Which part of the body is considered sacred in Malaysia? The most beautiful Chinese temple in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)

Each people of the world has its own characteristics, which are absolutely normal and ordinary for them, but if a person of another nationality falls into their midst, he may be very surprised by the habits and traditions of the inhabitants of this country, because they will not coincide with his own ideas about life. We invite you to find out 10 national habits and characteristics of Malaysians who can call a woman a gorilla without wanting to offend her, and Malaysians also love to watch self-torture and do not distinguish between seasons.

They call each other "boss"

“Boss, check please. Boss, can I park here? Thanks boss." This treatment is informal and applies to service sector workers. In this way, Malaysians show respect for people who do not occupy the highest positions in the social hierarchy. The right hand raised up performs the same task. The gesture is actively used by motorists to greet security guards at parking lots and residential complexes.

They might call a woman a gorilla

“Me and my gorilla are having lunch at a restaurant,” an Indian man tells a friend on the phone. “What kind of gorilla do you think I am?!” - the foreigner sitting next to her is indignant. The girl does not understand that the residents of Malaysia communicate with each other in English, spoiled by local dialects - Manglish. This language includes many words from Malay, Chinese and Indian languages, the sound of which can be misleading. Thus, "gori" in Hindi means "white woman", and "la" is a universal ending for phrases, widely used not only in Malaysia, but also in Singapore.

They turn on the hazard lights in the rain

When caught in thick fog or downpour, Malaysian motorists unanimously turn on their hazard lights. In this way, drivers try to protect themselves from collisions and help others navigate the space. Finding themselves on the road alone, Malaysians break through the gray darkness blindly, relying on God and the accuracy of the navigator. Slow down or wait out the storm on the side of the road, as is done in more rational Western countries, is not accepted here, just like walking.

They don't know the seasons

When communicating with locals, be prepared to be asked to explain the difference between spring and autumn. Stuck in an endless summer, Malaysians confuse the seasons we are accustomed to and navigate time not according to the natural calendar, but according to the holiday calendar. Thus, they associate the Indian Deepavali (Diwali) with autumn, the Chinese New Year with spring, the Islamic Ramadan with summer, and the international New Year and Catholic Christmas, which is fashionable in Asia, with winter.

They love to watch self-torture

Thaipusam is an Indian day of thanksgiving and punishment dedicated to the god Murugan, celebrated with special pomp in the capital of Malaysia. Roads in Kuala Lumpur are closed for three days to allow believers to walk the “path of martyrs” from the Sri Mariamman Temple in the city center to the sacred Batu Caves on its outskirts. As the Hindus themselves explain, trials are necessary in order to thank God for a fulfilled desire. Torture includes shaving the head, wearing heavy structures, and piercing the body with sharp objects. Despite the drama of what is happening, a huge crowd comes to watch the festival: the participants in the procession fall into a trance, do not feel pain and do not lose blood.

They stand in traffic jams for food

If you're stuck in a traffic jam on a Sunday morning in Kuala Lumpur, it means there's a food festival going on somewhere nearby. Gluttony is the main hobby of Malaysians and the only reason that can get them out of the house on a day off. The passion for delicious food did not arise out of nowhere among the residents of Malaysia: the Chinese and Indians who “came in large numbers” brought with them the best recipes. Currently, Malaysia is considered the culinary Mecca of Asia and a paradise for vegetarians: meat and fish made from soy here are both tastier and cheaper than the originals.

They start conversations by talking about food.

They don't leave tips

In Malaysia, the service charge is 10% and is always included in the price of the restaurant bill, so no one leaves a tip here except for inattentive tourists. Tip boxes are found in coffee shops like Starbucks, but this is more a tribute to Western fashion, and not an attempt by waiters to earn extra money.

They are proud of the baba-nyons

The word "baba" in Malay means "man" and "nyonya" means "woman". “Men and women” in Malaysia are the descendants of the first Chinese settlers who found themselves on the peninsula back in the 10th century, before the arrival of Islam in the country. Chinese merchants then mixed with the locals and spread their customs. As a result, arose unique culture, whose representatives dress in Chinese, practice Buddhism, speak Malay and eat with five fingers instead of chopsticks. There are only 5,000 - 10,000 modern baba-nyons left. Most of them live in Melaka and are the main attraction of the south of the Malay Peninsula.

