THAIPUSAM COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

THAIPUSAM FESTIVAL

Ever wonder why some Indian devotees pierce their bodies or hook objects into their flesh, apparently without pain? Witness Thaipusam, India's most spectacular festival.


The Thaipusam festival (also spelled Thai Poosam) is celebrated every year on the full moon day in the month of Thai; and Thaipusam 2009 falls on 8th February. It is a Hindu festival mostly celebrated by the Tamil community in India, Malaysia, Singapore and South Indian communities worldwide. It marks two occasions:

• the birth of Lord Murugan (also called Subramaniam, Skanda or Karthikeya), the Tamil god of war and youngest son of the Hindu gods Shiva and Parvati
• the victory of Murugan over the evil demon Soorapadman

Followers of Hindu festivals will know that the victory of good over evil, symbolized by god versus demon, is a common theme in Hindu mythology. The Diwali festival, for example, celebrates the victory of Lord Ram (or Rama) over the ten-headed demon Ravana.

The Meaning Thaipusam

The Tamil word pusam refers to a star that is at its highest position during the festival. Because it is celebrated in the month of Thai, the festival is called Thaipusam. Its origin goes back to the legend of the demon (rakshasa) Soorapadman or Soorapadme who was protected against death from the hands of mortals and deities alike. Because he felt invincible, he soon started tormenting those he deemed weak.

Thaipusam Festival in Malaysia

SABAHAN COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

PESTA KEAMATAN

Harvest Festival or Harvest Festival is celebrated by people Kadazans / Dusuns
as a celebration of good harvest, but also celebrated Harvest Festival
all other ethnic groups in Sabah. Harvest Festival is usually celebrated during the month
May The highlight of the festival Kaamatan beauty contest, traditional dances,
and the culmination of the ceremony conducted by Bobohizan "chief priests"

For the Kadazan Harvest Festival also known as' Tadau Ka'amatan.
Kadazan believe in spirits, and they believe
There are five types of spirits known as: - Kinoingan, Chief figure of the creator.

Rusad spirit of all
living things except humans, Koududuvo human spirit, Tombivo
spirit of those who have died, and Rogon evil spirit.

According to the beliefs of the Kadazan, rice is part of the spirit
of Kinoingan - also known as Bambaazon, who worshiped
as a creator and a very powerful source of life and the existence.
Bambaazon rice spirits are very honored to rice, rice, and rice.
Many people believe that "Without rice, there is no life."

 Ceremony Pesta Keamatan

 Sumazau Dance

 Kadazan Traditional Costume

SARAWAKIAN COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

GAWAI DAYAK CELEBRATION
Gawai celebrations celebrated by the Iban and Bidayuh in Sarawak to celebrate the conclusion of the rice harvest. Gawai Festival, also known as Gawai Dayak. Gawai Festival usually celebrated at the end of May or early June each year. Gawai Festival in Sarawak celebrated with lively towns and villages to dance, drink toddy 'cooking wine', and fun. Gawai Festival in Sarawak had been celebrated on a large scale since 1964.

         On the day of Gawai festival, a variety of food and water toddy will be presented to the god of Rice and richness. A special poem for the Gawai festival will be read by any one of them before the rooster blood sprinkling on the presentation. Presentation materials soaked with the blood of a rooster is considered as the official opening Gawai Festival.

         After the presentation ceremony had finished, the Gawai celebrations are traditionally begun. The whole community gathered around the 'ranyai' or of being carried into the ceremony and placed in the public gallery in the longhouse. Ranyai celebrations centered around food and drink toddy. Gawai Celebration is a time for all the fun while enjoying a meal with the fermented water.

         One of the most exciting events in celebration of Gawai is Ngajat Lesong. Dancers will show strength by lifting the mortar to pound rice by using his teeth.

         When the Gawai celebration, the traditional Orang Ulu ornaments made of beads that passed through generations and are priceless, will apply to be displayed. Iban virgins who will be wearing silver jewelry that features the beauty level of Gawai. The feast considered ended when ranyai or ceremonial tree removed.

Gawai Dayak Festival

 Example of 'ranya' during Gawai Festival

Ngajat Dance

Bidayuh Traditional Costume

Iban Traditional Costumes

 
 

CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

CHRISTMAS GIFT

Historically, Christmas gift giving became part of many Christmas traditions all over the world to honor the three wise men that brought gifts to the baby Jesus. The bible records "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem . . .On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh".


