, for those interested to learn more of the rebana message drums, come for the annual traditional Giant Drum Festival for a taste of yesterday’s rhythms.
Malay There is so much variety in Malay dance. Yet the oldest may not even have begun as a dance, but as the deadly martial art of Silat. With flowery hand and body movements to mesmerise and confuse opponents, silat evolved into a danceable art form. The various Joget dances, one of Malaysia’s most popular cultural dance forms, have lively movements with an upbeat tempo performed by couples. The Tarian Lilin candle dance is one of the most enthralling and beautiful performances. Female dancers hold saucers containing a candle each and move in graceful turns without extinguishing the delicate flames, entrancing spectators.
Zapin was inspired by the Arabs and originally performed by male dancers. Today, females also perform it in covered attire. Boria mixes song and dance, with a lead who sings solo and those behind singing the chorus while dancing in unison. Kuda Kepang dancedrama performers ride twodimensional hide or rattan horses in vigorous moves to re-enact the early Islamic battles for survival, accompanied by hypnotic music from exotic instruments such as angklungs and gongs. There is probably no other Malaysian dance drama more enchanting than the classical Makyong. This ancient court entertainment combines graceful movements, romantic stories, local operatic singing and even humour.
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Chinese Most Chinese dances in Malaysia were brought from mainland China. These include the ever-popular Lion Dance as well as Dragon Dance, Fan Dance and Lantern Dance. In the lion dance, two people don the head and body of a stylised lion made from cloth and paper, with the one in the head mask of the lion leading the movements. The lion dancers also follow the antics of one or two clowns who act as jokers. A team of drummers beat drums and cymbals, making the lion dance a loudly spirited affair. The lion dance is performed during Chinese New Year, Chap Goh Meh celebrations and opening ceremonies to gain blessings from the gods. The dragon dance is similar but less common as it requires many dancers to perform with three groups to each take on the head, body and tail of the dragon.
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Indian Among the popular Indian dances in Malaysia are the Bharata Natyam and Bhangra. The former is a classical style characterised by fast and complex dance moves that tell a story. This classical dancing combines about 100 steps and gestures, choreographed into dance dramas from ancient Indian epics. Classical dancers are initiated early, by the age of five, in order to master the intricate movements.
The Bhangra dance is very much a colourful feature of the Malaysian Sikh community. Originally a harvest dance, it integrates a host of lively turns and stunts by the dancers in turbaned headdresses, making it vibrant and raucously cheerful. It is accompanied by a medley of folk songs, clapping, drums and tambourines.
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Sarawak The Datun Julud and Ngajat are among the popular dances of Sarawak. Datun Julud illustrates the age-old tradition of storytelling in dance, relating the legend of a prince’s happiness when blessed with a grandson. The dance became widespread among the Kenyah tribe. The sape, the native guitar of Sarawak, renders the dance beats accompanied by singing and hand-clapping.
Sabah An exotic dance found only in Sabah is the Sumazau, performed by two rows of men and women who face each other and move with a steady hypnotic rhythm. Their hand gestures imitate
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the flight of great birds. Another favourite dance in both Sabah and Sarawak requires dancers to perform with bamboo poles moving back and forth in between their feet. This requires great agility to avoid their feet being trapped as the beat accelerates.
Orang Asli Many dances of the Orang Asli of Peninsular Malaysia relate to the belief in spirits. Traditional witch-doctors employ rituals to communicate with these invisible powers. These rituals may involve dances such as Genggulang for the Mahmeri, Berjerom for the JahHut and the hand-swaying Sewang for the Semai and Temiar.
Portuguese The Farapeira and Branyo are two famous dances among Malacca’s Portuguese community. The Branyo is more staid, with male dancers in Western-like costume and ladies in kebaya dancing to a steady rhythm played by drums and violin. The Farapeira is a fast, cheerful dance accompanied by guitars and tambourines, performed by couples dressed in the traditional costumes of the Portuguese descendants.
GAMES & PASTIMES
Many games and pastimes have been preserved in their original forms.
