Malaysia belongs to the number of multinational and multi-confessional states, therefore more than five dozen holidays are celebrated here. Some of them are registered only in separate states, others are approved at the state level. Regardless of the occasion, during the holidays, Malaysians actively travel around the country, rush into tourist areas, flood the beaches and hotels .
General information about the Malaysian holidays
Representatives of various religious denominations live on the territory of this state: Christians, Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus. In order not to offend them or other strata of the population, in Malaysia, a half dozen public holidays were approved. The most important of these is Hari-Merdeka (Independence Day), celebrated on August 31st. It was on this day in 1957 that the treaty on the independence of the Malay Federation was signed from colonial rule.
Other equally important state holidays in Malaysia include:
- Malaysia Day (16 September);
- Birthday of the King (June 3);
- Labor Day (1 May);
- Vesak (May 10);
- Christmas Day (December 25).
In addition to nationwide festive days, there are dates that some faiths consider solemn. But not all of them are a weekend, otherwise the local residents would have to rest every week. For example, in 2017, Muslims in Malaysia celebrate the following holidays:
- Hari-Raya Puas (Uraza-Bayram);
- Hari-Raya Haji (Kurban-Bayram);
- Mawlidur Rasul (Maulid an-Nabi).
Ethnic Chinese magnificently celebrate the Chinese New Year and traditional festivals, the Hindus - the holidays of Taipusam and Diwali, Christians - Easter and St. Anne's day, the ethnic groups of the east of the country - the harvest festival of Hawai-Dayak. Despite the fact that many holidays of Malaysia differ in religious and ethnicity, they are considered common and are celebrated by representatives of almost all religious confessions and ethnic groups.
Malaysia Independence Day
Hari-Merdek is the most important event for all residents of the country. For nearly three centuries, Malaysia has been a colonial state, and now this independent country is an influential member of the ASEAN organization. If 60 years ago, in 1957, an agreement on independence was not signed, it might not be one of the most developed countries in Asia.
On the holiday of Malaysia's independence throughout the country there are theatrical processions, concerts, street fairs and thematic shows. On the main square of Kuala Lumpur a special tribune is set up, from where the members of the government and the Prime Minister of the country greet citizens and guests of the parade. The holiday is closed with magnificent fireworks.
Malaysia Day
Two weeks after the celebration of Independence Day, Malaysia Day, or Hare Malaysia, is celebrated throughout the country. It is dedicated to the day when the federation included Singapore , Sarawak and North Borneo , which was later renamed Sabah.
During one of the most important public holidays, squares and houses throughout Malaysia are decorated with a huge number of flags. The main event of the celebration is an air show and a military parade in which state officials participate.
Birthday of the King of Malaysia
June 3 in this country is dedicated to the celebration of the birthday of the incumbent monarch. In 2017, this holiday of Malaysia is celebrated in honor of the 48th anniversary of King Mohammed V. Residents of the country are highly honored by the monarch, call him a defender, as well as a guarantor of their security and state stability.
A lot of events are held throughout the country during these holidays. The most important of them is the military parade in Kuala Lumpur , when the state banner is brought to music accompaniment of a military orchestra. And, although the holiday is celebrated in all the cities of Malaysia, most of the tourists rush to the capital, to the palace of Istan Negara . At this time, there is a colorful ceremony of changing the guard.
Vesak's Day
Once in four years, May in the country is celebrated with the celebration of the Buddhist festival of Wesak (Wesak). These days, at the foot of the sacred trees, oil lamps are lit, and Buddhist temples are decorated with red lanterns and garlands. Residents of the country make donations to temples, they release pigeons into the sky. By this ritual they give freedom to people who are imprisoned.
During the Vesak holiday, thousands of Buddhist pilgrims from Malaysia go to local churches in order to:
- to perform a rite of sacrifice;
- read aloud the sacred texts;
- light incense and scented candles;
- to conduct a ritual "bathing the Buddha."
Buddhist clergymen recommend meditation, as it is on this day you can find a blissful state of universal kindness. To cleanse the body, they are advised to eat only plant food. Vesak is celebrated only in a leap year.
Deepaway in Malaysia
Every year at the end of October or early November throughout the country, Hindus celebrate the feast of Dipavali, which is considered the main Hindu celebration. Within a month, residents decorate the streets with bright illumination and light small oil lamps - Wicca - in their homes. Hindus believe that through this ritual, one can conquer evil and darkness just as a good Krishna has defeated the cruel Narakusuru.
During this holiday, the Indians of Malaysia put order in their homes and put on new clothes. People, decorated with flower garlands, go out into the street to sing Indian songs and perform national dances.
Birthday of the Prophet in Malaysia
One of the main events for the Muslims of this country is the celebration of Mawlid al-Nabi - the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, which is held every year on different days. For example, in 2017 this holiday in Malaysia falls on November 30. Before this comes the month of Rabi al-Awal, which is dedicated to Mawlid al-Nabi. These days the Malaysian Muslims are recommended:
- invite guests home;
- To give presents to each other;
- participate in charitable and cultural events;
- help the needy.
Due to the fact that the country has the possibility of free religion, during the celebration of the birthday of the Prophet, interesting cultural and educational programs are allowed.
Chinese New Year in Malaysia
The Chinese are the second largest ethnic group in the country. They constitute 22.6% of the total population of Malaysia, therefore, in order to show respect to their fellow citizens, the government has made the Chinese New Year a national holiday. Depending on the year, it is celebrated on different days.
During this holiday throughout Malaysia there are festive processions with fireworks, theatrical performances and folk festivities. In spite of ethnicity, representatives of different nationalities and religious confessions participate in it.
Christmas in Malaysia
Despite the fact that Christians make up only 9.2% of the total population of the country, the government also respects their opinion and religious traditions. That is why on December 25 in Malaysia, as in other countries around the world, celebrates the Nativity of Christ. He was given a national status, so this day is considered a day off. During Christmas celebrations in the center of the capital, the main Christmas tree is set, decorated with colorful toys and garlands. Local people are pleased with each other gifts, and children are waiting for gifts from Santa Claus. From all other countries the Christmas holiday in Malaysia differs only in the absence of snow.
Public holidays in the country
Malaysia is characterized by a colorful ethnic and confessional composition, so the nationwide weekend is not established. For example, in states with the maximum number of Muslim days off, Thursday and Friday are considered. In the regions where mostly Christians, Hindus and Buddhists live, weekends fall on Saturdays and Sundays. The presence of two days off per week is a clear confirmation of the tolerance of the Malaysians towards fellow citizens of another nationality and faith.