Even though the roots of the Christmas present extend to ancient times, the gift giving tradition we are familiar with today owes perhaps the most to Victorian England. The Victorians, who brought a renewed warmth and spirit to Christmas after it had experienced a long period of decline, made the idea of family part of the celebration. Friendliness and charity filled many hearts during their Christmas season, so giving gifts was natural. The ultimate reason for giving a gift was as an expression of kindness, a sentiment that went nicely with the historical tradition of the holiday.

The Victorians surrounded the act of gift giving with a great deal of ingenuity and merriment: simply tearing into a cache of wrapped boxes would have been to miss the point. Far more thought and preparation than that were in order during the holiday season. They had cobweb parties, which was a lot of messy fun. Each family member was assigned a color, then shown to a room crisscrossed with yarn of various colors. Each person was to follow an assigned color through the web of yarn until he or she reached the present tied to the end.

The Christmas pie was another favorite diversion, although it was not exactly edible. Small gifts were hidden in a large bowl of grain. After everyone had eaten Christmas dinner, they would gather around the pie and they took turns taking a spoonful. Whatever treat was in their spoonful was theirs to keep.

The American Christmas was greatly influenced by the Victorians, gift giving, tradition and all. America expanded on the concept with the addition of Santa Clause: the association with gifts was a natural one. Soon Santa or one of his earlier models became responsible for the presents left in an ever-increasing number of stockings.

Example of Christmas Gifts

CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

Christmas Day


Christmas Day is the biggest festival for Christians, is celebrated every year on December 25th to commemorate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, the founder of Christianity. According to the Bible, New Testament, Jesus was born of Mary (Virgin Mary) in Jerusalem. Christians believe that Jesus' birth is valid predictions about the coming of a Jewish savior (Messiah) of the rail lines of King David, that his coming was to redeem mankind from the sins of Adam (original sin). Christmas celebrations usually celebrated every December 25. However, some churches (the Orthodox Church, Coptic Church and the Eastern churches, etc.) and countries (Egypt (Egypt), Ethiopia (Etiophia), Russia, etc.) to celebrate on January 7, due to follow a different calendar (the Gregorian calendar from Julian calendar) . Modern customs of this festival include the giving of gifts, religious celebration in the church, and display a variety of decorations, including Christmas trees, decorative lights, mistletoe leaves, holly or reconstruction of the birth of Jesus (Anunciation). Santa Claus is a mythical figure most commonly associated with well-known custom to give gifts during Christmas. Santa reliable combination are St. Nicholas of Myra and elements of Nordic mythology with Christian mythology, while its modern appearance is believed to arise only in the 19th century. Christmas Day is celebrated not only for Christians, but also by the many people who are not adherents of this religion as one of the premier cultural festival secular (worldly). As a reward, and some other aspects of this festival involves the increase in economic activity between Christians and non Christians, the Christmas Day a major event for most players to the retail sector.

Santa claus


Santa Claus, or "Santa", is a figure in North American culture which developed from an amalgamation of Dutch Sinterklaas, English Father Christmas and other traditions of Christmas gift-bringers. Santa Claus is said to bring gifts to the homes of the good children during the late evening and overnight hours of Christmas Eve, December 24.

Santa Claus is generally depicted as a plump, jolly, white-bearded man wearing a red coat with white collar and cuffs, white-cuffed red trousers, and black leather belt and boots (images of him rarely have a beard with no moustache). This image became popular in the United States and Canada in the 19th century due to the significant influence of caricaturist and political cartoonist Thomas Nast. This image has been maintained and reinforced through song, radio, television, children's books and films.

The North American depiction of Santa Claus as it developed in the 19th and 20th century in turn influenced the modern perceptions of Father Christmas, Sinterklaas and Saint Nicholas in European culture.

According to a tradition that can be traced to the 1820s, Santa Claus at the North Pole, with a large number of magical elves, and at least eight or nine flying reindeer. Since the 20th century (popularized by the 1934 song Santa Claus Is Coming to Town), Santa Claus is also said to make a list of children throughout the world, categorizing them according to their behavior ("naughty" or "nice") and that he delivers presents, including toys, candy, and other gifts to all of the good boys and girls in the world, and sometimes coal to the naughty children, on the single night of Christmas Eve. He accomplishes this feat with the aid of the elves who make the toys in the workshop and the reindeer who pull his sleigh

 

santa claus

FIRECRACKERS
Firecrackers are set off as soon as the new year arrives. You can hear or see firecrackers everywhere and this usually lasts for a few hours. Some people will continue to play firecrackers occasionally through out the first half of the first month. Traditionally fireworks are the sign of getting rid of the old and welcoming the new. Fireworks are now banned in China, so this tradition is history.

