Christmas In Malaysia

The observance of the birth of Jesus Christ on Dec 25 is celebrated in Malaysia like everywhere else in the world; it is a time for family and friends; hope and rejoicing; love and understanding; and giving and forgiving.

Urban areas like the capital city of Kuala Lumpur and the greater Klang Valley come alive during the Yuletide, with bright colourful lights and decorations perking up homes and business premises, providing a festive atmosphere.

In many ways however, Christmas in Malaysia is a public holiday and is still very much a religious affair. Christmas starts off with Christmas mass (or church service), a decidedly more solemn affair compared to the Eve service.

As the big day looms closer, preparations are made: homes are decorated; Christmas trees, usually artificial, are put up; greeting cards are delivered; gifts are bought and placed under the tree; and festive songs are played over and over again. It is also a common sight to see choir groups and church communities, sometimes with a tanned Santa in tow, making their rounds, visiting orphanages, old folks homes, and hospital wards, among others.

Many Christian groups also stage shows and pageants, commonly depicting the Nativity. This usually takes place on the eve of Christmas.

Christmas Eve is a day that is as much anticipated as the big day itself. Traditionally, it is a time for families and loved ones to gather; marked by the Christmas dinner which is usually a noisy affair. In Malaysia, it is common to see people from different beliefs (among the non-Muslims) attending these church gatherings, to observe if not to soak in the festive spirit. These midnight services are characteristically very lively; people of different backgrounds and ethnicity (both locals and foreigners), all decked in their best, could be seen singing hymns and carols with much enthusiasm, led by a spirited choir. The celebration then continues till the wee hours of the morning. Typically, families would have late meals (known here as supper) at home, during which the colourful Christmas lights would be blinking, Christmas carols playing in the background, the kids would be running around excited, and gifts would change hands.

Of course, the festivities wouldn't be complete without food. Though you may still find the
traditional Western offerings of the season - from nuts and fruitcakes to apple pie and roast turkey - much of the menu is made up of local delicacies including such favourites as devil's curry and beef rendang. Though Christmas is marked as a one-day holiday, for many the celebrations do not end until after New Year's day, which is seen by many as simply an extension of Yuletide.

Penang Yummy Yummy Food

The 'Pearl of The Orient' Penang lies off Malaysia's northwest coast. The variety of its spicy Malay cuisine reflects the island's vibrant, multi cultural history having been influenced by long ago traders from China, Indonesia, India, Thailand and the Middle East.

Penang Chinese cuisine ranges from recipes and techniques brought from the Cantonese, Teochew, Hokkien, Hainanese, and Szechuan styles. From the Chinese kitchen comes Hokkien Mee, a wonderful noodle dish and Prawn Mee, Penang Fried Kway Teow and Penang Laksa.

The Penang Indian cuisine goes by two names generally-banana leaf rice and Nasi Kandar. Both are hot and savoury with rice being the main staple. Chicken, fish, mutton and prawns are the favourite compliments with at least two fried vegetables. Roti Canai is another popular local dish normally taken with lentil gravy and Mamak Mee, which is deep fried yellow noodles.

There's also Penang Nyonya food, which is a combination of Chinese, Malay and sometimes Thai. The latter making Penang’s variety of Nyonya food different from the Melakan or Singaporean versions. But above all else, Penangites love their desserts, save some space for them!

Negeri Sembilan Yummy Yummy Food

Negeri Sembilan is synonymous with the matrilineal Minangkabau culture, a people from Sumatra who settled in the area centuries ago, bringing their searingly hot and spicy dishes with them. Usually dishes are cooked with a generous portion of ‘cili padi’ (small hot chillies) being used as well as a base of rice.

The Minangkabau say that if they don't eat rice several times a day, they feel weak, their stomachs seem empty and their souls vacant. Air Jando Pulang is a cool and refreshing drink that derives its name from the tale of a wife welcoming home her husband with this sweet drink.

Local dishes reflect the distinctively Minangkabau influence, the favourites being Masak Lemak Lada Api, a stew cooked with chicken, catfish or beef with a generous sampling of onions, lemongrass, tumeric. Another popular dish called Lemang, a mixture of glutinous rice and coconut milk cooked over a low fire and spiced with lada api chilies, is typically eaten with Ghondang which is chicken or beef cooked with coconut and spiced with fresh local herbs and chilli paste.

(Source: www.migf.com)

Pahang Yummy Yummy Food

Naturally breathtaking and exotic, Pahang is known as Malaysia’s “Adventure Land” because of its many parks and highland attractions. It’s no wonder its food is so daring!

Delicacies found in the vast cuisine typical of Pahang are influenced by Malay and Chinese (particularly Cantonese, Hokkien, Szechuan) kitchens as well as both North and South Indian foods to make up a complex and interesting array of ingredients used in Pahang recipes. A must for those wishing to get a taste of Pahang is the local Satay-succulent morsels of meat skewered on palm leaf sticks and barbecued on open flame, eaten with piquant, spicy peanut-based gravy. Accompanying dishes are cucumber and onion slices, and Ketupat (rice boiled in woven palm cases).

