members i.e.Tanisha Prathi,Loh Wen Yan,Thaamarai,Leong Yuen Shin and Tasha Naresh from 2 Jujur. We have created a blog for your viewing pleasure about our beautiful country,Malaysia.Malaysia is rich in its multi-racial cultures and its historical heritage.
ABOUT MALAYSIA
Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy in Southeast Asia. It consists of thirteen states and three federal territories and has a total landmass of 329,845 square kilometres.The capital city is Kuala Lumpur, while Putrajaya is the seat of the federal government. The population stands at over 28 million.
The country is separated by the South China Sea into two regions, Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo (also known as East Malaysia).Malaysia borders Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei. It is near the equator and has a tropical climate.
Malaysia's head of state is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,an elected monarch, and the head of government is the Prime Minister. The government is closely modelled on the Westminster parliamentary system.
Having had an interesting past and being a part of the international spice route many hundreds of years ago, Malaysia has turned into a mosaic of cultures. Everything from its people to its architecture reflect a colourful heritage and an amalgamated culture. To understand Malaysian culture, you must first get to know its people.
DISCOVER A LAND OF INTRIGUING DIVERSITY
Malays, Chinese, Indians and many other ethnic groups have lived together in Malaysia for generations. All these cultures have influenced each other, creating a truly Malaysian culture.The largest ethnic groups in Malaysia are the Malays, Chinese and Indians. In Sabah and Sarawak, there are a myriad of indigenous ethic groups with their own unique culture and heritage.
MALAY
Today, the Malays, Malaysia's largest ethnic group, make up more than 50% of the population. In Malaysia, the term Malay refers to a person who practices Islam and Malay traditions, speaks the Malay language and whose ancestors are Malays. Their conversion to Islam from Hinduism and Theravada Buddhism began in the 1400s, largely influenced by the decision of the royal court of Melaka. The Malays are known for their gentle mannerisms and rich arts heritage.
CHINESE
The second largest ethnic group, the Malaysian Chinese form about 25% of the population. Mostly descendents of Chinese immigrants during the 19th century, the Chinese are known for their diligence and keen business sense. The three sub-groups who speak a different dialect of the Chinese language are the Hokkien who lives predominantly on the northern island of Penang; the Cantonese who lives predominantly in the capital city Kuala Lumpur; and the Mandarin-speaking group who lives predominantly in the southern state of Johor.
INDIAN
The smallest of three main ethnic groups, the Malaysian Indians form about 10% of the population. Most are descendents of Tamil-speaking South Indian immigrants who came to the country during the British colonial rule. Lured by the prospect of breaking out of the Indian caste system, they came to Malaysia to build a better life. Predominantly Hindus, they brought with them their colourful culture such as ornate temples, spicy cuisine and exquisite sarees.
INDIGENOUS ETHNIC GROUPS
Orang Asli
Orang Asli is a general term used for any indigenous groups that are found in Peninsular Malaysia. They are divided into three main tribal groups: Negrito, Senoi and Proto-Malay. The Negrito usually lives in the north, the Senoi in the middle and the Proto-Malay in the south. Each group or sub-group has its own language and culture. Some are fishermen, some farmers and some are semi-nomadic.
SARAWAK
Collectively known as the Dayaks, the Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu are the major ethnic groups in the state of Sarawak. Dayak, which means upstream or inland, is used as a blanket term by the Islamic coastal population for over 200 tribal groups. Typically, they live in longhouses, traditional community homes that can house 20 to 100 families.
Iban
The largest of Sarawak's ethnic groups, the Ibans form 30% of the state's population. Sometimes erroneously referred to as the Sea Dayaks because of their skill with boats, they are actually an upriver tribe from heart of Kalimantan. In the past, they were a fearsome warrior race renowned for headhunting and piracy. Traditionally, they worship a triumvirate of gods under the authority of Singalang Burung, the bird-god of war. Although now mostly Christian, many traditional customs are still practised.
Bidayuh
Peace-loving and easy-going, the gentle Bidayuh of Sarawak are famous for their hospitality and tuak or rice wine. Making their homes in Sarawak's mountainous regions, they are mostly farmers and hunters. In their past headhunting days, their prized skulls were stored in a baruk a roundhouse that rises about 1.5 metres above the ground. Originally animists, now most of them have converted to Christianity.
Orang Ulu
Also known as upriver tribes of Sarawak. Forming roughly 5.5% of Sarawak's population, there are over 100,000 different Orang Ulu tribes. Arguably Borneo's most artistic people, their large longhouses are ornately decorated with murals and superb woodcarvings; their utensils are embellished with intricate beadwork; and aristocratic ladies cover their bodies with finely detailed tattoos.
SABAH
The largest indigenous ethnic groups of Sabah's population are the Kadazan Dusun, the Bajau and the Murut.