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Experience the Expressions of Communal Sharing Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage offers a wide range of traditional games and pastimes. In agrarian societies, these are activities enjoyed after working in the fields and orchards or during celebrations. Ranging from indoor and outdoor games to the martial as well as performing arts; these are expressions of communal sharing. Traditional games were usually played in the kampung (villages) and are especially important to the rural Malays as well as other native communities. Today, many games and pastimes have been preserved in their original forms. There are also various cultural activities and festivals throughout the year where specific games and pastimes can be enjoyed by all.
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Silat
Sepak Raga
This fascinating Malay martial art is not just for self-defence, but is also a recognised international sport. It is also a dance form engaging the flowery movements originally meant to mesmerise opponents. Silat has been known in the Malay Archipelago for centuries. In this art of selfdefence, the practitioner also develops spiritual strength that is in accordance with Islamic tenets, and is popular with Malay youths. Silat is also performed at Malay weddings and cultural festivals, where it is often accompanied by drums and gongs.
In this traditional ball game, also called sepak takraw, a ball about the size of an open hand and made of woven strips of buluh bamboo or even rattan is kicked about with the legs or any part of the body except the lower hands. There are two main types the original form is sepak raga bulatan or a circle where the team tries to keep the ball aloft as long as possible. The modern sepak raga jaring or net court form is now played in international competitions.
Wau / Kite-Flying A wau or local kite is known for its creative shapes and features. The bamboo frame of the wau usually measures 2 to 3.5 metres in length and is artistically decorated with local motifs in coloured paper. The most popular shape is the wau bulan (moon kite), where the tail of the kite is curved in a shape of a crescent moon. What used to be a post-harvest pastime among farmers, especially in Kelantan, is now an international kite festival which draws participants from around the world.
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Top-Spinning A traditional game requiring physical dexterity, timing and sometimes strength, a gasing or Malay top is made of metal or timber weighing as much as 5.5 kg and sometimes can be as big as a dinner plate. It is launched into a
spin by quickly unfurling a rope wrapped around the body after which it is scooped off the ground using a wooden bat and transferred onto a low post with a metal receptacle. In competitions, skilful spinners can launch the gasing to spin for hours, outlasting their opponents.
Congkak An indoor game of two players, congkak is played on a board with two rows of seven holes. On each end is a larger hole known as rumah (home). Played by turns, the objective of the game is to be the first to fill up the player’s rumah with as many tokens as possible from the seven holes.
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Wayang Kulit The traditional ‘shadow play’ theatre is performed by casting animated puppet shadows on a white cloth screen. The puppet characters and stories were usually taken from ancient Indian epics. The figures used are artistically made from buffalo hide and mounted on bamboo sticks. One person, a Tok Dalang or master storyteller, usually conducts the whole show from behind the screen as he recites the tale with appropriate sounds and movements.
Rebana Ubi / Bergendang The beating of giant drums known as rebana ubi are a feature at especially Kelantanese festivals. A variety of rhythms are beaten on the drums weighing 100 kg, by men with great
gusto. These recall ancient times before the telephone and Internet when the rebana ubi were used to communicate from village to village across vast distances. Wedding announcements, danger warnings and other important matters were drummed out using set beats.
There is a similar heritage in Sarawak, but women take over the beat in a stylish presentation of traditional drumming called Bergendang. Normally seated behind a screen, the women drum out their beats with style and rhythm, accompanying songs sung by maidens while men dance.
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Megagong In Sabah, traditional brass or wooden percussion instruments form an integral part of ethnic music in ceremonies and festivals. Different communities may use a different complement of instruments. The KadazanDusun use a six gong ensemble while the Bajau include the kulintangan, a set of horizontal gongs, to accompany the performance.
Sepak Manggis An unusual outdoor game played by the tough Bajau and Iranun men in Sabah. Players face each other in a circle and aim to strike the bunga manggis floral carrier, which contains money, gifts or edibles. The manggis dangles from a 10 m-high pole.
Chingay A lively performance displaying acrobatic skills originating from Malaysia’s Chinese community, the chingay processions showcase performers balancing huge poles with enormous triangular flags on their foreheads, chins, lower jaws and shoulders, accompanied by drummers and bicycle artistes. While associated with festivals in Penang, other places in Malaysia also hold chingay parades.