Other dishes include Tempoyak Ikan Patin (fresh water fish with shrimp paste); Udang Galah Masak Lemang (Tiger prawns in coconut gravy in pitcher plant);

Periok Kerah Asam Rom (Pickled rubber seeds);

Mee Ca Long (noodles in fish soup);

Puding Di Raja (banana pudding with coconut milk);

Sambal Hitam, (anchovies with tiny starfruits) and Laksa Pahang-rice noodles in reddish chili gravy. Opor Pahang (dark gravy with chunks of chicken or beef) is also eaten regularly by the Pahang people and Nasi Kebuli- a heavily spiced rice with cardamom, fenugreek, cinnamon sticks and star anise infusions.

(Source: www.migf.com)

Johor Yummy Yummy Food

Johor, deemed “the Southern Gateway to Malaysia”, a land with great history and strong traditions, has always been heavily influenced by its privileged geographical position on the peninsula overlooking the trade routes of the East. Arab traders brought flavours and styles to the already complex and delicious dishes of the Malay archipelago creating cuisine that is truly unique. Due to their difficult and sometimes complicated recipes, some are rare and wonderful delights that can only be sampled in celebrations and state banquets. Arisa-a unique chicken dish- is one such example, normally served to royalty and the social elite of Johor at formal functions and celebrations.

Roti Kirai or Roti Jala is one of the signatures dishes of Johor cooking, a perforated bread. A special ladle with a five-hole perforation is used to make the bread look like a fish net and it’s usually eaten spicy with curry or sweet with 'serawa'. Serawa is made from a mixture of boiled coconut milk, brown sugar and pandan leaf.

Laksa Johor differentiates itself by the use of creamy coconut milk in its preparation. Other local favourites include Satay, Telur Pindang- eggs boiled together with spices, a favourite celebration and wedding food specialty- and Penganan Kacau Keledek, a coconut infused, egg and sugar-rich and labour intensive dessert previously reserved for royalty.

Malaysia Multiraces Festival

Festivals in Malaysia reflect the roots and cultures of the various races. They are usually very
exciting, colourful, and portray the spirit of unity and togetherness, despite the diversities of cultures and religions. In many ways these festivals have taken on a distinctly Malaysian flavour, as all races seem to participate in the festivities. Festivals are usually a time for family reunions and rejoicing with friends.

Moon Cake - Lantern Festival

This Chinese festival celebrates the victory of the Chinese in bringing about the demise of the Mongol overlords during the Yuan dynasty. It is associated with moon cakes, a pastry that is eaten during this period.

Known also as the mid-autumn festival which falls on the 15th day of the eighth Chinese Lunar
Calendar this is a historical festival rather than a religious one. It marks the successful rebellion
against the Mongol ruler dated back in 14th century China. Legend has indicated that the secret about a plot against the Mongolians was hidden inside the moon cake and the moon cake was distributed widely. Lanterns were used at night as signals from higher grounds and hilltop. Today, this festival is celebrated with moon cakes and lantern hanging on the house. The lantern and the moon cakes have attracted many children and adults attention. In certain areas, lantern processions and competitions are held.

Deepavali

Deepavali is also known as Diwali, or the Festival of Lights. Light is significant in Hinduism because it signifies goodness. So, during the Festival of Lights, 'deeps', or oil lamps are burned throughout the day and into the night to ward off darkness and evil. Diwali is celebrated on the last day of the last month of lunar calendar. There are various alleged origins attributed to this festival. Some hold that they celebrate the marriage of Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu. In Bengal, the festival is dedicated to the worship of Kali. It also commemorates that blessed day on which the triumphant Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. On this day also Sri Krishna killed the demon Narakasura.

In Malaysia, it is celebrated as the day the evil Narakasura was slain by Lord Krishna, the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. The mood starts a month beforehand with the preparation of the various arrays of Indian cookies such as murukku, ommapadi, chippi, atharasum, nei orundei and the wall breaker kallu orundei. Of course, there is the inevitable shopping and work to be done that requires everything to be new and clean, from curtains to clothes for family members. Normally on Deepavali eve, Padayai or offerings and prayers are made to ancestors and deceased family members. After this ceremony, the women are busy in the kitchen while the rest of the family does the house by hanging new curtains, placing new settee covers and the like to welcome Laxmi, the goddess of prosperity.

Getting up early before sunrise, oil is applied on heads and a bath is taken. This ritual oil bath is
known as "ganga-snanam" and is done to cleanse one of the impurities of the past year. Prayers areheld at the family altar, after which the family gathers before the elders to receive their blessings. Then the guests come by and food cooked is prepared "halal" or kosher so as to be served to Malay Muslims. Here again, the concept of open house is seen and an intermingling of friends of different races come by to greet a Happy Deepavali. It also is a great opportunity to dig in on some delicous Indian curry and cookies. Most Malaysian Indians are South Indian Hindus in origin. Here, even though Deepavali is known as the festival of lights, there are no oil lamps being lit. Rather it is usually done on another religious festival called Karthigal Villaku which comes about a month later.