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Rationale

I am one of the members in the “Kaleidoscope Museum Project”, an online project that preserves different world cultures that may disappear or be endangered by introducing and informing these unique cultures around the community, which could prompt conservation awareness and understanding of the world's culture. My intention is to focus on the preservation of minority and unique Malay culture through quick descriptions of each. and links to finding out more details for each. The preservation of the culture in Malay culture is needed to ameliorate the harmful effects of globalization, brought about by urbanization, economic changes, and modernization. Our Kaleidoscope Museum Project could help to increase the amount of tourism, and cultural diversity, by showing uniqueness and informing people to understand Malay culture, and take affirmative action to protect against globalization.

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Small stones traditional game-Baku Seremban

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Small stones traditional game-Baku Seremban

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Sepak Takraw-Bamboo ball sport competition

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Sepak Takraw-Bamboo ball sport competition

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Less than 35 speakers' language-Orang Kanaq

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Less than 35 speakers' language-Orang Kanaq

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Less than 200 speakers' language-Chewong

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Less than 200 speakers' language-Chewong

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Baju Kurung is a traditional clothes for women in Malaysia, where the word "Kurung" are called long skirt or dress. The dress will have a round neckline, and the skirt is usually an ankle-length and has a flared design. The colors and designs will be different in different special occasions like weddings or different festivals. This dress is very comfortable for Malaysian to wear it everyday. This clothing is very important for Malaysian due to cultural heritage, where this clothing is representing the country's unique culture, this clothing is approved by the government where it's a way for them to preserve the cultural heritage and have a sense of pride for the Malaysian, because it's their own unique clothings.

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Mimpikita's designers crafted a wholesome collection of baju kurung every year for the last decade and it has been the most anticipated and quickly becomes the crowd's favorite. Think comfortable fabrics, exclusive prints and stylish designs that make the most stand-out baju kurung piece for you!

Introducing our Modern & Traditional Baju Kurung Stylish Collection

Our baju kurung collection is not only stylish but also versatile. You can wear it to any event, from professional settings to festive occasions. Our collection features traditional and modern baju kurung styles, including baju kurung tradisional, baju kurung moden, baju kurung kedah, baju kurung batik, and baju kurung lace. Each piece is beautifully designed and made with comfortable fabrics, exclusive prints, and stylish details that will make you stand out from the crowd.

Find Your Perfect Baju Raya at Mimpikita

If you're looking for the perfect baju raya, then Mimpikita has got you covered! We specialize in prints, lace, whimsical floral designs, and vibrant colors that will make you shine during the festive season. Pair your baju kurung with statement necklaces, matchy heels, and glam makeup to flaunt your style in its full glory.

Baju Kurung Moden for Every Occasion

Our baju kurung moden is a popular choice among Malaysian Muslim women. It's the latest version of baju kurung that's made to fit any occasion. The cut is modified according to the body shape, while the baju kurung tradisional remains to have a straighter cut to the bottom. You can easily find a vast range of baju kurung terkini designs made by our local designers every year at our baju kurung online boutique. They are perfect for events that are synonymous with the Malay culture, such as weddings, Hari Raya, and other celebrations.

Styling Your Baju Kurung for Formal Occasions

Baju kurung is not just a traditional wear, but also a versatile choice for formal occasions. It exudes elegance, culture, and professionalism that make a lasting impression. At Mimpikita, we have a range of plain and striped designs that will give you a neat and tidy image. Avoid wearing animal prints or loud floral patterns as they may appear messy and lead to a poor impression. Stick to soft colors and non-shiny materials to appear proper and subdued.

Shop for Baju Kurung Online at Mimpikita

At Mimpikita, we make shopping for baju kurung easy and convenient. You can browse our collection online and have your order delivered right to your doorstep. We also offer a variety of payment options to suit your needs. So what are you waiting for? Shop for your perfect baju kurung now at Mimpikita's online boutique!

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Check out our latest Baju Kurung Modern collection at Mimpikita. Start shopping today. Earn dreams when you shop by joining #TheKitaRewards.

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The work "Baju" is also known as a long-sleeved shirt, and the word "melahu" is known as the trousers. This cloth is designed for men, where it have long loose that reaching the hips, and have a folded collar, the length is below the knee to ankle. People wear it during a formal occasions such as celebrations or weddings. It's similar to Baju Kurung, but that's for women. This clothing's design shows the sense of respect and elegance, because the long skirt is covering the body, which is Malay's culture that represents respect.

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Shop our latest collection of Baju Melayu from Malaysia's top brands. Available in slim fit and regular fit with over 200 vibrant colors to choose from.

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Celebrate conquering good over evil-Thaipusam

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Celebrate conquering good over evil-Thaipusam

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Celebrate Rice Harvest-Kaamatan Harvest Festival

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Celebrate Rice Harvest-Kaamatan Harvest Festival

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PPT galleries introducing the clothes in Malaysia

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PPT galleries introducing the clothes in Malaysia

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This is a game where people will use balls that are made of bamboo, and the rule is if the ball is passed, you can touch it with any parts of your body from hands and your lower arms. It’s very similar to volleyball but it’s played without using your hands. This sport is a national sport that represents Malaysia's sporting heritage and cultural identity. Malaysian could have some sense of unity and pride. Sepak Takraw contains teamwork, agility, and fitness, it's very good for people to cooperate which each others, and good for everyone to improve they health.

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Sepak Takraw is a volleyball-like game that originated in Southeast Asia. With a literal translation of 'Kick Ball', 3 players compete against their opposition on a volleyball style court with a net across the middle.

Unlike volleyball, in Sepak Takraw, players are not allowed to use their hands to play the ball and are required to use their feet, head, knees and chest to touch the ball. Popular across Southeast Asia, it is particularly popular in Malaysia where it is locally known as 'Sepak Raga' and Thailand where it is called 'Takraw'.

The game's history stretches back to the 15th century with slightly differing versions of the game being played in different parts of Southeast Asia. It was in the 1940s, however, that the first set of formalised rules were introduced and the game took the official name of Sepak Takraw with, ISTAF, the International Sepak Takraw Federation governing the sport worldwide where it is growing in popularity year-on-year. Outside of Southeast Asia, the game is particularly popular in the USA and Canada and other western countries where there are significant southeast Asian communities.

Object of the Game

The object of the game is for one team to score more points than their opposition by causing their opponents to commit a fault, resulting in a score being awarded. However, in a slightly different version of the game called 'Chin Lone' played in Myanmar (Burma), teams actually play together, the game being considered more of an art in which the aim is not to beat any opposition, but to keep the ball aloft in increasingly interesting and graceful ways.

Players & Equipment

Each of the two teams in Sepak Takraw consists of three players, each playing a specific position. These are the 'Teukgong' which is the player who stands furthest back on the court and an Inside Left Inside and a Right Inside who play closer to the net on each side of the court.

The ball used in games are made of a number of synthetic materials and all balls must be approved by ISTAF if being used in competition. Balls are 'woven', and must consist of 12 holes and 20 intersections and be with the regulation size and weight

Games are to be played on a court that is similar to a double sized badminton court with dimensions of 13.4 x 6.1 metres with a net stretched across the centre at a height of 1.5m for men and 1.42m for women.

Scoring

Scoring in Sepak Takraw is relatively simple with a side receiving a point every time their opponents fault. Faults (which result in a point for the opposition) include:

The Tekong jumping off the ground to make the service

The Tekong not licking the ball when making service

An Inside player touches the net whilst throwing the ball

The ball fails to cross to the opposition's half

The ball goes over the net but lands outside of the court boundaries

Playing the ball more than 3 times in a row

Touching the ball on the opposing side

The ball touches the arm

Holding or grabbing the ball

The ball touching the ceiling or any other object

Winning the Game

A game of Sepak Takraw is won by the first side to win two sets. Each set is is won by the team that is first to reach 21 points. If a set is tied 21-21, then a tie breaker shall be played in which the first team to open up a two point lead or reaches 25 points is declared the winner. Because of the fast and athletic nature of the game, it takes a good degree of physical fitness, flexibility as well as teamwork for a team to be successful in winning a match.

