TEFL Reviews

TEFL Reviews

Festivals in Malaysia

TEFL Trainees / ESL Teachers can enjoy Malaysian Festivals

The beautiful landscape of Malaysia is not the only point of attraction of this country. The different and colorful festivals which entertain the people throughout the year also attract the tourists. The TESOL trainees would surely get the golden opportunity to enjoy any one of the festivals in Malaysia that are given below –

Nine Emperor Gods Festival – the date of this festival follows the dates of Chinese lunar calendar and it is held on the ninth day of the ninth moon according to Chinese lunar calendar. The devotees pay visit in the temples during this festival and the charm and feelings of carnival float in the air throughout these nine days. During this festival devotees prefer vegetarian meal and indulge themselves in chanting prayers all the day and night and that is why some of them spend these nine days inside the temple. Locally The Nine Emperors Gods are called ‘Jieu Hwang Yeh’. People believe that the Nine Deities belong to the stars in heaven which is dominated by the Queen of Heaven – ‘Thien Hou’. At the end of the festival people can involve themselves in a spectacular display of the cultural practice through the procession which is held to send the Nine Emperor Gods to their home.

Gawai Dayak – this festival is celebrated in between rice harvesting and the plantation of new one and it takes place for 7 days long. This vibrant festival emphasis on the bountiful harvest and it is regarded as the resting and fun making time for the people before beginning of a new season. During this festival the country is bustle with ceaseless laughter, traditional dancing and music and merry making for the one week.

Penang International Dragon Boat Festival – this festival took place in 1956 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Municipality of George Town. After a gap of 10 long years the race was started once again as a part of Pesta Pulau Pinang. In the earlier days only the teams from Government Department were allowed to take part in the race but in 1979 the scenario was changed because two teams from other countries like Singapore and Hong Kong took part in the race adding an international flavor to it. Gradually a number of countries like Thailand, Japan, USA, Australia, New Zealand and many others have become a part of it.

Chinese New Year – it is one of the major festivals for the Chinese people in Malaysia. It is observed with lot of pomp and grandeur and the young and unmarried people are offered Ang Pows or red packets of money. People not only decorate their houses, they adorn themselves too with new cloths and red color is given importance as it stands for ‘luck’ and ‘prosperity’.

Wesak Day – Wesak Day is celebrated by Buddhists in May which observes Buddha’s birthday, enlightenment and achievement of Nirvana. ‘Bathing the Buddha’ is one of the important parts of this festival. The devotees start the celebration at early in the morning with prayers on the Eight Percept and a procession is held at night with candles.