RED PACKETS (ANGOPOW)
Giving Hongbao or red packets during Chinese new year is another tradition. A Red packet is simply a red envelope with money in it, which symbolizes luck and wealth. Red packets are typically handed out to younger generation by their parents, grand parents, relatives, and even close neighbors and friends.

Dragon and Lion Dancing

Dragon and Lion dancing is another tradition of Chinese New Year.
Dragon dance is a form of traditional dance and performance in Chinese culture. Like the lion dance it is most often seen in festive celebrations. Many Chinese people often use the term "Descendants of the Dragon as a sign of ethnic identity, as part of a trend started in the 1970s. Another derivation is from the descendants of Shennong, the legendary first king of the Chinese people who taught them agriculture, law and medicine, the foundations of civilization.

In the dance, a team of people carry the dragon — which is an image of the Chinese dragon — on poles. A dragon can be composed of up to 50 people. The dance team does mimic the supposed movements of this river spirit in a sinuous, undulating manner. The movements in a performance traditionally symbolise historical roles of dragons demonstrating power and dignity. The dragon dance is a highlight of Chinese New Year celebrations held worldwide in Chinatowns around the world.

Dragons are believed to bring good luck to people, which is reflected in their qualities that include great power, dignity, fertility (sex), wisdom and auspiciousness. The appearance of a dragon is both frightening and bold but it has a benevolent disposition, and so eventually became an emblem to represent imperial authority.

CHINESE COMUNITY CELEBRATION

CHINESE NEW YEAR

Chinese New Year starts with the New Moon on the first day of the new year and ends on the full moon 15 days later. The 15th day of the new year is called the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated at night with lantern displays and children carrying lanterns in a parade.

The Chinese calendar is based on a combination of lunar and solar movements. The lunar cycle is about 29.5 days. In order to "catch up" with the solar calendar the Chinese insert an extra month once every few years (seven years out of a 19-yearcycle). This is the same as adding an extra day on leap year. This is why, according to the solar calendar, the Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year.

New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are celebrated as a family affair, a time of reunion and thanksgiving. The celebration was traditionally highlighted with a religious ceremony given in honor of Heaven and Earth, the gods of the household and the family ancestors.

The sacrifice to the ancestors, the most vital of all the rituals, united the living members with those who had passed away. Departed relatives are remembered with great respect because they were responsible for laying the foundations for the fortune and glory of the family.

The presence of the ancestors is acknowledged on New Year's Eve with a dinner arranged for them at the family banquet table. The spirits of the ancestors, together with the living, celebrate the onset of the New Year as one great community. The communal feast called "surrounding the stove" or weilu. It symbolizes family unity and honors the past and present generations.

Tradisional New Year Food


 Probably more food is consumed during the New Year celebrations than any other time of the year. Vast amounts of traditional food is prepared for family and friends, as well as those close to us who have died.

On New Year's Day, the Chinese family will eat a vegetarian dish called jai. Although the various ingredients in jai are root vegetables or fibrous vegetables, many people attribute various superstitious aspects to them:

Other foods include a whole fish, to represent togetherness and abundance, and a chicken for prosperity. The chicken must be presented with a head, tail and feet to symbolize completeness. Noodles should be uncut, as they represent long life.

In south China, the favorite and most typical dishes were nian gao, sweet steamed glutinous rice pudding and zong zi (glutinous rice wrapped up in reed leaves), another popular delicacy.

In the north, steamed-wheat bread (man tou) and small meat dumplings were the preferred food. The tremendous amount of food prepared at this time was meant to symbolize abundance and wealth for the household.

  
Chinese New Year Decoration

Prior to New Year's Day, Chinese families decorate their living rooms with vases of pretty blossoms, platters of oranges and tangerines and a candy tray with eight varieties of dried sweet fruit. On walls and doors are poetic couplets, happy wishes written on red paper. These messages sound better than the typical fortune cookie messages. For instance, "May you enjoy continuous good health" and "May the Star of Happiness, the Star of Wealth and the Star of Longevity shine on you" are especially positive couplets.