Rules of Sepak Takraw

Games of Sepak Takraw shall be played by two teams of three players.

Games should be played on a court that fits the regulation size and markings as set out by ITSAF, with an official Sepak Takraw ball.

The team to serve first is decided by a coin toss before the match commences.

Play begins when the server is thrown the ball by a teammate and must then kick the ball over the net whilst keeping one foot in the service circle.

Players may only touch the ball with their feet, head, knees and chest. Touching the ball with the hand or any other part of the body can result in a fault and a point for the opposition.

Each team is allowed a maximum of three touches of the ball to return it back over the net without letting it touch the ground.

Failure to return the ball over the net before it hits the ground results in a point to the opposition.

Points are always scored in Sepak Takraw by the opposition faulting, and they can do this in a number of ways (see above).

The first team to reach 21 points wins a set. The first team to win two sets is declared the winner.

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Sepak Takraw is a volleyball-like game that originated in Southeast Asia. With a literal translation of 'Kick Ball', 3 players compete against their opposition on a volleyball style court with a net across the middle.

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this is a sport where people uses spinning object that are made of wood, and the Malaysians would use this tool, and competing with each other. This sport is important for Malaysian because it's the traditional game that contains skills and craftsmanship, where everyone in every ages could play whenever they like, and it's a really important concept for people to cooperate with each others. Gasing also symbolized the unity and balance when the spinning motion symbolized the equilibrium, which is Malaysia's cultural perspectives.

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This is a sport competition where people will make their own kites, and put it high up the sky, they will use the rope to control where the kites are going, and they will try to use the kite to hit the competition person's kite. People will keep fighting until one kite fall on the ground. This sport is important for Malaysia due to the traditional skills and the art of kite-making. The techniques that uses for this sport are passes down through different communities and years. Which is very special and precious, because it could show the style and perspectives they have.

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Kite fighting is popular in Asian countries including Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Thailand, Korea and Afghanistan. For kite fighting, fighter kites are used that are specifically designed for this thrilling game.

Fighter kites are made with a light weight and thin paper. The spars are made with a flexible and lightweight wood usually from bamboo plant.

In modern American fighting, synthetic materials are used for making kites such as nylon and polyester sheeting.

When the kite is flown, the air pressure acts making the kite deformed which gives it stability. As the line tension is reduced, the kite becomes unstable. Letting out more line is responsible for reducing line tension. Instability makes the kite spin. When the tension is reapplied, the kite starts flying in the flyer's required direction.

The main aim of kite fighting is to cut opponent's line. It can be played between one to many opponents. The one who is able to have his kite in the air when all else are not due to their lines being cut wins. Sometimes, kite fighting follows an objective of capturing the kite of opponent.

It is played between teams or is also played as an individual game. The game is quite dangerous as it results in many accidents due to the sharpness of the line which can even cut the neck of someone by accident if they come in contact.

Similar Sports

Sport Kite - using a stunt kite to fly the kite in several patterns in time to background music.

Kite landboarding - using a kite and wind power to manoeuver a huge skateboard-type board over land.

Kitesurfing - a board and kite are used on the water for different events.

Related Pages

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What is Kite Fighting? The main aim of kite fighting is to cut opponents line

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Almost everyone has been playing with a toy called top, or spinning top, in his or her youth. I still vividly remember my clumsy efforts to attach the rope around its axis to pull it quickly, since it is the rapid unwinding of the string that sets the top in motion. But that's long time ago and you don't see it played often nowadays in the western hemisphere.

However, traveling through South East Asia, you will be surprised to see top-spinning vividly alive, not only as a children's play, but also, and in particular as a sport.

For instance, in Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam, it is a traditional game named "Gasing", widely played by the Malay people. You could also encounter it in the Philippines and Viet Nam, under the names "Trumpo" and "Quay", respectively.

The name Gasing is given to both, the topspin and the sport itself. The game is started by first drawing a circle on the floor to define the area within which the top must be thrown in and kept spinning. The player whose spinning top out-spins the others within the circle wins the game. It can be played individually or in teams of four.

htpp://www.imgarcade.com; Source; http://letterhash.blogspot.com
Originally, it was introduced by traders from the Middle East around 450AD. The name in Malay language means spinning of tops; the name is derived from the words "Ka" from "Kayu" (Wood) and "Sing" from "Pusing" (Spin). Eventually, "Ka-Sing" became "Gasing".

Gasing production and product; http://malaysiangames.blogspot.com/p/gasing-and-tarik-upih.html

Traditionally, it is made of different types of wood or hard fruit, iron and lead. Nowadays however, they are often built of plastic and by modern manufacturing processes that allows tops to be set in motion by a simple rotation of the fingers and wrist without need for string or rope.

Both adults and children play the game. The ones played by kids are much smaller and weigh from 0.1 to 0.5kg, while bigger or giant Gasings weigh approximately 4 to 5kg; those wooden tops are as big as the size of a dinner plate. Playing them require great skill, strength and speed. First comes wrapping the rope around the finger or hand properly. The end of the rope should be tied around the wrist or the pink finger, to ensure the rope doesn't unravel. Next turns up how to wrap the rope around the top. Since it has a smooth surface, some players roughen the top side to get more grip. The rope has to be winded neatly and tightly for more precision, power and spin.

To have the device gone spinning for a long time, it must be launched firmly, yet carefully. This ensures the top to keep spinning without wobbling or tipping over early. Last, but not least, comes how to scoop up the spinning top. The player has to know in what direction the it spins, in what direction it is going and the timing of when it is supposed to be scooped.

http://ragamkebudayaanindonesia.wordpress.com and http://bb2008-haigalistic.blogspot.com

The sport is a popular traditional game among the villages in Malaysia especially in Kelantan and Malacca after the rice-harvest, when several villagers challenge each other to the test of skill. In competition, two categories are distinguished: "Last man standing" and "Knockout". In Last man standing or "Gasing Uri", the last person to spin the longest wins. In the Knockout or "Gasing Pangkah", one must knock the top against their opponents to disrupt their movements. Both sides will then scoop up their tops and see who will outlast the other.

Nowadays, the game might not be as common as it used to be in Malaysia and other countries in Asia in general, and in ASEAN in particular. Notwithstanding, it is still pretty much alive. In 2011, during the Borneo Games, it was recognized as an official sporting event. It may not be played as much, but it surely remains popular and played on professional arenas too.
Gasing for everyone: from children's game to professional sport, from cradle to crypt

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Gasing, From Children's Game To Professional Sport | Southeast Asia Travel

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Almost everyone has been playing with a toy called top, or spinning top,...

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Kite Fighting: The Moment You Make a Mistake, You’ll Lose!

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How To Play Gasing "Spinning Top" at 2015 Rainforst World Music Festival

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videos about the real competition between Philippines and Malaysia

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videos about the real competition between Philippines and Malaysia

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Sepak Takraw - Philippines Vs Malaysia ! Full Game ! HD

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This is a traditional food in Malaysia that includes coconut rice, sambal (a spicy chili paste that is made of garlic, chilis, and peppers), peanuts, fried eggs, cucumbers. This is a traditional dish in Malaysia that symbolized Malaysia's heritages and foods/materials. This food gained an international recognition, where people know this food comes from Malaysia, and the tourist are interested in it. This could promotes tourism and present Malaysia's cultural identity.

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This is a traditional food that includes batter, fillings (a Malaysia food that is filled with a combination of peanuts and sugar). People will poured the batter onto the griddle, and all the fillings on top of the pancake, and you're done. "Apam Balik" means flipped pancake in English. This is been a part of Malaysian culture for generations, where it still used the traditional recipes through these centuries. This is important for Malaysia because they could show their uniqueness by the materials they used for this food.