Kadazan Dusun
The largest ethnic group of Sabah, the Kadazan Dusuns form about 30% of the state's population. Actually consisting of two tribes; the Kadazan and the Dusun, they were grouped together as they both share the same language and culture. However, the Kadazan are mainly inhabitants of flat valley deltas, which are conducive to paddy field farming, while the Dusun traditionally lived in the hilly and mountainous regions of interior Sabah.
Bajau
The second largest ethnic group in Sabah, the Bajaus make up about 15% of the state's population. Historically a nomadic sea-faring people that worshipped the Omboh Dilaut or God of the Sea, they are sometimes referred to as the Sea Gypsies. Those who chose to leave their sea-faring ways became farmers and cattle-breeders. These land Bajaus are nicknamed 'Cowboys of the East' in tribute to their impressive equestrian skills, which are publicly displayed in the annual Tamu Besar festival at Kota Belud.
Murut
The third largest ethnic group in Sabah the Muruts make up about 3% of the state's population. Traditionally inhabiting the northern inland regions of Borneo, they were the last of Sabah's ethnic groups to renounce headhunting. Now, they are mostly shifting cultivators of hill paddy and tapioca, supplementing their diet with blowpipe hunting and fishing. Like most indigenous tribes in Sabah, their traditional clothing is decorated with distinctive beadwork.
The Malaysian Flag
The flag of Malaysia, also known as the “Jalur Gemilang” ("Stripes of Glory"), comprises a field of 14 alternating red and white stripes along the fly and a blue canton bearing a crescent and a 14-point star known as the Bintang Persekutuan or Federal Star. The 14 stripes, of equal width, represent the equal status in the federation of the 13 member states and the federal government, while the 14 points of the star represent the unity between these entities[1]. The crescent represents Islam, the country's official religion; the blue canton symbolizes the unity of the Malaysian people; the yellow of the star and crescent is the royal colour of the Malay rulers.
Historical Places in Malaysia
Malaysia is a land rich in cultaral heritage and history. There are many wonderful historical places throughout Malaysia such as the Malacca Sultanate Palace Musuem, St Paul's Church, Stadhuys, A' Formosa Fortress and many more.
The Malacca Sultanate Palace Musuem
The Malacca Sultanate Palace Musuem is located in Malacca. It is a reconstructed palace of the Malacca's sultans. It symbolizes the history of the whole Malaccan region. The museum displays the region's collection of artifacts, prints, photographs, and different art works made by the residents of the community during the Melaka period. The palace museum is a three storey building with three galleries and a total of eight chambers presenting the royal weaponries, bands, halls and the royal gifts. The museum was opened to public in July 1986.
St. Paul's Church
St. Paul's Church was built by a Portuguese captain by the name of Duarte Coelho who wanted to make this place a leading Catholic church. The chapel was turned by the Dutch into a burial ground for their noble dead and renamed 'St. Paul's Church' from the Portuguese 'Our Lady Of The Hill'. St. Francis Xavier was briefly enshrined in the open grave in 1553 before being shipped to Goa, India while this church remained one of Malacca's most recognizable landmark.
A' Famosa Fortress
A Famosa is one of the most valuable ruins built by the Portuguese centuries ago. Known also as Porta de Santiago, this structure is one of the four main gates of the famous Portuguese fortress. The fortress was built by Alfonso de Albuquerque in 1512, one year after the Portuguese invaded Melaka. It was intended to fence off the attack from Sultan Mahmud of the Melaka Sultanate Era and the continuous attack from Acheh and Johor empires.
The A’ Famosa fortress with 3-meter thick walls and a 40-meter watchtower had played a major role in protecting the Portuguese from their enemies. It was also the most well-known and symbolic fortress that the Portuguese had ever built. It was the biggest one ever built and was aptly named A Famosa, which means famous in Portuguese language.
However, A’ Famosa did not manage to sustain its golden days as the biggest fortress being built by the Portuguese. In 1641, the Dutch landed in Melaka and took over the state from the hand of the Portuguese. As a result, A’ Famosa fell into the hands of the Dutch. However, the fortress continued to play its role for the Dutch after it was renovated and rebuilt.
Similar to St. Paul Church, this old fortress had also undergone different stages of change by various colonial powers that landed in Melaka centuries ago.
The Stadhyus
This Stadhuys was once a centre of the Dutch administration in Melaka and housed the quarters of its governors and officers.
This massive red building was built between 1641 and 1660 on the ruins of a Portuguese fort, and is believed to be the oldest Dutch building in the East. It displays all the typical features of Dutch colonial architecture, including substantial solid doors and louvred windows. For over 300 years, from its completion until 1980, it was the administrative centre of successive governments.
THANK YOU!For Viewing our blog!