Plants and Flower

Every traditional Chinese household should also have live blooming plants to symbolize rebirth and new growth. Flowers are believed to be symbolic of wealth and high positions in one's career. Lucky is the home with a plant that blooms on New Year's Day, for that foretells a year of prosperity. In more elaborate settings, plum blossoms just starting to bloom are arranged with bamboo and pine sprigs, the grouping symbolizing friends &endash; the plum blossom also signifies reliability and perseverance; the bamboo is known for its compatibility, its utility and its flexible stems for furniture and other articles;the evergreen pine evokes longevity and steadiness. Other highly prized flowers are the pussy willow,azalea, peony and water lily or narcissus.

The Chinese firmly believe that without flowers, there would be no formation of any fruits. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to have flowers and floral decorations.

They are the emblems of reawakening of nature, they are also intimately connected with superstition and with the wish for happiness during the ensuing year.

INDIAN COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

Diwali Meaning & Significance

Deepavali is a festival where people from all age groups participate. They give expression to their happiness by lighting earthen 'diyas' (lamps), decorating the houses, bursting firecrackers and inviting near and dear ones to their households for partaking in a sumptuous feast. The lighting of lamps is a way of paying obeisance to god for attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace, valor and fame.

It is one time in the whole year that children volunteer to leave their beds long before the day begins. In fact, the traditional oil bath at 3 a.m, is the only chore that stands between them and the pre-dawn adventures. They emerge, scrubbed clean to get into their festive attire, and light up little oil lamps, candles and scented sticks(agarbathis), the wherewithal for setting alight crackers and sparklers.

On Diwali night, little clay lamps are lit in Hindus homes, but now a days colored electric lamps are also used. What is the significance of lighting a lamp? There is a logical answer to this question. It is through the light that the beauty of this world is revealed or experienced. Most civilizations of the world recognize the importance of light as a gift of God. It has always been a symbol of whatever is positive in our world of experience.

To Hindus, darkness represents ignorance, and light is a metaphor for knowledge. Therefore, lighting a lamp symbolizes the destruction, through knowledge, of all negative forces- wickedness, violence, lust, anger, envy, greed, bigotry, fear, injustice, oppression and suffering, etc. Competition is stiff, and even the little girl in silk frocks and their finery are watching out for the best sparklers and flowerpots, the rockets and Vishnuchakras, which light-up the night sky like a thousand stars. Grown-ups are the soul of generosity. Festive bonhomie abounds. 

Time to celebrate
Gokul Ashtami is celebrated in the month of Bhadrapada which is between August and September. 

The festivity
People treat this day as one of very great rejoicing. There is recitation of the "Bhagavatam", singing and praying everywhere. Temples are decorated for the occasion, Kirtans are sung, bells are rung, the conch is blown, and Sanskrit hymns are recited in praise of Lord Krishna. At Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, special spiritual gatherings are organised at this time. Pilgrims from all over India attend these festive gatherings.

Deewali is a festival of joy, splendor, brightness and happiness. It is the festival of lights and is celebrated with great enthusiasm by all Indians all over the world. The uniqueness of this festival is its harmony of five varied philosophies, with each day to a special thought or ideal. People celebrate each of its five days of festivities with true understanding, it will uplift and enrich the lives.

Diwali is the festival of lights, crackers and sweets. Days before the festival, the females of the family start preparing traditional delicacies for the family and friends. On Diwali, there is a custom to exchange sweets to the friends and neighbors that is why Diwali can’t even be imagined without sweets and savories that are specially made at home. The list of Diwali special sweets is exhaustive. Gulab Jamun, Gajar Ka Halwa, Besan Ke Ladoo, Karanji and Jalebis are the most commonly made sweets on this occasion..
Different types of cakes are made on the day of Diwali