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This is a traditional drink that translates into "pulled tea" in English that are made of black tea, milk, and some sugar. This is important for the culture because this traditional drink contains some performance, where people will "pull" the tea to let the tea mixing with the air that would gives some special texture and taste. This could gathered lots of tourist to watch the performance and also enjoy Malaysia's cultural drink.

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Delicious Malaysian coconut rice, served with anchovy hot chile sauce, fried anchovies, fried peanuts, sliced cucumber or tomato, and hard-boiled egg.

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Apam Balik. A delicious Malaysian street food pancake filled with sweet creamed corn, peanuts, sugar and butter. Easy to make at home and indulgent! This is my dairy-free version of this cultural dessert but I also share how to make it with dairy.

What is Apam Balik?

Apam Balik is a delicious South-East Asian sweet pancake filled with creamed corn, crunchy peanuts, and sugar! This dessert pancake has a sweet and slightly savoury taste thanks to the creamed corn. The sugar, butter and peanuts give it that extra sweetness and crunch to balance out the soft chewy pancake. This dessert is found in Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Brunei. Apparently, this sweet pancake originates from China. This popular street food is sold at select food stands.

Every time, my husband and I visit Malaysia we always get this. He likes his apam balik crispy but today we are making the more chewy thicker version. Both are just as delicious! This recipe brings back childhood memories for him as he lived there when he was young. It reminds him of his sweet God mother who used to treat him to one of these every single time he returned.

Ingredients

Dairy-free butter: if you're not dairy-free sub with regular butter

Batter

Filling

How to make Apam Balik

Create Batter

1. In a large mixing bowl, sift and whisk all-purpose flour, self rising flour, baking soda, and salt.

2. Then in a small bowl, mix together warm oat milk, dry yeast, vanilla extract and sugar. Allow yeast to melt completely.

3. Pour the yeast milk into the dry ingredients and mix.

4. Crack an egg into the batter and whisk again. Do not overmix.

Cover & Rest Batter

Cover the batter and allow it to rest for 30 minutes up to 1 hour if you have extra time.

Grease Pan

In a 10-inch pan set over medium-low heat, lightly grease it with butter or oil using a paper towel.

Pour in Batter

Ladle your batter into the pan and smooth it out into a circle.

Swirl the Batter

Then swirl the batter against the wall of the pan to create a "crust".

Cook until Bubbles Form

Cover the pan with a lid. Let this cook until bubbles form all over the pancake, about 2-3 minutes.

Adding Filling

Once the bubbles have formed, sprinkle a generous amount of sugar, creamed corn, peanuts and as much better as desired.

Cover & Cook

Cover the pan back with a lid for 2 minutes.

Fold

Then in the pan, fold one side over to create a semi-circle pancake.

Slice & Serve!

Slide onto a cutting board and slice in half with a sharp knife. Repeat this process for the remaining pancakes. Enjoy!

Other recipes you may like!

📖 Recipe

Apam Balik

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Apam Balik. A delicious Malaysian streetfood pancake filled with sweet creamed corn, peanuts, sugar and butter. Easy to make at home.

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This Southeast Asian sweet drink, locally known as teh tarik or "pulled tea", is a blast to make. Test your pouring skills to the max for the perfect froth on top of this amazing bitter sweet teh tarik recipe.

Why We Love This Recipe

Teh Tarik is pure bittersweet tea deliciousness whether you s erve it hot or over ice. Hint: Iced teh tarik in summer is the best!

Either way, it's the perfect sidekick to spicy Asian dishes like Vietnamese Ca Ri Ga or Thai panang curry.

This morning we decided it was high time we recreated this recipe because:

We love hot frothy teh tarik during our Southeast Asian adventures and we love the buzz

Because we absolutely needed to have one again right now!

Related: Teh C Peng Special / Matcha Latte / Kopi Tarik

What You'll Need

Just three ingredients for this delectable drink - tea, condensed milk and water.

What is Teh Tarik?

Teh Tarik (aka "pulled tea" in Malay) is a strong, hot tea mixed with sweet and creamy condensed milk that's repeatedly poured ('pulled') between two cups or mugs until it transforms into rich, frothy tea heaven.

This process of 'pulling' Malaysian tea between two containers is the key to creating that lusciously thick and silky smooth texture.

It's similar in flavour to Malaysian 3 Layer Tea (Teh 3 Peng), except where Teh Tarik uses condensed milk, 3 Layer Tea is sweetened with gula melaka (palm sugar syrup).

How to Make Teh Tarik at Home

Place teabags or loose tea in a strainer in a mug and pour over boiling water. Steep for a few minutes until tea is dark and intense, then allow to cool for a few more minutes. Strain through a cloth if necessary.

Add 2 tbsp condensed milk and stir until spoon is clean.

To Pull the Tea:
(Caution: Please be careful with hot tea to avoid a nasty burn!)

Pour the tea into a stainless steel jug, then pour into a mug or tea glass. Try to gain as much height as possible while pouring. Repeat until tea is frothy.

Serve hot or over plenty of ice for a chilled summer drink.

Wandercook's Tips

Carefully increase the height as you pour the tea between the two jugs. This will help your aim get better as you go, but also help the tea become more and more frothy.

For a delicious winter drink, serve hot! For a refreshing summer alternative, serve over ice.

FAQs

Does teh tarik have caffeine?

When made with regular black tea, teh tarik does contain caffeine. Black tea is naturally lower in caffeine than coffee.

What is the difference between teh tarik vs milk tea?

Teh tarik is usually less sweet than other styles of milk tea as it is made with condensed milk only. Some styles of milk tea are made with condensed milk AND sugar - definitely a treat for the sweet-tooths out there!

Variations

Instead of using the traditional pulling method, you can get a similar frothy effect with a handheld milk frother or the steam wand on a coffee machine (which helps if you're worried about messy kitchens or burnt hands). You can also use a tea infuser if you have one.

Authentic teh tarik uses tea dust or loose leaf tea strained in a cotton tea strainer, however our homemade version uses tea bags for a quick, convenient alternative.

Milk Tea Milo - Add Milo powder to your coffee before pulling, or serve with undissolved milo powder on top, just like a Milo dinosaur!

But seriously, however you go about achieving it, you NEED the frothiness guys. It's what makes this drink so awesome.

Just promise us you won't go pouring hot tea all over yourselves.

And now it's your turn! Go make your very own Teh Tarik and enjoy that frothy goodness. We want to see your photos, so snap away and tag us in @wandercooks. And most importantly, have fun!

Can you beat my awesome pouring pattern? 😉

Got a craving for more sweet Asian drinks? Give these a try next:
★ Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment and star rating below!
Wandercooks is an Australian recipe site reaching over 9 million views annually. Our recipes are here to inspire you with fresh and exciting food ideas from a range of Asian, European and Australian cuisines. As seen on Google.com, Today.com, Buzzfeed, Jetstar Asia and Lonely Planet. Read more...

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This South East Asian sweet drink, locally known as Teh Tarik or Pulled Tea, is a blast to make in the kitchen.

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PPT galleries about cultural food/drinks in Malaysia

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PPT galleries about cultural food/drinks in Malaysia

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During Malaysian weddings, people will toss rice to the couple to wish them a happy marriage and start their new life together. Malaysian thinks that the action of tossing rice symbolizes good luck, fertility, prosperity for the couple. They have the perspective that tossing rice is to ward off evil spirits, and bring positive energy to the couples.

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Dhobi is a traditional job in Malaysia where people would wash clothes and linens with hand scrubbing and clothes against rocks to remove the dirt. Dhobi is not just a laundry job, it represents the practices and skills through generations and generations. The skills of cleaning different dirt and folding the clothes are not common anymore in other countiries. This could show Malaysia's cultural traditions, but this job wouldn't last forever due to technologies are getting better and better these years.

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Bajan Horse Riding is a traditions that Malaysian would do. People will sit on the horse and ride to the places they want.

It reflected the connection between the horse with the person, horses are special significance in Malaysian's lives, and the skills of riding have been passed down through generations and centuries.

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Congratulations to Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin for winning Gold medal in SEA Games 2017 equestrian endurance competition!