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TRADITIONAL CUISINE
In Malaysia you can arguably try a different dish daily for a year and still not have tasted it all.
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A Taste of All the Flavours of Asia In cities around the world you can find a great variety of foods, but Malaysia’s multicultural culinary tradition is a mind-boggling daily choice. Each ethnic group has contributed to the nation’s great gastronomic heritage. You can arguably try a different local dish daily for a year and still not have tasted all. Food outlets of all types and for all budgets are easy to find around Malaysia. Visitors will be pleasantly suprised to discover that eating out here is easy on the pocket. Malaysia has a hugely varied national menu with Malay, Chinese, Indian and regional fusion recipes from across Asia. Within each ethnic type, every subgroup has its own differences, and among the indigenous groups there are particular specialities. Although rice is the staple diet, many dishes go with a different base such as flour. Generally, Malay and Indian cooking is spicier whereas Chinese food is milder on the palate. Japanese and Middle Eastern cuisine are increasingly popular while Western fare is not unfamiliar.
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Malay Spices play a huge part in not just Malay cuisine, but have also been a factor in Malaysian culinary history as part of the Spice Islands trade. Ingredients such as chili, black pepper, coriander, cumin, fennel, turmeric, lemon grass, ginger and coconut milk are common. The regional influences of the Javanese, Thais and the Minang of Sumatra have contributed to the exciting range of cuisine. Signature Malay dishes include satay, the most loved eat-out dish in Malaysia. Bite-sized marinated chicken or beef pieces on sticks are barbecued over charcoal fire. Satay is served with ketupat (rice cubes), raw
cucumber and onions all dipped in sweet spicy peanut sauce. Nasi lemak is another national favourite especially for breakfast. Rice cooked in coconut milk is served with chili sambal, fried peanuts, anchovies, egg and cucumber slices. Nasi goreng (fried rice) comes in many forms, while nasi dagang (fish curry coloured rice) and nasi kerabu are traditional East Coast fare. Other typical Malay dishes include various mee and laksa noodles as well as soupy lontong and soto. A Malay delicacy not to be missed is lemang or glutinous rice cooked in bamboo and eaten with rendang spice-blended meats.
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Chinese Regional Chinese food from Cantonese to Hokkien to Szechuan are all common in Malaysia. Cantonese food is lighter and less greasy than the hot and sour flavoured Szechuan style. Rice and noodles are the staple diet. Chinese restaurants in Malaysia also offer other specialities such as Peking duck and shark’s fin soup. A popular choice is dim sum, a selection of steamed dishes such as dumplings, prawn bites and similar tidbits on small plates, served in little baskets which are presented from table to table. Choose as many plates as you like and later, the number of plates are tallied and billed accordingly. Yee sang raw fish salad is a must during Chinese New Year.
Indian North Indian Mughal tandooris and briyanis, South Indian fish head curries as well as a variety of roti breads; all are readily available in Malaysia. The only thing common in this assortment of Indian fare is the use of spices, with rice and flour breads as the staple. The
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simple but famed roti canai pancake bread from flour and ghee is a muchloved dish in local Indian-Muslim restaurants, accompanied by teh tarik – hot tea with milk and ‘pulled’ to mix and cool them – a national mainstay. In some restaurants, experience a novelty of having your food served on a banana leaf instead of a plate. From Penang comes the nasi kandar, literally
‘pole rice’ from the way the spicy rice mixed dishes used to be balanced in containers hanging from a pole on the vendor’s shoulder. Then there is the rojak, which is a popular mixed salad served with peanut sauce and other ingredients. A Malay and Chinese variety is the rojak buah or local fruit salad.
Sabah & Sarawak Sabah and Sarawak each offers local variations and particular native specialities. In Sarawak, there is Sarawak laksa and mee kolok. Among traditional jungle dwellers, food consists of natural forest ingredients cooked in hollow bamboo tubes, called pansuh. Rice and even meats can be placed in the bamboo hollow and cooked over a fire. Cooking in bamboo is naturally clean, fuss-free and environmentally friendly, while giving a unique aroma and texture not found in food cooked in pots. For the adventurous, Melanau cuisine offers a local delicacy of sago worms as well as umai marinated raw fish. Similarly in Sabah, the Muruts are famous for jaruk, cooking in bamboo tubes but with the ingredients allowed to ferment. Pickled dishes are a local speciality. In days before refrigeration the interior peoples developed ingenious ways of preserving meats and vegetables. Utilising the preservative ability of a number of fruits and seeds, together with salt, they created many types of pickles and preserves. The more well-known foods of this type are the various hinava pickled dishes of the KadazanDusun community.
