Malaysian Culture

Malaysia culture is rich and diverse. Malaysia is home to an estimated 28 million people and Malaysian culture is a unique blend of many different cultures which is not surprising given that the country has a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-lingual society and which has always been a point of pride for its people.


The Malays account for 50% of Malaysia’s population, making them the largest community. Many Malay families in Malaysia can trace their ancestry to the Javanese, Bugis and Minang sailors who came from Indonesia. It is widely believed that the Malays were the first civilization to take root in Malaysia, and excluding the pockets of indigenous tribes, were the first settlers to make the Malay Peninsula their home. It is for this reason that they are given a privileged status in the form of Bumiputra (literal translation – son of earth) rights, which are stipulated in the Constitution.

As per Malaysia’s Constitution, Malays are Muslims. They often converse in Malay or Bahasa Melayu (literal translation – Malay language) and play a dominant role in the country’s politics. Social norms among the Malays tend to emphasize being warm, easy-going and well-mannered.
The Malays have numerous contributions to the Malaysian culture, among them Malaysian Batik (patterned cloth), wayang kulit (shadow puppet theatre), wau bulan flying (traditional kite flying), dikir barat (traditional group singing with instrumental accompaniment) and silat (a stylized martial art).
Some of the music and art of the Malays might seem to share some similarities to those of other countries in the region, most notably Indonesia, but there are distinct differences which make them uniquely Malaysian.


Malaysia also has a vibrant Chinese population, and at 26% of the Malaysian population, is the country’s second largest community. It was the continuous presence of the Chinese traders during the Malacca Sultanate in the 14th and 15th centuries and the immigration of Chinese laborers and miners during the British Rule that has left a strong and lasting presence in Malaysia.
Like the Indians, the Chinese have adapted to the way of life in Malaysia culture, getting along very well with the melting-pot of cultures and ethnicities, while still keeping very strong bonds with their parent culture. Most Chinese families in Malaysia still have relations or other ties with China and some even take a pilgrimage back to trace their roots.


Most Chinese in Malaysia are Buddhists or Taoists, with many also having converted to Christianity. Historically being merchants, they have a very strong entrepreneurship spirit and have come to play a dominant role in the country’s business and commerce industry. A large proportion of the Chinese in Malaysia can speak fluent Mandarin or the other Chinese dialects, although some of the younger generation might not how to read or write. There is an increasing number of the present generation who speak English as a first language.


Indians make up about 8% of Malaysia’s population and have been in Malaysia since some 2000 years ago. When Malacca became a center of power and learning in the region in the 15th century, Indian traders were part and parcel of everyday life. Similar to the Chinese, the Indian community in Malaysia was boosted during colonial times when the British brought in Indian laborers to work in various plantations.






Although not as numerous as the Malays or Chinese, the contributions they have made to country are substantial and are an integral part of the Malaysia culture landscape. 


Source: http://www.gomalaysiamap.com/malaysia-culture.html