More than 20 riders earlier took part in the SEA Games endurance race that began in 3 AM of Sunday morning at the Terengganu International Endurance Park ( TIEP) in Setiu.

Sultan Mizan is the first Sultan to have participated in SEA Games history.

Tuanku led the Malaysian team which comprised five other riders.

It was also the first time Sultan Mizan had won gold in 80 KM equestrian endurance at the SEA Games. Malaysia had previously bagged two gold at the 2013 Myanmar Games.

The riders had to go through an 80 KM track and the horses would have to undergo checks at designated locations to ensure their fitness.

The official result as follow:

Our Sultan ranks 4th in the world. His majesty has vast experience having competed in numerous international equestrian endurance events in the Middle East and Europe.

Our champion rider, credited team effort for Malaysia's success in the following video:

https://www.facebook.com/bernamaofficial/videos/10155736362400555/

Sultan Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin created new record for SEA Games by completing the endurance in 3 hour 48 minute 38 second, with average speed of 21 km/h. Video by: ARJASNEH AHMAD - BERNAMA

In Sultan Mizan's words

We worked in cohesion, moved together and our strategy worked. Although it was a long race, it did not seem boring or lethargic as we galloped energetically. I would like to congratulate all and sundry, from the trainers, horse handlers, veterinarians, officials to the state government, for helping us achieve our target and working tirelessly for a successful race which went without any untoward incident.
~ Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, 20 August 2017

According to NST, the ruler also hoped Malaysia's success would boost its chances to host the Asian Endurance Cup and the World Junior Endurance Championship next year.

https://www.facebook.com/equestrian.eam/videos/2059155477641261/

On behalf of Malaysians and all horse riders in Malaysia, we sincerely appreciate your contribution to the equestrian field in Malaysia. You have inspired us so much and we look up to you to be a better riders. Thank you for making us proud, Sultan Mizan & team Malaysia!

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Congratulations to Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin for winning Gold medal in SEA Games 2017 equestrian endurance competition! More than 20 riders earlier took part in the SEA Games endurance race that began in 3 AM of Sunday morning at the Terengganu International Endurance Park ( TIEP) in Setiu.

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GEORGE TOWN, Sept 15 - Traditional Indian dhobi, once described as a lucrative profession, has certainly been washed up by modern day washing machine.

Not many know that there is a Dhobi Ghat in Penang, an open-air laundry which is similar to an open air laundromat in Mumbai, India, but the days of these dhobi men and their trade seem to be numbered.

A walk in the settlement will find long lines of linen, including colourful sarees, salwars or churidars - bright red, yellow, green and blue - left to dry under the sun.

This settlement, located between Jalan Air Hitam and York Road and set up in the late 1910s, is occupied by traditional Indian laundry cleaning service providers who have been operating there generations after generations.

The trade here has hardly changed since it started more than 100 years ago, with the laundry still being hand washed and pressed using charcoal iron.

The settlement is obscured by the rapid development in the surrounding area, with many of the dhobi men operating within old wooden structures next to a river.

One of the dhobi men, A.Raman, 53, said in the past, there used to be about 80 traditional Indian dhobi men in the settlement, but now only about 15 were still operating as many had left to look for better opportunities.

"I learn the trade from my parents and I start daily work at 8am and continue until 10pm with the help of my two workers, who will dry and iron the clothes," said Raman, whose family has been in the business for the last 80 years.

Raman, the third generation dhobi men, lamented that the young generation is no longer keen in the business as they prefer jobs with higher pay, and it is a tough life being a dhobi man since there are limited number of helpers, besides competition from launderettes and washing machines.

For dhobi man K. Vanan, 62, the traditional method of washing clothes by hand is more hygienic compared to using washing machine since the clothes are first soaked with detergent, before they are scrubbed and rinsed by hand, and then dried under the sun and pressed.

Vanan, who still uses the traditional method of ironing, said he prefers to use the charcoal iron because electric iron is not heavy and does not give the right temperature for ironing the clothes.

"Many of my clients prefer traditional iron because the ironing will last longer," he added.

He said the day started with his workers going on their bicycle to collect the dirty clothes from customers, including households and restaurants, and then to separate the clothes according to colour for washing.

"Many of our customers are barber shop owners, restaurant owners and jewellery shop owners who asked us to provide laundry service for their workers, as well as for their family members," he added.

He said the cleaned and ironed clothes would be returned to the customers after two days.

Another dhobi man, A Letchumanan, 53, said although traditional method of hand wash is time consuming and labourious, it works in killing germs and bacteria.

He said traditional washing required all clothes to be submerged in hot water about 10 minutes to kill the bacteria and germs before they are washed and scrubbed.

"In the old days we used to wash the laundry in the nearby Air Terjun river but now the river has been polluted and we have to use tap water," he added.

Letchumanan said he realised that business was disappearing since the existing dhobi men are all in their late 50s and the young people not keen to take over.

Nevertheless, Lebuh Ghaut will always be remembered by the locals as Vannan Thora Tedal in Tamil, which literally means a laundry district. - Bernama

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In Penang, traditional dhobi washed out by modern day washing machine

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GEORGE TOWN, Sept 15 - Traditional Indian dhobi, once described as a lucrative profession, has certainly been washed up by modern day washing machine. Not many know that...

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Century-old traditional dhobi shop in Ipoh faces demise with no one to take over the business

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IPOH, Aug 10 — For nearly a century, septuagenarian K. Elangovathi’s family has been operating a traditional dhobi (laundromat) in Silibin. The business started out in India…

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Why do we throw a hail of tiny white rice grains at the newly married couple as they make their way from the ceremony? The answer is three-fold. Rice or grains symbolize fertility and are a symbol of prosperity. The wish was for the couple to have a family, and if your fields had a lot of grain growing in them, you were prosperous.

What Is the Rice Toss?

Here, we delve into the ancient tradition with help from an expert.

The History and Meaning of the Rice Toss

The history and the tradition of showering newlyweds at a wedding with rice, seed, and grains predate Christianity. The Celts, mighty warriors, were also an agronomist culture who tossed rice, millet, and other grains to appease spirits and ask for blessing and fertility for the couple. Ancient Romans used wheat. Italians toss candies or sugared nuts. The Polish use rice but also place coins at the couple's feet to ensure prosperity. In Morocco, it's dried dates or figs and Eastern India's tradition is a rain of flower petals.

"It's a tradition for family and friends to shower the newlyweds with good wishes as they walk into a new life together," adds Nora. No matter the culture, the significance of the throw is similar. It's a demonstrative ritual performed by the guests and family to wish the couple good fortune, a prosperous marriage, and children if they desire.

Meet the Expert

Rice Toss FAQs

When does the rice toss take place?

There are two times in the wedding day that a throw or toss might happen: recessing from the ceremony down the aisle by the couple or the grand exit as they leave the reception. At modern weddings, the rice throw is usually immediately following the ceremony and not generally used for the grand exit after the reception.

Where does it take place?

If the ceremony is in a church or chapel, guests line up outside for the toss. As soon as the newlyweds exit the church the rice is showered over them. If it's an outdoor wedding, the toss is done while they exit down the aisle.

Who cleans up after the rice toss?

Someone (likely a vendor you have hired) needs to be in charge of cleaning up. You don't want a guest to slip on the rice, and also keeps you in good graces with the venue. Ask the venue if they offer clean up.

Does raw rice kill birds?

In 1985 a bill was introduced by a state legislator in Connecticut to ban the throwing of rice at weddings. And although Audubon officials in Connecticut said that they had never read anything to support the notion that rice was a danger to birds, the bill, unfounded by science, set off a widespread negative impact across the nation against throwing rice. The belief persists today even though subsequent testing on birds proved that eating raw rice does not kill them.

How to Do the Rice Toss

Before the ceremony, small packets of rice may be handed out by a greeter at the entrance to the ceremony space. Or an individual packet of rice could be included in a pocket in the wedding program. At an outdoor ceremony, a small cone of rice looped with ribbon might be attached to each guest's chair.

