Thaipusam

Thaipusam is one of the more fascinating festivals held annually in Malaysia. It is one of those festivals where participants can ‘lose’ themselves in the celebrations. Thaipusam is celebrated by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai. In fact, the word ‘Thaipusam’ is a combination of the word ‘Thai’ and ‘Pusam’, which refers to a star located at its highest point at this time. This festival is a celebration of good triumphing over evil as it is believed that the Hindu god Murugan obtained his lance or vel from his mother Parvati in order to defeat the evil demon Soorapadman.

Traditionally, it is believed that Lord Murugan’s preferred choice for a home is either in a hill or a mountain.To the devotees who are involved in the procession and the festival, preparations for it has already commenced days before Thaipusam. Most of the time the devotees present a kavadi to Lord Murugan as a way of keeping with their vow, in exchange for requests of help for a favourable turn in business or for better health. Generally, there are certain rules that need to be observed before he takes up the kavadi during the procession. The devotees will need to purify and cleanse themselves through prayer and fasting. Strict dietary requirements are to be observed – only pure Satvik food must be taken, once a day, while continuously keeping God in their thoughts. Abstinence from carnal pleasures is another aspect that requires observation from the devotees. Some believe that by denying themselves the pleasures of the world, like sleeping on the hard floor for a week or walking barefoot during the procession, when it is time to fulfill their penance it will please the gods even more.

The atmosphere is gay and lively as the procession starts. Some of the devotees are put into a state of trance before taking on the kavadis. Many of the devotees have small lances pierced through their cheeks or tongue. Amazingly, not a single drop of blood is spilt in the process, and the devotees seem to be oblivious to the pain. Others have hooks skewered onto their chests which are attached to the kavadis that they carry on their shoulders. Hooks skewered to the back are attached to a mini kavadi that will be pulled by the devotee all the way. When these hooks are removed, the skin heals with nary a scar to see! Onlookers often stare in awe at the piercings adorning their bodies and wonders if they feel any pain.

The devotees seem to dance in joy and ecstasy at every stop despite the distance and the heat, making those heavy kavadi frames that they are carrying seem like they weigh next to nothing. It is not surprising to see that there are more Chinese devotees joining in the procession and carrying kavadis like their Indian counterparts. Many of the Chinese temples along the way will also pay respects to Lord Murugan as the chariot passes by. Some also bring coconuts with them as part of fulfilling their vows to be broken all along the road as it is believed that it ‘cleanses’ the road. It is truly an amazing sight to behold and it is no wonder that more than half a million people choose to attend this festival every year despite the heat and the loud music.

Hari Raya AidilAdha

Apart from Aidilfitri, the festival most grandly celebrated by Muslims the world over is Aidiladha. In Malaysia, it is more commonly known as Hari Raya Korban or Hari Raya Haji and a public holiday is observed. Celebrated about two months after Aidilfitri, on the 10th day of Zulhijah, the 12th month of the Muslim calendar, it marks the end of the haj pilgrimage period (about two weeks); hence the name Hari Raya Haji (festival of the pilgrimage). 

Every year millions of Muslims make the journey to the Holy Land of Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform the haj, a requirement in Islam as it makes up one of the five tenets of the religion. As long as they have the means to do so, and are able health-wise, Muslims must perform the haj at least once in life. Upon completion of the haj, the men earn the title of "haji" and the women, "hajjah".

Aidiladha also commemorates the sacrifices made by the prophet Abraham (hence the word "korban" which means sacrifice), who demonstrated immense faith when he was put to the test by God.  

The prophet was commanded to offer his only son Ishmael up for sacrifice, and though it grieved him greatly, he made ready to perform the task. However, as he was about to strike his son, God stopped him and revealed that it was a trial. Ishmael's life was spared, and a ram sacrificed in his place.
 

As such, during Aidiladha, the sacrifice of animals such as lambs, goats, cows, bulls and camels is performed. The animals are slain in accordance with the proper religious rites; the meat is then distributed.  

Wesak Day

Wesak Day falls in the month of May and is considered to be the most important festival for Buddhists in Malaysia. This day is celebrated in order to observe the birth, enlightenment and death of Lord Buddha which according to the Buddhists all three of the events took place on the same lunar date. Different countries celebrate Wesak Day on different days due to the difference in the local lunar observance.