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Nyonya Nyonya cuisine refers to the mixed cooking heritage of the Baba-Nyonya of Chinese-Malay ancestry. It comprises a heady blend of Malay spices and local ingredients with Chinese and mixed recipes, resulting in Nyonya versions of steamed fish, curry laksa, otak-otak and enche kabin. Northern Nyonya delicacies from Penang have a slight Thai flavour and even Indian-Muslim influence, including Nyonya acar pickles, besombor mixed salad, minced meat congee and spare ribs soup. Southern Nyonya food in Malacca is similar but spicier and rich in coconut milk.
Portuguese Cuisine of the Portuguese community offers a unique blending of spice paste, pounded herbs, lemon grass and shallots that bears little resemblance to food in Portugal. Popular dishes include devil curry with deeply blended spices, cucumber and pineapple chilli salad and karing-karing fretu, a snack of fried silver threadfish sprinkled with lime juice.
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ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE
While the old architectural heritage is still preserved, Malaysia has created its own world-class modern icons.
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Ancient to Modern, A Wealth of Building Traditions The architecture all around Malaysia today displays almost every imaginable architectural category and style of Asia’s main cultures and religions. Yet while the old architectural heritage is preserved, Malaysia looks forward and creates its own new towering heritage in the world.
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Distinctive Chinese-style roofs
Today most Malaysian cities and towns are a milieu of old and new. As exemplified by the capital Kuala Lumpur, where traditional houses and colonial edifices stand together with mosques, temples and churches; all within walking distance under the shadow of a new heritage, the Petronas Twin Towers, the world’s tallest twin buildings.
This architectural evolution is the result of historical influences on the nation over the centuries. It began from the ancient forest-born native dwellings to HinduIndian and Arab-Muslim influences followed by the arrival of the Chinese as the Asian part. Then came the series of European colonial periods from the Portuguese, Dutch and finally the British but which was tempered by local sentiment throughout; finally to the independent modern Malaysian vision yet still rooted in traditional spirituality.
Traditional and State Palaces / Royal Museums Not many traditional timber palaces are left in Malaysia, but those that stand are exquisite one-of-a-kind buildings that reflect the ingenuity of Malay building crafts, and deserve to be preserved and visited. Some have been turned into Royal Museums as the Sultans and their families live in new palaces of mixed European or modern design.
Traditional Architecture The traditional houses of the Malays and other Indigenous groups are environmentally friendly; made of natural materials – timber, bamboo and weavings and raised on stilts for protection and ventilation. Wood carvings may adorn walls and edges. Roofs are large and sloped in various styles.
Beautifully carved Malay roof eaves
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Longhouses / Water Villages These unique traditional community dwellings are found in Sabah and Sarawak. Longhouses are home to interior riverine tribes, with rows of multifamily spaces fronted by a communal corridor. Fascinating water villages built on stilts directly on the river or sea are dotted around the Borneo coasts.
Traditional carved pole figures of Malaysian Borneo
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Mosques An amazing variety of old and new mosques in an array of different architectural styles from traditional Malay to Arabic-Persian or North Indian and even ultra-modern design can be found in every nook and corner of this predominantly Muslim nation.
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Chinese and Buddhist Temples Chinese temples are found in many parts of Malaysia and are inspired largely by the architecture of Southern China. The oldest existing Chinese temple in Southeast Asia, Cheng Hoon Teng dating from 1646, is found in Malacca.
Thean Hou Temple, Kuala Lumpur
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Hindu and Sikh Temples As most of Malaysia’s Hindu adherents are from southern India, likewise local Hindu temples are influenced by colourful south Indian architecture. The Sikhs, although a small minority, also have their temples of more staid design in many parts of the country.