It is essential to let the guests know when the toss is to happen, so guests aren't confused. Tell them if it is happening as the couple walks out, or saved for a group photo, or the couple's arrival to the reception. This info could be in the ceremony program or via an announcement by the officiant just before the wedding begins.

Rice Toss Alternatives

Maybe one of the traditional meanings of throwing rice, like having lots of children, does not align with your intention for your future together. Or perhaps you'd like to find a greener throw or something that carries the theme and color of your wedding, or is symbolic to you. Our expert has some ideas for your toss:

Environmentally friendly options like seeds, dried flowers, or herbs.

Include your wedding colors in your toss by using non-staining flowers or lavender.

Set up an interactive station where guests create their own tossing mix prior to the start of the ceremony.

If a clean-up crew is in tow, some other fun ideas are having guests toss pom-poms, rose petals, bio-degradable confetti, or even throwing paper-airplanes.

Want to skip the ceremony toss all-together? Pass out ribbon wands or bells for guests to ring during the grand exit at the end of the night.

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Tossing a handful of rice at the married couple after their wedding ceremony is an ancient tradition. Learn about the history, symbolism, myth, and modern alternatives to throwing rice from an expert.

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It’s a traditional game where people will draw a line on the floor for each team, and the players need to run pass through the defends team to win the game. In the opposite side, the defends team needs to prevent people from passing through the line. This game is a traditional activities that have been passed won through centuries. This game contains entertainment, physical activity, cooperations, and social interactions between children and even including adults. This is a contribution to the cultural fabric for the country.

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Galah panjang is a game traditionally played on a court drawn on the vacant land. Tennis made containing two columns and several rows depending on the number of players. Long pole ring is made according to the number of players playing long pole. For example if there are 10 players, tennis made consists of 4 lines. If the number of eight players, tennis long pole consists of 3 lines. The game involves the expertise of a chief or capital to control movement on behalf of the children of the control field. While the efficiency and speed tested to the ring to face. If the court has the discretion to face to face the court, then they can win easily.

1. Tennis long pole in sketch above ground space. The length and width depending on the painter line and the number of players. Often a long pole box measuring approximately 2 meters x 1.5 meters.

2. After a selection is made, each group will perform the selection head. Chief of these two groups will vote who care and who are the tennis courts.

3. After the determination, the group in charge of the court will keep the ring with treads upon lines drawn earlier. Chief will keep the center line and free go to any front or rear lines.

4. Group attack will gather in front of the ring, the next chief will touch hands with opponent's head. Next, run to finish their entry into the ring.

5. Guardians will keep an area not exceeding facer guarded line.

6. Facer will cover most end up crossing the line without being touched by the keeper ring and then turned back.

7. Victory is achieved when people who have crossed the line beyond the end of the start line. And the game continues until there are players who want to quit.

All the players will be considered off the attacking team if one of them is touched by a player defending team.

Attacking team player can not retreat back after crossing the line ring, it is assumed dead will cause change of teams.

Attacking team assumed dead if there are players out of the field lines.

Calculated the attacking team wins if one of his players to pass through all the lines to return to the starting line. One point is awarded to the team and the game will be re-activated.

Any team that can accumulate the highest points will be considered to win the match

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Galah panjang is a game traditionally played on a court drawn on the vacant land. Tennis made containing two columns and several rows ...

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This is a traditional game that was played hundred years ago, where people will be making their own kite and people will be choosing the best one, and the best one will win the game. Wau has the cultural significance that represent Malaysian's identity. The kites have their own culture and own patterns that our inspired by nature, culture, and mythologies. This game could show the different designs and styles during different generations, and led people to understand the different styles and different perspectives during different generations.

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This page is a quick look at the five main types of these kites from Malaysia. There's more info than pictures actually, but there's a link further down which takes you to a ton of great images!

Apparently, the decoration on early kites was influenced by Malay wood carvings. In fact, the kites themselves are said to have been developed by wood carvers who also came up with the method of decoration.

In a somewhat unique process, designs are traced onto paper or tissue before being carefully cut out. The piece with the hole in it is then pasted onto the kite! After many such pieces of different colors are applied, intricate patterns emerge. Shiny foil paper is commonly used, to get the vibrant and complex effect.

The photo, with the flag trailing, is of the kite we saw at the Adelaide International Kite Festival.

In the center of most of these kites is a large flowery symbol, called the Ibu or Mother of all Life. If it's not there, the kite isn't considered to be traditional. Also, traditional designs feature a vine coming out of a vase or flower pot at the base of the kite. Leaves and flowers must be included.

One type of Wau that has its origins in neighboring Indonesia is painted rather than stuck with tissue and foil. There's more on that one further down.

See that long horizontal stick near the nose of the kite in the photo? That is a bow from which is strung a tape or line which vibrates in the wind-a hummer. Originally, these kites were flown with very long hummers. Farmers were in the habit of putting up a kite or two to fly all night while they stayed in a shack among their rice paddies. Sometimes this was for days at a time, so they had plenty of time for kite making!

Besides helping the farmer to doze off at night, the sound of the hummer was believed to frighten away evil spirits. Some even used the patterns of sound to forecast the following day's weather!

On this site, there's more kite-making info than you can poke a stick at :-)

Want to know the most convenient way of using it all?

The Big MBK E-book Bundle is a collection of downloads- printable PDF files which provide step-by-step instructions for many kites large and small.

Every kite in every MBK series.

The Five Types of Wau

Wau bulan

This is also known as the "moon kite" since the crescent-shaped lower sail looks a little like a moon in the sky. It comes from the state of Kelantan. It also has the status of being one of Malaysia's national symbols. As such, it featured on the reverse side of the Malaysian fifty-cent coin in 1989.

This type has curved leading and trailing edges, coming to a pointed tip on each side. On some examples, there are blank spaces on either side which are called the "eyes." According to folklore, these help guide the kite in flight!

The wau bulan is bigger than other traditional Malaysian kites. Typical examples are 2.5 meters (8 feet) wide and 3.5 meters (11 feet) tall. The two we saw were certainly around this size.

... jala budi

This is also known as the "woman kite," although considerable imagination is required to see why, from its shape!

The tail of this kite is similar to the budi leaf which is found in Kedah. "Jala" means "net" and refers to the tail structure.

... kuching

This means "cat kite." When viewed from the back, there is apparently a similarity to a sitting cat and hence the name.

In keeping with this, some of these have their hummers tuned to screech and yowl like a cat in the dead of night! One of these days I need to add sound files to this website, so I can illustrate stuff like this.

... barat

Known as the "leaf kite," this design is similar to the bulan version but is wider and does not generally have a hummer. Being painted rather than stuck with colored paper, the artists tend to be more creative and less bound to traditional guidelines with their designs. Additionally, artists who use Batik techniques are often used to do the decoration.

Interestingly, there must be some weight savings here, since these kites are able to stay up in lighter winds than the other designs. I guess the weight of all those layers of glue or paste add up! Since the winds are often lightest early in the day, this design is also called the "early morning kite" or just "morning kite."

... merak

The "peacock kite" has a tail rather than a lower sail. Seeing a picture of one of these reminded me of the tail of a wedge-tailed eagle. This kite is local to the Johor province of Malaysia. Funnily enough, it's not readily accepted into official competitions outside Johor. That's because its origins actually go back to Sulawesi, Indonesia, where it is flown mainly by the Bugis people.

This variation has a hummer like most of the others, but it's something special! Seven different sounds can be made, and it used to be flown at night to accentuate the effect of beautiful noises from above. Does it use multiple strings, tuned to different pitches? I don't know.

Now, I know you are hanging out to see some pictures of these incredibly visual kites, so here is a link that I think you will enjoy!

Also, you might like to read our account of when we saw a large wau bulan at the Adelaide International Kite Festival in our city.

As mentioned earlier, there's more kite-making on this site than you can poke a stick at :-)

Want to know the most convenient way of using it all?

The Big MBK E-book Bundle is a collection of downloads- printable PDF files which provide step-by-step instructions for many kites large and small.

