English KSSR Year4 Unit 10,SJKC, Festivals in Malaysia

1. January
Thaipusam
Celebrated by the Tamil community, the manifestation of Thaipusam is best witnessed at Batu Caves in
Selangor, or in Penang. The jaw-dropping sight of devotees carrying ornately decorated frames, better
known as kavadis, would stay with you long after you've experienced it; this unique festival is a sight to
behold.
February
Chinese New Year
Celebrated worldwide by the Chinese to mark the first day of the New Year in the Chinese lunar calendar,
the celebrations last for 15 days. Expect fireworks, lion dances, the prominence of the colour red, and open
houses with scrumptious Chinese meals!
Chap Goh Mei, or the 15th night of Chinese New Year, symbolises the end of the festival. To celebrate the
Chinese version of Valentine's Day, young women inscribe messages or well-wishes on oranges and throw
them into lakes or ponds.

2. April
Good Friday
Held in churches to mark the "saddest day" in the Christian calendar, it is observed in remembrance of
Christs' Passion, crucifixation and death. On the Sunday that follows Good Friday, Easter Sunday is
celebrated to commemorate the resurrection of Christ.
Malaysia Water Festival
A country with natural settings of lakes, beaches, seas, Malaysia hosts this event annually with a variety of
water-based sports. Activities such as kayaking, fishing, and cross-channel swimming promises a whole
load of adrenaline-pumping time!
May
Wesak Day
Celebrated by Buddhists to pay homage to Buddha and to mark the three significant events in Buddha's life
(his birthday, enlightenment, and achievement of Nirvana) the festival begins with meditation and prayers.
Donations are made to the poor and needy.

3. Harvest Festival
Known to Sabahans as Pesta Ka'amatan, it is a thanksgiving festival to celebrate the rice harvest. The
festivities include traditional sports such as the buffalo race, the best tapai (rice wine) competition, and the
"Unduk Ngadau" or Ka'amatan Queen Competition.
June
Hari Gawai
The Gawai Dayak is celebrated in Sarawak to mark the end of the paddy harvesting season. It also marks
the beginning of the new planting season, and activities such as dancing, singing, and a considerable
amount of drinking tuak (rice wine) take place in the longhouses.
Dragon Boat Festival
Known also as the Chang Festival or Duanwu Festival, it commemorates a patriot and poet in China named
Qu Yuan. The best place to witness the celebrations is in Penang, where the annual Penang International
Dragon Boat Festival takes place on a grand scale.

4. July
Rainforest World Music Festival
Held in the grounds of the Sarawak Cultural Village, the annual three-day music festival is fast becoming
the largest musical event in Malaysia. It celebrates the diversity of world music, while at the same time
highlighting the use of traditional acoustic world instruments.
August
Independence Day
Commemorating the independence of the Federation of Malaya from the British in 1957, August 31 holds a
special place in the hearts of all Malaysians. The biggest celebration of the event takes place annually at
Merdeka Square, or more commonly known as Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur.
Hari Raya Aidilfitri
Also known as Hari Raya Puasa, it marks the culmination of Ramadhan, during which Muslims the world
over fast for a whole month. Traditional Malay food such as rendang, ketupat, and lemang is served. This is
also a time to forgive and forget past quarrels, where family members ask for forgiveness from friends and
family members.

5. Hungry Ghost Festival
Observed among the Chinese, the festival commemorates the opening of hell's gates for the spirits from
the lower realm to roam freely for a month. Things to note during the festival are the larger than life papier-
mache figures and performances of Chinese opera and Ko-Tai (energetic singing and dancing with
performers in glittering costumes).
September
Malaysia Day
September 16 commemorates the establishment of the Malaysian federation in 1963, with the joining of
Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak and Singapore to form Malaysia.

6. Mid-Autumn Festival
Fondly known as the Tanglung (Lantern) Festival or the Mooncake Festival, it is celebrated by the Chinese
to mark the end of the harvesting season. Mooncakes are a must as it also commemorates Chang Er, the
moon goddess.
Father and daughter inspecting the hanging Tanglungs (Lanterns).
October
Hari Raya Haji
To commemorate the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha, the occasion is marked most significantly by the
conclusion of the annual Haj (pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca). Sacrificial-slaughtering, or korban, takes
place in mosques, and the meat is distributed to the poor and needy.

7. November
Deepavali
Also commonly referred to as Diwali or Festival of Lights, the festival is significant to all Hindus as it
symbolises the triumph of good over evil. Oil lamps are lit to ward off darkness and evil, and like every
other major cultural festivals in Malaysia, open houses are held.
December
Christmas
A religious festival to mark the birth of Jesus Christ for Christians, Christmas in Malaysia is celebrated like
everywhere else in the world. However, Christmas is also viewed as a universal celebration by many, one
that that carries a secular rather than religious meaning. Even without the traditional "white Christmas", the
celebrations carry on with a kaleidoscope of lights, endless Christmas displays, and crazy shopping deals
for all!