Cross-Cultural Conversations

Observations by a Malaysian studying in Australia

We're not merry, we're Malaysians

Still recovering from the Chinese New Year celebration-fatigue? Well you better recover soon, because Aidiladha (1st Feb) is fast approaching. Thankfully for our overworked stomachs, this one's not too "festive" and involves only a limited range of food, as opposed to that other major Muslim festival, Aidilfitri, which involves every type of food.

Sacrificial lambs and cows make way for sacrifice of the mental and physical kind, as devout Hindus put on their kavadis for the Thaipusam ritual, a "long" 4 days after Aidiladha.

It's the middle of February 2004, and just when you think 'Celebrations' is having a dry spell, in comes Maal Hijrah, the Muslim New Year on the 22nd, a mere few days after my own birthday, which surprisingly is NOT celebrated as a public holiday. Could the authorities look into this please?

The month of March spells B-O-R-E-D-O-M for festival-freaks, while for the rest of us this is the chance to start a beautiful and relaxing thing called Normal Routine.

In April, while we in the Peninsula start fantasising of a permanent end to 'Celebrations', in East Malaysia, Sabahans and Sarawakians prepare to acknowledge Good Friday which falls on the 9th.

'Public Holiday' strikes back with a vengeance this coming May, as Labour Day (1st), Birthday of Prophet Muhammad (2nd) and Wesak Day for Buddhists (3rd) are celebrated 3 days in a row. As I reflect upon this startling finding, the word 'Festive' naturally comes to mind. My mistake, it's actually 'Crazy'.

Just to remind us never to underestimate the power of 'Merry-Making', the month of May ends with the Harvest Festival (30th, 31st) in Sabah, and June starts off with Dayak Day (1st, 2nd) for the indigenous people of Sarawak.

August ends with a big bang, as Malaysians celebrate National Day (31st) and are reminded of what a lucky and bountiful country this nation is (as if we didn't know that already) and how we should treat each other better (because some of us do need to be reminded of this).

The silence of September is merely a twisted prelude for the months to come, and those of us who enjoy peace and quiet should soak themselves in this tranquility to the fullest, because peace and quiet will not be around for a very, very long time.

It's mid-October and the holy month of Ramadan is upon us. It's a hectic month ahead as some of us fast, some of us skip, and most of us buy food from the Ramadan bazaar, whichever religion we belong to.

The big festive period starts off in November, with the Hindu festival Deepavali on the 11th. The month-long Aidilfitri begins on the 14th, and Open Houses are once again the order of the day, every Saturday and Sunday.

The celebratory year ends with Christmas on December 25, but of course we all know there is no real end to festivities, as we prepare for the New Year, and another year of continuous celebrations, once again.

posted by: Tembaga2 at 16:53 | link | comments (2) |

Comments:

#1  26 January 2004 - 17:10

 

the dates are quoted from my 2004 Planner

Tembaga2

#2  30 January 2004 - 12:09

 

Good Lord child, you're so funny! You're my fave blogger. Always good for a thoughtful read with a pinch of humour.

Anonymous

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