Every kite in every MBK series.

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Wau Kites - Ornate And Intricate Malaysian Creations

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We once saw a Wau kite at a local kite festival. Seeing the decoration close-up was amazing! Here's the five main types from Malaysia.

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It's a cultural game that played with small stones or pebbles. People will sit on the floor in a circle and play, they need to collect each stone when they toss one in the air. And see who got more stones last. This is a very old game that played by generations and generations. This is important for people to understand the perspectives and the culture that people have long time ago, keep playing this game could prevent this game to disappear, but due to the improvements of technologies, people wouldn't want to play these games anymore.

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Batu seremban is a traditional Malaysian game played on playgrounds and at home. The game can be played by individuals or with a group of friends. Batu seremban is similar to the game of jacks, where an object is tossed into the air, items are gathered on the ground, and the tossed item is caught. Unlike jacks, there is no ball, and traditionally players use 5 stones they have collected. Other natural objects like seeds, bits of wood, or dried clay can be used. Today in Malaysia, little cloth sacks, which contained seeds or beans, are often used in place of the stones. The most popular shape for the cloth stones are little pyramids. There are many versions of the game. We are sharing one version. If your family enjoys the game, research various rules online to find a version your family enjoys most. Every site we went to had different rules! If you would like to make your own batu seremban cloth stones, check out our tutorial for making the little pyramids.
Batu Seremban Materials

5 stones (found or made)

1 or more players

NOTE: Visit Wee Folk Art's Homeschool Companion blog to learn How to Make the Pyramid Game Pieces.
One Variation of Batu Seremban Rules
Sit on a hard, clean, level floor. Note: Concrete is not a good choice. It is easy to scrape your knuckles on the surface!

Throw all five stones into the air. Catch one of the stones before it hits the ground. This is your tossing stone. From this point on, throw the tossing stone into the air, and pick up 1 ground stone, then catch the tossing stone before it hits the ground. Do the same with the rest of the ground stones. Unless otherwise stated, the caught ground stones can be set aside before picking up more stones.

Throw all five stones into the air, catching a tossing stone. Do the same as Level One but this time pick up 2 ground stones at a time.
Level Three
Throw all five stones into the air, catching a tossing stone. Do the same as Level One but pick up 3 stones on your first toss and 1 stone on your second toss.

Throw all five stones into the air, catching a tossing stone. Do the same as level one but pick up all 4 of the ground stones at one time.

Keep the five stones in your hand from Level 4. Throw one stone from this group into the air, place the remaining 4 stones on the ground, then catch the tossing stone before it hits the ground.

Throw all 5 stones on the ground. After they have landed, pick up 2 stones. Throw one of those stones, the tossing stone, into the air. While it is in the air, exchange the second stone in your hand for one of the stones on the ground. Catch the tossing stone before it hits the ground. Continue this until you have exchanged all the stones on the ground.
Level Seven
Throw the two stones that you are holding from the end of Level Six. The other stones remain on the ground. While the stones are in the air, pick up 1 ground stone, then catch both of the tossing stones, one in each hand. You now have 2 stones in one hand and 1 stone in another. Throw up the two stones that are in one hand, and again pick up one stone from the ground with the hand that is not holding a stone, then catch both of the tossing stones, one in each hand. You now have 2 stones in each hand. Toss up two stones from one hand, and pick up the final ground stone in your hand that is not holding a stone. Catch both of the tossing stones, one in each hand. You now have 2 stones in one hand and 3 stones in the other. Throw the 2 stones from one hand into the air, then catching the tossing stones, one in each hand. You now have 1 stone in one hand and 4 stones in the other. Finally, throw the one lone stone into the air catch it in the hand that has 4 stones. You now are holding all 5 stones in one hand.
Level Eight
Throw all five stones on the ground. Your opponent looks at the stones and picks one stone to be her tossing stone. She has to pick up that stone without touching any other stone. The play now throws the tossing stone into the air and must pick up the remaining 4 ground stones and catch the tossing stone before it hits the ground. If the player is successful, she now begins on Level One. If she is not successful, the play passes on to the next opponent.
Losing Turns
If at any point in time a player fails to complete a level, his turn ends and the stones are passed on to the next opponent. When it is this players turn again, he can start at the beginning of the level that they did not complete.
Winning the Game
If you wish to play the game competitively, the first person to complete all Eight Levels wins. It is the next opponent's turn, and everyone starts back at Level One. If one wishes to play for fun, the game continues without a winner being declared, and everyone simply tries to improve their skills. If you are not playing competitively, whenever anyone completes Level Eight, the play passes on to the next opponent and the player that finished the game, will begin again on Level One on his next turn.

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Batu Seremban Game Directions - Homeschool Companion

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Batu seremban is a traditional Malaysian game played on playgrounds. The game can be played by individuals or with a group of friends. Learn how to play.

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Malaysian Traditional Games | Galah Panjang

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High In The Sky | Official Trailer | A Documentary by Keshvan Sugumaran | Tririse Films

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How to play Batu Seremban/5 Stones - Malaysia Traditional Board Game

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In Malaysia it’s very well known, and it’s a public transportation for students, adults to go to places wherever they want. It's very important in Malaysia, because it's the public transportation in urban and rural areas.

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there are two different kinds of monorail, the first one is Kuala Lumpur monorail, it’s a public transportation system that provides people to go to shopping centers, business districts. The second one is Putrajaya monorail, it’s also a monorail system but it provides people with cars to go to government buildings, architectures…etc.

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It’s a transportation for people to travel between cities, these taxis are easier for people to go to the direct places they want to go compared with train or bus.

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B Bujang Oct 12, 2023 for Foton View CS2

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Best Van Cars Malaysia Price list 2023 | Zigwheels

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Check best Van cars price list 2023 in Malaysia at Zigwheels.my. Explore best Van cars images, dimensions, fuel type and much more.

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THE 10 BEST Malaysia Taxis & Shuttles (Updated 2023) - Tripadvisor

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Top Malaysia Taxis & Shuttles: See reviews and photos of Taxis & Shuttles in Malaysia, Asia on Tripadvisor.

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Note: In the event of any approved service extension hours or special-request events, a dedicated train schedule and operation plan will be introduced.

This include all unique operations i.e. Ramadhan operations, where the morning and evening peak hours vary. We advise all travellers to plan their journey well and be aware of the closing hours for the intended exit station.

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Rapid KL - Monorail Schedules. Routes. Service Highlights pasang ladies coachLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.Info LanjutKemaskini Perkhidmatan LRT Ampang Sri PetalingLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus...

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It’s a day for prayers and penance. This is the day where people celebrates the conquering of good over evil. They will pierce their bodies to prove their gratitude to the lord marugan, and also show their endurance and willpower. This is a festival that is related to their own religions, where this festival could show their own perspectives and drawings, because people will draw some symbols on the body, and wear yellow because they think that it's lord Murugan's favorite color. Thaipusam attracts some visitros around the world by the uniqueness that this festival has, it gives the opportunity for cultural exchange and cultural understanding.

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It is the most fascinating festival you will ever witness. Thaipusam is a Hindu Festival that happens every January or February. Thaipusam is celebrated by the Tamil community in Sri Lanka, India, Singapore, and Mauritius. But nowhere celebrates it as big as Malaysia.

Celebrated during the full moon of the Tamil month of Thai, (January or February) Thaipusam draws thousands of devotees paying their respects to the Lord Muruga. It is a colourful and shocking Hindu festival where devotees pierce themselves with pins and spikes, hang pots and fruit off of their chests with hooks and pull chariots or people hanging onto heavy rope attached to their backs by hooks.

Thaipusam Festival Malaysia Asia

Thaipusam is a day of celebration as devotees pray to the Lord Muruga for good luck in the coming year. They thank him for a wish that was granted this past year or as I read in the paper, for the good grades they received in school.

The ages range from the very young. Babies have their heads shaves and piercings were as young as 13-years old to people well into their 70's. They are offering penance to Lord Muruga for their own and various reasons.