Sri Kandaswamy Temple, Kuala Lumpur
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Churches Many old churches of heritage status can be found in Malacca, Penang and Kuala Lumpur, with newer churches in other parts of the country. The colonial period churches are naturally of European, especially British and some Dutch influenced designs.
Colonial Period Styles – Portuguese, Dutch, British Colonial architecture is reflected in old buildings of the various European colonialists from 1511 to 1957. Only a few Portuguese examples remain, with the ruins of A’Famosa fort in Malacca being the oldest colonial structure in Southeast Asia. The oldest Dutch building in Southeast Asia, the Stadthuys, also stands in Malacca. From the English come all the rest, including the pretty collection of surprisingly Islamic Mughal architectural style of buildings around Kuala Lumpur’s Merdeka Square area.
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Pre-Merdeka Shophouses Merdeka means Independence, and the old pre-war or pre-Merdeka shophouse designs had a certain stylistic identity or heritage character that still stands out even when the façade was worn and the building dilapidated. The traditional kaki lima or ‘five-foot way’ remains a practical invention used even today in modern shophouses.
Ornate architecture of the colonial period in Malacca.
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Modern Heritage While old is gold; sometimes new structures, by sheer force of achievement or world record become new heritage treasures. One such example is the Petronas Twin Towers, becoming the world’s tallest buildings when they were completed in 1997, plus having the world’s tallest skybridge linking two structures. Since then, the impressive lakeside mosque, edifices and bridges of Putrajaya have also attracted visitors who marvel at this new federal administrative centre.
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HANDICRAFTS
You will find all kinds of textiles and accessories, wood crafts, ceramic and clayware, crafts made of precious or common metals and of superb workmanship.
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Every Craft Under the Tropical Sun Malaysia boasts a delightful variety of traditional hand-crafted objects. Choices range from priceless authentic antiques to modern hand-made crafts so exquisite that they are in fact heritage-inspired objets d’art. Just name the craft and there are locally available items of the type, as Malaysia hosts every aspect of craft heritage in Asia. They can be wearable materials or functional household items to purely eye-pleasing dÊcor objects. You will find all kinds of textiles and accessories, wood crafts, ceramic and clayware, crafts made of precious or common metals and of superb workmanship. There are also artistic weavings or simply lovely paintings and artworks that are a joy to behold. Best of all, they are of excellent comparative value and well worth acquiring.
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Wood Crafts As a land of great forests and timber diversity, Malaysia has long been a source of wood crafts. Even whole traditional houses were built in exquisitely hand-carved timber. Today, antique Malay panel carvings or keris dagger handles, Chinese containers and unusual Orang Asli spirit sculptures, as well as moulded walking sticks, kitchen utensils or even decorative scented woods are among the wide range of useful things to adorn your home.
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Textiles The origins of the many different colourful and beautiful traditional textiles are lost in antiquity. But they are still used and are famous worldwide, with exotic names like batik (hand printed or drawn types), songket woven with gold thread, loom weavings such as the pua kumbu of Sarawak or tekat velvet embroideries of Perak and Baba-Nyonya handiwork. Find these textiles in clothings of all fashions; sarongs, pareos, beachwear and headgear, shoes, beddings, cushion or table covers, bags and fans; or just one-off fabrics of unique designs fashioned into a host of dĂŠcor pieces.
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Traditional handlooms are used to make intricate songket cloths
Much patience is required to make the exquisite tekat embroideries
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Costume Accessories Choices galore can be found in clothing accessories, ranging from crafted leather goods and belts to Borneo beadwork necklaces or bangles, hats and beaded carriers made in traditional styles with local spirit or ‘tree of life’ motifs.
Antique Bornean beadworks are also prized family heirlooms
The tanjak or tengkolok, Malaysia’s royal headgear
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Jewellery Traditional jewellery are heirlooms in Malaysia. Browse around and you will find some truly handsome antique Malay craft pieces in the form of kerongsang brooches, kalung necklaces, even pending belt buckles or the exotic kembang goyang hairpiece to highlight your hair. The art of goldsmithing, silver filigree and gemworking live on in Malaysia, where you can ogle over the seductive designs of rings, bracelets, earrings and other precious items.