MALAY COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

RAMADAN What is Ramadan? Ramadan is the name of the one-month fasting period when Muslims fast for a period of almost 12 hours. They fast from dawn till sunset. It is a known fact that during the period of fasting, apart from eating and drinking Muslims are also forbidden from smoking and having sexual relations. Only the sick are excused from fasting during this month. Muslims are expected to avoid lying, breaking promise or cheating during the month of Ramadan. The primary purpose of fasting during Ramadan is to remind all Muslims of self-control and submitting to Allah, the holy one. Even young kids are taught to fast when they are young. Islam (Allah) has commanded fasting for Muslims. According to Islam, fasting is abstaining from hunger and thirst, and the things that invalidate the fast, from dawn until sunset. Islam has also given guidance to the followers of the foundation and condition for the fast. In addition, if you study about religious fasting, it is intended to train the desire of doing certain things. If one is able to meet the requirements and fast rule correctly (do not do things that are not canceled and the matter is invited memakruhkan or sin), as this is the desired fast and thank God as the true fast fast and this is what real success during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri. HARI RAYA PUASA Celebration for Hari Raya Puasa starts at least a month ahead, during the fasting period of Ramadan. Women start to sew beautiful curtains and buy new clothes for the family. Some families also do renovation for the house so that the house would look better when the guests visit it during the festival. After fulfilling their one-month of fasting, the Muslims would be joyful to celebrate Hari Raya Puasa. On the morning of the festival, the Muslims would wear their new clothes and go to the mosque to pray. They offer their thanks to God and after that they would ask for forgiveness from their elders. This is an important custom followed by the Muslims. They feel that the young ones asking forgiveness from their elders is very essential. On the day, they also visit their relatives and friends to celebrate the happy occasion. If you visit Muslims' homes on Hari Raya Puasa you can expect to taste a wide variety of delicious spicy dishes. Some favorite dishes that can be found in Muslims homes on this special occasion are ketupat, lontong, nasi padang and beef rendang. The Muslims also have the habit of giving packets of money to kids when they go visiting. The packets are usually be in green color and children often look forward to getting these money tokens on Hari Raya Puasa. Overall, Hari Raya Puasa is a delightful festival for the Muslims. There are also various of biscuit will be served to the guest during Hari Raya. HARI RAYA OPEN HOUSE As is the tradition here, every department will host a 'open house' during the month of Syawal. We held ours today! However, at the agency's level, the 'openhouse' for all staff & public has been scrapped off, due to 'langkah berjimat-cermat' so as to save our budget allocation for something else more important HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI Hari Raya Aidilfitri was an event better known as the festival celebrated by Muslims not only in Malaysia but all over the world. However, we will focus more on this celebration in Malaysia. In summary, this festival is celebrated after the month of Ramadan to mark the success of the Muslim fasting (holding desire) for a month. Let us examine more closely with the festival. INVENTORY & IMPLEMENTATION In Malaysia, Hari Raya Aidilfitri is celebrated with lively. Weeks before the festival transforms the atmosphere ahead of Eid preparations were being felt. The centers will provide shopping bargains and adorned with jewelry on a large scale. Raya songs will also be rotated on the radio and on television. The plans will show centers around Eid. Banks, schools and business premises will be closed for several days until a week after Eid RAYA BISCUITS

KETUPAT RAYA

RAYA OPEN HOUSE

HARI RAYA OPEN HOUSE

INTRODUCTION

    In Malaysia there are many races who have a celebration of the racial differences in the various races such as Malay, China, India and others.

Hari Raya Puasa is a very important occasion that is celebrated by Muslims all over the world. It is also known as the festival that marks the end of one month of fasting. The words ‘Hari Raya’ mean 'day of celebration.' Many mistake Hari Raya Puasa for the Muslim New Year but it is not. 
The Malaysian culture has been strongly influenced by the Malay, Chinese, Indian, and some indigenous tribal cultures. The Malay population is the largest in Malaysia and although they stereotypically are rural and traditional people, these days, they seem to be moving towards the urban areas, attracted to the wealth and jobs of the city. Although many differences between the three groups of people exist, there is still a sense of generosity and a feeling that most people get along. However, this does not mean that tension does not exist between the groups.

Freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Malaysian constitution, even though Islam is technically the state religion and around 60% of the population practice Islam, according to the 2000 Population and Housing Census. The next three most practiced religions are Buddhism, Christianity, and Hinduism. During religious festivals Malaysians of a certain religion often open their doors to Malaysians of other cultural and religious background, which helps to close the gap between the individual “groups” and creates a more tolerant atmosphere.

The traditional customs in Malaysia vary greatly between the ethnic groups; with a common belief in obedience and respect of elders and parents. From house to house and neighbor to neighbor the differences in beliefs and customs can be quite evident.