Where to Celebrate Thaipusam

We have had the privilege to experience two Thaipusam Festivals. Our first was at the Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur, our second was ins Penang. Read more about Penang, Malaysia 16 Best Things To Do In Penang, Malaysia

There weren't as many people in Penang as there were in Kuala Lumpur. Over a million people make their way to the Batu Caves where as 20,000 people visit the waterfall temple in Penang.

Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur

For a first-time Thaipusam attendee, we would suggest going to the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur. It is far more exciting and energetic. The crowds are bigger and the devotees are far more outlandish and flamboyant.

At the Batu Caves, people seemed to be in a more crazed state of trance. Their eyes were wild and void of recognition. The energy is more animalistic and frenzied.

In Penang, it is more reserved. The crowds are smaller, the devotees are calm and relaxed. You feel as if you could walk up and talk to them, to ask them how they are feeling. They are in a trance, but seem to be very aware and present at the same time.

Thaipusam in Penang

In Penang, we could walk right up to devotees and take extreme close-ups of their faces and backs. We didn't have to fight the crowd of a million people as we did in KL to catch a glimpse of a worshipper. We enjoyed the quieter energy of Penang. The devotees were just as devoted and impressive, they were just fewer and farther in between.

The pilgrimage route to the temple was shaded by trees and the steps to the top of the temple were shorter and less crowded. We stood right beside a group of devotees from China and watched their handlers take care of their open wounds. They bathed them with water and guarded the long spikes sticking out of their cheeks.

We felt that we could study Thaipusam and felt more a part of it rather than the faraway observer that we were in Kuala Lumpur.

While I would never change my first experience of Thaipusam at the Batu Caves, I was grateful to be a part of the procession, the breaking of coconuts for good luck in the year ahead and an up close and personal observer of Amazing Thaipusam in Penang.

What is Thaipusam?

Thaipusam takes place at the end of January. It is a sacred Hindu Festival and the best place to experience Thaipusam for first-time attendees is in Kuala Lumpur where the largest congregation of people will converge for a three-day festival at the Batu Caves.

According to the papers, 1.5 million people attend the Thaipusam pilgrimage this year and we are in the heart of the action. Staying at a guesthouse in Chinatown, we are only two blocks from the start of the procession where worshippers pay tribute to Lord Muruga.

The pilgrimage begins at midnight where devotees begin a 13km walk from downtown Kuala Lumpur to the base of the Caves following his Golden Chariot. It is here that they will be put into a trance and begin their journey up the 272 steps to the entrance of this vast chamber.

Who Takes Part in Thaipusam

People take part in Thaipusam for different reasons. Some to give thanks for a miracle which has happened in their lives, others to ask for a wish to be granted or to rid themselves of their sins by carrying burdens and piercing their bodies. However, this is not your ordinary everyday piercing.

These devoted people have a Priest drive spikes through their cheeks and tongues or insert hooks into their backs and chests on which they hang various fruit or milk pots to add to the discomfort. Some people carry Kevadi's; giant cumbersome alters made of steal decorated with vibrant ribbons and peacock feathers, while others simply carry a pot full of coconut milk upon their heads to take to the cave as an offering. A feat in itself due to the heat and number of people they have to push through.

Batu Caves

We arrived at the Batu Caves 24 hours after the procession began in the middle of the night by local bus. Drums are beating and people are chanting "Vel Vel" as the overwhelming crowd pushes forward towards the cave high in a cliff overhead. It feels like a dream as you sway in the intense heat among the squeeze of people.

Inside the Batu Caves

I worked my way out of the procession to the safety of a drainage pipe overlooking the masses for as far as the eye can see watching in awe as people pass. Their wide eyes seeing through me as I snap my camera. Sometimes devotees will break into a wild dance or let out a primal scream. Others are more playful and dance to the music putting beetle nut on the foreheads of onlookers.

Preparation for Thaipusam

They seem to be connected to something ancient and powerful feeling no pain and experiencing little fatigue due weeks of meditation, a strict diet, and then finally a fast to help them prepare for this important event.

We are so enthralled with Thaipusam that we take the bus back to the caves the following morning. Exhausted from the night before and working on only 2 hours of sleep, we haul ourselves out of bed to experience for a second time this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The daylight hours take away a bit of the eeriness and we feel a little braver under the bright sky. Hooks and spikes are bigger, kevadis are more ornate, and the worshippers are as committed as ever.

Steps to the Batu Caves

We have managed to join the procession this time walking up the steep flight of stairs with thousands of other people to enter the caves. The sun is overwhelming and it is a relief to reach the cool darkness. It is here that we are treated to an intimate view of people coming out of their trances, having their hooks and piercing removed and to watch some mischievous monkeys fight for bananas.

Reactions

In a roped-off area, each person reacts differently to the effects of their difficult task. Some people faint once they have finished their pilgrimage and are surrounded by loved ones who massage feeling back into their arms and legs as they lie on the rocky floor. Some bleed as their hooks are extracted from their backs and chests, but most of the time, not a drop of blood is spilled.

It is said that their deep trance and strict preparations, stop the flow. Priests carefully take out the spikes and hooks, stuffing the wounds with ash and disinfecting them with lime. It looks painful, but they seem oblivious.

The cave is quiet and calm, a contrast to the enormous energy and excitement of outside. Their ordeal is over and burdens are lifted. It seems almost anticlimactic to watch people talking casually, laughing with each other or walking calmly around the cave, taking in the sights.

The festival has come to an end and the only thing left is the long procession back to Kuala Lumpur where the Golden Chariot will return to it's home at the Sri Mahamariamman Temple.

Thaipusam

This incredible event happens all over Malaysia and Singapore. Pilgrims pay homage to Lord Muruga for different reasons as they make their pilgrimage to the Batu Caves carrying heavy Kevadis, pulling chariots, and suffering through heat and exhaustion.

We didn't think that we would ever witness another Thaipusam, but we found ourselves back in Malaysia at the very time it happened again and it was just as fascinating as the first.

This is by far the most fascinating festival we have ever taken part in and we look forward again to being observers in the Mighty Hindu Festival known as Thaipusam.

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Thaipusam - Malaysia's Shocking Hindu Festival

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It is the most fascinating festival you will ever witness. Thaipusam is a Hindu Festival that happens every January or February. Thaipusam is celebrated by the Tamil community in Sri Lanka, India, Singapore, and Mauritius. But nowhere celebrates it as big as Malaysia.

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This is the day where Malaysians would donate to celebrate the holiness of buddhists, people will give food to the offerings and put sticks on it, and the prayers are carried out. This festival shows the religious group that Malaysia have, by the uniqueness of the festivals, people also could understand the religion and the meaning of this festivals, this is why this festival is important in Malaysian's community.

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Wesak Day is a holiday observed traditionally by the devout worshipers of Lord Buddha, the Enlightened One. Wesak Day is celebrated by Buddhists throughout the world especially in Sri Lanka, Nepal, India, Bangladesh and South East Asian countries which include Indonesia, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia. Wesak Day, or sometimes known as Wesakha, is informally referred to as 'Buddha's Birthday', with the special day being commemorated in honoring the birth, enlightenment (nirvana) as well as passing away (Parinirvana) of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha. The holiday is usually known by its Sanskrit name in Mahayana Buddhist traditions.

Wesak Day marks the three major events in Buddha's life, namely his birth, his enlightenment and his achievement of Nirvana. The commemoration of these events on Wesak Day usually begins at dawn at Buddhist temples throughout the country. Devotees gather to meditate on the Eight Precepts. Monks in saffron colored robes chant the sutras in unison. A candle procession is the highlight of the celebration, and at the same time, offerings of prayers, joss sticks, and incense, giving food to the needy and donations are also made. Much to the delight of all devout Buddhists (and those non-celebrating as well) in Malaysia, Wesak Day is considered one of the national public holidays.