Metal Crafts Staying popular through the ages are traditional brass casting and bronze working for all kinds of useful utensils. A notable newer heritage is pewter craft made from tin, hugely important since the late 19th century, the search of which gave birth to Kuala Lumpur. Metal craft products include decorative items, vases, small furniture pieces, kettles and cookery items, serving trays, bowls, tepak sireh sets, candelabras, incense burners, rose-water sprinklers, gongs and musical instruments, keris blades, wind chimes and even lamps.
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Earthenware (Clay/Ceramics) Clay earthenware and ceramics have a long history in Malaysia, with even prehistoric pieces found. Today, antique as well as modern attractive Malay pottery such as Perak labu sayong or buyung gourd-shaped vessels as well as geluk and belanga, Chinese dragon kiln ceramics or Sarawak tribal motif pottery are all popular. Find them in decorative vases or flower pots, stylish pottery, sculpture and even kitchen accessories.
Weavings and Wovenware This is where one could go wild marvelling at ingenious traditional weaving skills and products. Local plant fibres and parts from bamboo, rattan, pandan and mengkuang leaves are coiled, plaited, twined and woven to produce comely bags and basketry of all kinds, colourful mats or tikar, hats and tudung saji, as well as the sepak raga ball.
Pastime Crafts You may know about the gasing spinning tops, shadow-play puppets or wau traditional kites and other pastimes. Some of these objects are not easy to make, requiring great skill and patience. The good news is that these craft items are available for you to use or just to decorate your home as a memento of your visit to this colourful land of heritage.
Today Malaysia is known around the world as a ‘one-stop’ destination for the cultures, heritage and crafts of all Asia.
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Listing of Museums, Handicraft Centres & Major Heritage Sites Museums
Craft Centres
Department of Museums & Antiquities Ministry of Culture, Arts & Heritage Malaysia Jalan Damansara 50566 Kuala Lumpur Tel : 03-2282 6255 • Fax : 03-2282 7294 Website: www.jma.gov.my E-mail : info@jma.gov.my
Kraftangan Malaysia Perbadanan Kemajuan Kraftangan Kompleks Kraf Kuala Lumpur Jalan Conlay, 50450 Kuala Lumpur Tel: 03-2162 7459 • Fax: 03-2161 2622 Website: www.kraftangan.gov.my
National Museum National History Museum Malay World Ethnological Museum Maritime Archaeological Museum Museum of Arts and Craft of the Orang Asli Lembah Bujang Archaeological Museum Sungai Mas Archaeological Museum Kayang Archaeological Museum Kota Kuala Kedah Historical Complex Kota Johor Lama Historical Complex Lukut Museum Architectural Museum of Malaysia Perak Museum Lenggong Archaeological Museum Lembah Bernam Archaeological Museum Kellie’s Castle Matang Historical Complex Sungai Lembing Museum Ulu Kelantan Archaeological Information Labuan Museum Marine Museum Chimney Information Center National Automobile Museum Natural History Museum
Kraftangan Malaysia (Sarawak) Tel: 082-444 205 • Fax: 082-440 003 Kraftangan Malaysia (Sabah) Tel: 088-433 461 • Fax: 088-424 491 Kraftangan Malaysia (Terengganu) Tel: 09-617 1033 • Fax: 09-617 2381 Kraftangan Malaysia (Kelantan) Tel: 09-712 6266 • Fax: 09-712 6278 Kraftangan Malaysia (Negeri Sembilan) Tel: 06-481 1045 • Fax: 06-481 5844 Kraftangan Malaysia (Perak) Tel: 05-757 6200 • Fax: 05-7576295 Kraftangan Malaysia (Kedah) Tel: 04-714 4103 • Fax: 04-714 4132 Kraftangan Malaysia (Johor) Tel: 07-235 0433 • Fax: 07-235 0432 Kompleks Kraf (Langkawi) Tel: 04-959 1913 • Fax: 04-959 2340 Kraftangan Malaysia (Pahang) Tel: 09-5385 698 • Fax: 09-5385 728 Kraftangan Malaysia (Selangor) Tel: 03-5510 7301 • Fax: 03-5519 4453
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Craft Boutiques
