Festival: Chinese New Year and Tangy Pineapple Tart Essay

Malaysia is a land known of its multicultural and the diversity of religions. As this country is made up of different races, the people of Malaysia inevitably celebrates a variety of festivals. To the Chinese, the most important festival is the Chinese New Year, which usually falls on the month of January or February. Before the festival, throngs of shoppers head for shops in search of mandarin oranges, new year tit bits, new clothes, plants like bamboos, money plants or little kumquat trees that bear the prosperous meaning. Some families even get together to bake and prepare the new year delicacies like the yummy and tangy pineapple tart, almond cookies and so on. The Chinese also make it a point to settle all debts before the new year begins as it symbolizes bad luck to bring forward debts from the past. On the eve of the new year, family members get together for a special reunion dinner. Younger unmarried members of the families receive red packets containing money when they go around visiting friends and relatives. The Muslims celebrate Hari Raya Puasa which marks the end of the Muslim month of fasting. The festival begins with prayers at the mosque early in the morning. Some people visit the cemetery to pray for family members who have departed. After that, there are visits to relative’s house and feasts. The most popular dish during this time will be the ketupat which is made from rice, chicken or beef rendang, a dish that is cooked with a lot of coconut milk. Green packets containing money will also be distributed during this festival. Deepavali or the festival of lights is celebrated by the Hindus. Homes of Hindus are decorated with little colorful lamps which symbolize the victory of good over evil. On this auspicious day, Hindus dress in new clothes will go to the temple in the morning to pray. Then, they either visit their friends or invite friends over to their homes for feast. These festivals of different races have opened up chances for Malaysians to know and understand the cultures of others. This situation will definitely build up the spirit of unity among the people in this fortunate land.