There is a wide variety when it comes to determining the exact date of the Wesak Day celebration. Various lunar calendars are used in different traditions to determine the date. Those who celebrate Wesak Day in Korea, Japan and China usually mark the celebration on 8th of April each year. Regardless of the different dates for the celebration of the holy day, Wesak Day is observed by all sects of Buddhist and observances by the devotes on that day include 'bathing' the Buddha, giving to charity, abstaining from meat through the consumption of vegetarian food, meditation and observing the eight percepts.

Every year in Malaysia, thousands of devotees from all walks of life gather in the spirit of Buddha. At the Malaysian Buddhist Association, ardent devotees queued patiently to take turns to bathe the Buddha statue, which is a special ritual that represents the purification and cleansing of one's soul. Aside from that, devotees who go into the shrine hall are able to light the lotus-shaped candles and seek Buddha's blessings. At the end of the prayers, well-wishers and devotees come together to dine on simple offerings of vegetarian food and drinks.

Wesak Day 2012 takes place on the 5th of May. The Wesak Day Parade starts at 7pm at the Buddhist Temple Maha Vihara, in Brickfields, an area just outside of the city center. From there the parade slowly makes its way to the Bukit Bintang area. I am not 100% sure if the parade follows the same route each year, but it is certain that they will pass Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Bukit Bintang at some point in the evening. From the city center the parade makes its way back to Brickfields again, where the last decorated floats arrives around 11pm.

If you want to witness the actual start of the parade, make sure you are in the Brickfields area well before the parade departs; the streets will be jammed around that time. Tourists that are staying in the Bukit Bintang area should head over to the purple/brown HSBC building along Jalan Sultan Ismail for the best views. Those staying in Chinatown will be able to see the parade in front of the Central Market and later when it returns from KLCC, also along Jalan Pudu in front of Pudu Central.

Route Wesak Day Parade

Last year JAF from Asian Peanuts made a nice map that depicts the route that is usually followed. The official Buddhist Maha Vihara Temple has published a Wesak Day 2012 schedule. Below JAF's map of the Wesak Day Parade.

Suggestions?

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Wesak Day is a holiday observed traditionally by the devout worshipers of Lord Buddha, the Enlightened One. Wesak Day is celebrated by Buddhists throughout the world especially in Sri Lanka, Nepal, India, Bangladesh and South East Asian countries which include Indonesia, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia.

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This is a festival for people to celebrate the rice harvest, and thankful for the spirits of rice, and make an end of the harvest season. This is important in Malaysia due to the cultural heritage, people will wear a specific traditional clothes with traditional musics and dances, and also people would eat traditional Malay food. This festival contains a large amount of different culture in Malaysia, if this festival disappear, lots of cultures in Malaysia will also disappear too.

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EAZY Traveler | Chronicles of a Filipino Travel Journalist

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One of the Philippine celebrations I've long wanted to attend is the Kaamulan Festival in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. Last March 22 to 27, I finally had the opportunity to experience this cultural event as part of a media tour of Northern Mindanao, organized by the Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines, under the Department of Tourism (DOT), with the assistance of Earth Explorers Travel & Tours, an outstanding tour operator based in Cagayan de Oro. This year's festival climaxed on the weekend of March 23, with its most-awaited event: the street dancing competition and ground presentation.

Derived from the Binukid word amul meaning "to gather", the Kaamulan Festival is the celebratory congregation of the Bukidnon province's seven indigenous groups, namely, the Bukidnon, Higaonon, Talaandig, Manobo, Matigsalug, Tigwahanon and Umayamnon. The celebration started in 1974 during the town fiesta when local officials invited some tribespeople to perform their cultural dances. What started as a small gathering has grown to one of the biggest festivals in Mindanao, drawing contingents from different municipalities across the province. Unlike other cultural festivals which merely draw inspiration from indigenous arts and culture, the participants of the Kaamulan are actual tribespeople belonging to the different ethnic groups, thereby making it "the only ethnic festival in the Philippines", according to festival organizers.

Our festival experience was preluded by a cultural presentation on the eve of the grand parade. At the Kaamulan Open Theater, we watched Ulaging: The Marriage of Agyu and Tagyakuwa, a contemporary interpretation of an episode from a folk-epic of the Talaandig Manobo people, performed by Bukidnon State University Dance Troupe. The dance-drama was accompanied by soulful singing by the Bukidnon State University Chorale and Youth for Culture and Arts Project Singers. The ulaging is a folk epic that recounts the adventures of Agyu, the cultural hero of the Bukidnon. The following morning we woke up before sunrise to witness the grand parade, the highlight of the Kaamulan Festival. Fortunately, our group was conveniently billeted at Pine Hills Hotel located right along Sayre Highway, where the contingents gathered in formation. It was a vivid explosion of ethnic diversity. The dancers were dressed in their traditional attire, crafted in colorful fabric and embellished with intricate beadwork or embroidery, and accessorized with bracelets, anklets, and, for some ethnic groups, with elaborate fan-like headdresses like the panika of the Bukidnon. Aside from colorfully dressed dancers, the contingents were also comprised of costumed performers (like frogs and horses), giant puppets, and musicians playing rhythmic percussions on floats.

This year's street dancing competition had 12 contingents from the municipalities of Don Carlos, Kibawe, Pangantucan, Quezon, Libona, Dangcagan, San Fernando, Kalilangan, Lantapan, Impasugong and the two cities of Valencia and Malaybalay. The winners of the street dancing were the following: Malaybalay (Champion), Valencia (1st Runner-Up), and Quezon (2nd Runner-up), while the winners of the ground presentation were Pangantucan (Champion), Malaybalay (1st Runner-up), and Kalilangan (2nd Runner-up).
This blog post was possible through the media tour of Northern Mindanao from March 22 to 27, 2018, organized by the Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines, under the Department of Tourism (DOT), with the assistance of Cagayan de Oro-based tour operator, Earth Explorers Travel & Tours.
Kaamulan Kaamulan festival malaybalay malaybalay city

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Kaamulan Festival: Tribal Revelry in Malaybalay, Bukidnon | EAZY Traveler

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One of the Philippine celebrations I've long wanted to attend is the Kaamulan Festival in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

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Mintil is a language that has less than 40 speakers. It’s an Aslian language in Malaysia, it’s supposed to be a variety of the Batek Language. Due to cultural identity, this language contains a Malaysian traditions, knowledge, and practices that are passes down through generations and generations. Which it's very important for Malaysia to keep their own traditions and culture, by preserving this language could help Malaysian to keep their own cultural identity and heritage.

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This is a language that has less than 35 speakers. It’s one of the Aboriginal Malay languages, and this language is spoken by the Orang Kanaq, which is the group in Peninsular. Due to community bond, communication and inclusivity, this language often connects people within a specific religious groups, which makes these people have a sense of belonging and shared their own identity. Malaysia is separated into different communities, which they can communicate with their own languages, and understand other people's differs.

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Chewong is a language that only have less than 200 speakers. It’s an Austroasiatic language that is spoken by the Peninsular by cheq wong people. The unique language like Chewing could contain some indigenous knowledge and traditional knowledge that could let people understand the history and the specific communities. This language allows knowledge and literature to produce in this language.

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Orang Kanaq Pronunciation [ˈoraŋ ˈkanaʔ] Spoken in Malaysia Native speakers 83  (date missing) Language family Austronesian

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Cheq Wong (Ceq Wong, Chewong) is an Austroasiatic language spoken in the Malay Peninsula by the Cheq Wong people. It belongs to the Northern subbranch of the Aslian languages. Northern Aslian was labelled Jehaic in the past.

An ethnographic map of the Malay Peninsula showing were the Cheq Wong people live (in green).

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Cheq Wong is an Austroasiatic language spoken in the Malay Peninsula by the Cheq Wong people. It belongs to the Northern subbranch of the Aslian languages. Northern Aslian was labelled Jehaic in the past.

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Mintil language | Wikipedia audio article

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Mintil language | Wikipedia audio article

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learn more about Orang Kanaq in audio file

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learn more about Orang Kanaq in audio file