Malaysia Culture
Malaysia is a multinational country where Malays, Chinese and Indians live side by side. The largest part is the Malays. They are Muslim, speak Bahasa and are the most politically active part of the country. The Chinese make up about a third of the population. They are Buddhist or Taoist, speak Hockeyn, Hakka and Cantonese and play a crucial role in business. Hindus make up about 10% of the population. They are mostly Hindu Tamils from southern India, they speak Tamil, Malayalam, some Hindi and live mainly in the major cities on the western coast of the peninsula. There is also a large group of Sikhs. The rest of the population is made up of Europeans and Asians and the indigenous inhabitants of the islands. Even though Bahasa Malaysian is the official language, when people of different nationalities come together,
The largest tribe of indigenous people – Iban lives in the province of Sarawak and has 395,000 people. They usually live in longhouses along the Rejang and Baram rivers. The Bidayu (107,000) live on the banks of the Skrang River in Sarawak. The Orang Azli (80,000) live in small scattered groups on the Malaysian peninsula. Pagans traditionally engaged in agriculture, many of them have long been involved in the modern life of the country.
According to Cachedhealth.com, Malaysian music is very strongly influenced by Chinese and Islamic musical forms. The main musical instrument is the drum (gendang), but there are also many other percussion instruments (some made from shells), as well as flutes, trumpets and gongs. The country has developed the art of dance and dance theater, of Thai, Indian and Portuguese origin. Other art forms include wayang kulit (shadow theatre), silat (stylized martial arts), and folk crafts such as batik, weaving, and silver and copper crafting.
It’s not easy to find authentic Malay food in Malaysian restaurants, but you can enjoy Chinese cuisine, Nyonya cuisine (a local variation of Chinese and Malay cuisine – Chinese ingredients and local seasonings), as well as Indian, Indonesian or (sometimes) European cuisine. Satay (meat kebabs in spicy peanut sauce) is a Malaysian invention, but it is cooked all over the world. Other dishes are roasted soybean stew in peanut sauce, marinated fish with tamarind and curry, spiced meat curried over a fire, and spicy meat in a coconut marinade. Muslim and Indian dishes are traditional to Malaysian cuisine. A wide variety of wonderful tropical fruits and fruit juices are served on the table, such as strange sweet concoctions such as cendol.
Entertainment, clubs
Bars In the cozy bar you can have a good time with friends, order a cocktail, snacks and listen to light music. Most bars open in the afternoon or evening and close after midnight.
Night clubs
Nightclubs in Malaysia can be of two types: Chinese and European. In Chinese clubs, where mostly Chinese people come to drink, eat and chat with friends, it is always noisy and the atmosphere is very relaxed. In European nightclubs, everything is more ceremonious and official; people come here to dine in silence, listen to light music and dance.
variety show
Variety shows, usually open until late, offer gourmet cuisine and great variety performances with the participation of foreign artists. Wealthy people gather here who want to have a good time.
Theaters
Theatrical productions featuring Malaysian artists are becoming more and more popular. They are held in both English and other local languages. You can find out about new productions in the newspapers.
Cinemas
Cinemas with one or more halls with simultaneous screening of different films are available in almost all cities of the country. They show films in English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil, in keeping with Malaysia’s multiethnic population.
Folk performances
In most cities, travel agencies and hotels offer tourists an evening tour of the city, which usually ends with a purely Malaysian-style dinner and a folklore performance with the participation of a folk dance ensemble. For inquiries, please contact the hotel management or your travel agent.
Pasar Malam
This is the name of street night markets where everything is sold: local delicacies, fruits, vegetables, cassettes, fabrics, clothes, various little things and even bed linen and furniture. Brightly lit stalls with a variety of goods neatly laid out attract many customers. Here, in these noisy and lively markets, you can practice the art of haggling for the little thing you like.
Yachting
Malaysia – a little pearl of the East
Traveling on a yacht in Langkawi you will find the best monuments of history and culture of Malaysia, as well as the most beautiful nature. Idyllic landscapes, secluded bays and magnificent beaches – all this is an archipelago consisting of a good hundred islets – fry.
You have a fantastic opportunity to enjoy one of the most beautiful areas of the island group: the beaches and bays of Tarutao Island and Butang Island – ideal areas for snorkeling and diving.