When translated, 'Buddha' literally means ‘one who is awake and has become enlightened’. This particular term is used to describe a person that has obtained supreme wisdom as well as the compassion of Enlightenment. The concept of Enlightenment for Buddhists can be described as a blessed state in which the individual attains Nirvana (transcendence of desire and suffering).

On this particular day the Malaysian Buddhist devotees will begin the celebrations usually even before dawn where they will gather at the temples. The Buddhists will then hoist the Buddhist flag and sing hymns in praise of the holy triple gem namely; The Buddha, The Dharma (his teachings) and The Sangha (his disciples). Simple offerings are also brought to the temple such as flowers while prayers using candles and joss-sticks are used.

Besides using them for prayers, these items are also significant in the Buddhist teaching as it teaches the devotees about the non-permanence of life. Like a flower that will wither in due time or candles that will eventually burn out so is that of life which is subjected to destruction and decay. Before the actual day of the celebration the devout Buddhists will eat a vegetarian diet so that they will be cleansed and purified.

Wesak Day is also where you will see many of the Malaysian Buddhist devotees releasing animals such as doves and tortoises. This act is seen as a symbolic gesture of one releasing the soul and giving up for the sins that they have made in the past. Besides that, this particular act is also seen as a way of giving freedom for those that are held against their will or being tortured.

Other significance of celebrating Wesak Day is to make special efforts to bring happiness to those that are less fortunate such as the elderly and the sick. In an effort to bring joy and happiness the Malaysian Buddhists will conduct various charitable activities such as donating money and take the time out to visit orphanages and old folks home and helping out wherever they can.

The statue of the baby Buddha is displayed by some temples and it is usually located in front of the altar. The statue is then placed in a basin filled with water and decorated with flowers where the devotees are allowed to pour water over the statue. The act of pouring water over the statue is seen as a symbolic act of the practitioners of cleansing their bad karma. The other significance of pouring water over the statue is to re-enact the event following Buddha’s birth, when the devas and spirits made heavenly offerings to him.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Hari Raya Aidilfitri is widely celebrated among the Muslims to commemorate their one month of fasting prior to the occasion. While celebrations can last up to a month, the most festive time is the period of Ramadhan itself, where Muslims are busy observing their period of abstinence by fasting and performing acts of charity.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri is the Malay term for Eid ul-Fitr. Hari Raya is also known as Lebaran. Muslims in Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore celebrate Eid like other Muslims throughout the world. The term “Hari Raya” literally means “Day of Celebration”. The main greeting used by Muslims in Malaysia and Singapore is “Selamat Hari Raya” which means “Happy Eid”. Another greeting is “maaf zahir dan batin” which translates loosely to “I seek forgiveness (from you) physically and spiritually”, for Hari Raya is a time to ask for forgiveness, reconcile and renew relationships with others.



Fasting

During the month of Ramadan leading up to Hari Raya, it is mandatory for Muslims to fast. All Muslims except the young, old or infirm must fast. They do not eat or drink anything from dawn until dusk. Fasting is meant to teach the person patience, sacrifice and humility. Ramadan is a time to fast for the sake of their God, Allah, and to offer more prayer than usual. During Ramadan, Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance and help in refraining from everyday evils, and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds.

Preparation

On the eve of Hari Raya, Muslims will recite the takbir, which is held in mosques and surau (smaller place of worship). In some communities, there will be congregations reciting the takbir from house to house. they wearing a special clocth in this celebrations known as "baju melayu" for mans and "baju kurung" for woman.

baju melayu

baju kurung

In big cities and towns, shopping malls and commercial centres will hold big promotions and sales for festive shoppers to purchase clothes and raya goodies. Decorations are hung in public areas and Hari Raya songs will be played in the radios and shopping complexes. The media, such as the television will host various programs in conjunction with the celebrations.

ketupat

 

Kueh-kueh or sweets like pineapple tarts, ondeh-ondeh and putu piring (local traditional desserts) are popular this season.. Some local delights like sticky glutinous rice with beef rendang (braised beef in spices), sayur lodeh (vegetable cooked in curry) and ketupat (Malay rice cakes) are some of the old world recipes.




Many people also traditionally return to their home town generally from big metropolitan cities to rural areas. This is known as balik kampung — literally going back to one’s home town to celebrate Hari Raya with family and friends.