Ongzi's Stamps: Malaysian 2012 Festivals 2

Thursday, 27 September 2012

Malaysian 2012 Festivals 2

Malaysia is a country rich with a mix of races, religion and culture. Therefore, there are many festivals celebrated by Malaysians. Malaysian Festivals Series II is a continuation of the previous Malaysian Festivals Series I that was issued in 2006. This collection features the various festivities celebrated in Malaysia such as Hari Raya Aidiladha, Moon Cake Festival, Thaipusam, Pesta Kaul and Regatta Lepa. Some festivals are celebrated countrywide such as Hari Raya Aidiladha and Moon Cake Festival, whereas some are celebrated only in a particular state such as Pesta Kaul in Sarawak and Regatta Lepa in Sabah.

60sen · Moon Cake Festival

Moon cake festival, or more accurately Mid-Autumn Festival ( 中秋节 ) is celebrated by the Chinese on the 15^th day of the 8^th month in the Chinese Lunar Calendar.

It is an occasion for outdoor reunions among friends and family to eat moon cakes, appreciate the beauty of full moon, carrying lanterns, solving riddles etc.

60sen · Thaipusam

Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated by the Tamil community during the full moon of the Thai month in the Tamil Calendar. The festival commemorates the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel spear so he could vanquish the evil Soorapadman.

During Thaipusam, devotees will shave their heads and undertake a pilgrimage along a set route while carrying kavadi, and offering of milk in clay pot. Every year, Thaipusam celebration in Batu Cave’s Batu Malai Sri Murugan Temple attracts million of devotees.

60sen · Hari Raya Aidiladha

Hari Raya Aidiladha is a religious festival celebrated by the Muslim on the 10^th – 13^th of Zul al-Hiijah in the Islamic calendar. It honors the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his young first-born son Ismail as an act of submission to God’s command, and Ismail’s acceptance to being sacrificed.

The celebration is started with morning prayer at the mosque, then a cow/sheep/lamb is sacrificed and distributed to the poor. At the same time, pilgrims all over the world gather in Mecca to perform their Haj.

60sen · Regatta Lepa

Regatta Lepa is celebrated by the seafarer Bajau community of Sabah. The event was to honor the Bajau’s lepa, a traditional single-mast sailing boat built of red wood.

During the festival in Semporna, boats are decorated to win the most beautiful boat contest. The event also feature boat-tug-war, kayak race and boat race.

60sen · Pesta Kaul

Pesta Kaul is the Melanau annual cleansing festival celebrated in the month of Pengejin of the Melanau calendar, which is usually in March or early April, coinciding the end of monsoon season.

The celebration starts with offering of traditional food in seraheng basket which would be held on the beach of a river mouth. A giant swing, tibow, which is constructed from bamboo, for the young and brave to show off their skill. Pesta Kaul is celebrated every year in Mukah, Sarawak.

FDC · Christmas

Christmas is celebrated generally on 25^th of December, by Christians worldwide to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.

During the festival, Christian houses and churches are decorated with lights and Christmas trees. The celebration started with caroling and float procession on the Christmas eve. On the Christmas day, Christian of mostly Iban, Chinese, Indian and other indigenous people attend church service.