Monuments and Historical Sites
Karyaneka Kraf Boutique Kompleks Kraf Kuala Lumpur Jalan Conlay, 50450 Kuala Lumpur Tel: 03-2164 2987 • Fax: 03-2164 5344 E-mail: spksb@streamyx.com
Kuala Lumpur The Sultan Abdul Samad Building Chimney Building, Federal Territory
Karyaneka Kraf Boutique BB Plaza Tel/Fax : 03-2144 1519 Karyaneka Kraf Boutique Kuala Lumpur International Airport Tel/Fax: 03-8787 1351 Kompleks Kraf Langkawi Langkawi, Kedah Tel/Fax: 04-959 1139 Karyaneka Kraf Boutique Maju Junction Shopping Mall, Kuala Lumpur Tel/Fax: 03-2691 5726 Kindy International Sdn Bhd Malaysia Tourism Centre (MTC), Kuala Lumpur Tel: 03-4295 9120 • Fax: 03-4295 9213 Ridz Collection Malaysia Tourism Centre (MTC), Kuala Lumpur Tel: 03-2166 3558
Pewter & Jewellery Kembang Jaya Malay Goldsmith Kota Bharu, Kelantan Tel: 09-744 9795 Royal Selangor International Sdn Bhd Kuala Lumpur Tel: 03 4022 1000 • Fax: 03 4022 3000 Tumasek Pewter Sdn Bhd Kuala Lumpur Tel: 03 6274 1225 • Fax: 03 6276 7145
Selangor Town Palace, Kuala Langat, Kuala Selangor Melawati Hill Historical Complex, Kuala Selangor Negeri Sembilan Pengkalan Kempas Historical Complex Old Palace of Seri Menanti Malacca Stadthuys Building Dol Said’s Grave Johor Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque, Johor Bahru Johor Lama Township, Kota Tinggi, Johor Penang Cornwallis Township Perak Pasir Salak Historical Complex Kenangan Palace, Kuala Kangsar Kedah Kota Kuala Kedah Historical Complex Pelamin Palace, Alor Star Cultural Hall, Alor Star Sabah Skeleton Hill Archaeological Site, Semporna Pahang Sultan Abu Bakar Museum, Pekan Kelantan Jahar Palace, Kota Bharu Terengganu Puteri Hill, Kuala Terengganu Sarawak Margherita Fort, Kuching
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General Information Language Bahasa Melayu (Malay) is the national language but English is widely spoken. The ethnic groups also speak various languages and dialects.
Religion Islam is the official religion but all other religions are practised freely.
Climate Tropical climate with warm weather all year round. Temperatures range from 21°C to 32°C. Annual rainfall varies from 2,000mm to 2,500mm.
Country The Federation of Malaysia comprises Peninsular Malaysia and the states of Sabah and Sarawak in Borneo.
Geographical Location Located between 2º and 7º north of the Equator. Peninsular Malaysia is separated from the states of Sabah and Sarawak by the South China Sea. To the north of Peninsular Malaysia is Thailand while its southern neighbour is Singapore. Sabah and Sarawak are bounded by Indonesia while Sarawak also shares a border with Brunei Darussalam.
Area 329,758 sq km
Population 25 million
Capital Kuala Lumpur
People Malays who make up about 57% of the population are the predominant group with Chinese, Indians and other ethnic groups such as the KadazanDusun and Iban in East Malaysia.
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Government Parliamentary democracy with a bicameral legislative system. The Head of State is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Head of Government is the Prime Minister.
Entry Requirements Visitors to Malaysia must be in possession of a valid passport or travel document with a minimum validity of six months beyond the intended visiting period. Most nationalities do not require visas for social or business visits. For further information, please check with the nearest Malaysian diplomatic mission or Tourism Malaysia office or browse www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my
Currency The unit of currency is the Malaysian Ringgit indicated as RM. Foreign currencies can be converted at banks and money changers.
Time Eight hours ahead of GMT and 16 hours ahead of US Pacific Standard Time.
Voltage Voltage is 220 – 240 volts A/C at 50 cycles per second. Standard 3-pin square plugs and sockets.