It is important for them to know what nationality you are

In Malaysia, when filling out official papers (say, a medical certificate), you must indicate your nationality and religion. It would seem, what difference does it make to a doctor what color your skin is and what church you go to? It turns out it's big. The Malaysian constitution gives many economic and social privileges to the “indigenous” ethnic groups - Muslim Malays and the small Negritos living in remote corners of the country. The racist amendment was originally passed in Malaysia for only 15 years in order to help the predominantly rural Malays get an education and a higher position in society. But 15 years have passed, 30, 50, Malays have occupied key government positions, and the discriminatory law has not yet been repealed. The Chinese and Indians are complaining, but who will hear them now?

Victor King.

Malaysia. Customs and etiquette.

Introduction.

Zahir Mosque in Alur Setar, Kedah

The Federation of Malaysia is one of the developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region. It is a principal member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), founded in 1967 as a regional trade group, and an independent forum member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). . Since Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country, it contributed to the founding of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. Malaysia's British colonial past led to its membership in the British Commonwealth. Malaysia is also a member of the five-party defense treaty with Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

Map of Malaysia

Over the course of thirty years, Malaysia's economy has undergone remarkable changes, moving from undeveloped agriculture and the export of primary products such as tin and rubber to modern manufacturing and service industries, including tourism. However, Malaysia is still an important exporter of agricultural products and raw materials such as rubber, palm oil, tin, pepper, coconuts, cocoa, timber, oil and gas.

Despite modern rhythm life and remarkable changes, the widespread use of English and echoes of the colonial past, Malaysia still remains true to its Asian cultural heritage. For foreign tourists and business travelers, the country is a delightful and complex mixture of different traditions, religions and customs. Indeed, most foreign visitors to Malaysia are busy sightseeing, trying to experience its living culture, take part in festivities and try Malaysian exotic dishes.

The book you hold in your hands will help you navigate your way through this labyrinth of cultures, avoiding the wrong things and sticking to the right ones. It not only provides direct guidance on general rules of behavior, but also promotes a better understanding of certain customs and etiquette, explaining the important values ​​and principles that underlie them.

Victor KingAutumn, 1997

1. Brief history.

Embankment in Malacca

The territories that make up the modern Federation of Malaysia lie on either side of the great sea route between India and China. For this reason, Malaysia, especially the peninsular part, has always been a center of maritime trade. At the beginning of the first millennium AD, small Malay trading states were located on the coasts of the modern Malay Peninsula, where merchants from India, the Middle East and China gathered. These ancient kingdoms, adopting varieties of Indian Hinduism and Buddhism as their religions, fell for a time into the subordination of larger states further south on the islands of Sumatra and Java, what is now Indonesia. This continued until the beginning of the second millennium AD, when Islam, brought to Southeast Asia by Arabs, Persians and Indians, began to strengthen its position.

At the beginning of the 15th century, an important event was the establishment of the Malay Sultanate of Malacca on the peninsula, which controlled the first spice market in the region. From this center, Islam and the Malay language and culture spread to other areas of the Indonesian archipelago. The oldest sources of this culture probably belong to the neighboring territories of southeastern Sumatra.

Spice market.

Malacca's strength and wealth came from its spice market and trade in other exotic goods with India, China and nearby regions, as well as its strategic location on the main trade route between India and China, which first attracted Europeans. In 1511, the Portuguese captured Malacca from Sultans Mahmud Shah and Ahmad Shah; the Danes took it from the Portuguese in 1641 after a six-month siege of the port; in 1824, the Danish authorities handed over Malacca to the British, and from then on the ports of Penang, or Pulau Pinang (1786), and Singapore (1819) on the coast of the Malay Peninsula became English entrepots on the trade route between the Indian possessions and China.

These three ports were administered jointly under the name of the Strait Colonies; from 1826 they were part of British India, then from 1867 their management was transferred to the Colonial Ministry. Subsequently, the British became involved in the interior and began to engage in tin mining, using mainly the labor of imported workers from southern China and rapidly expanding this field of activity. A little later, rubber plantations were organized here, and Tamil Indians worked on them.

Since 1874, Britain gradually concluded treaties with the Muslim Malay Sultans of various states of the peninsula. Four states (Perak, Selangor, Pahang and Negeri Sembilan) have established federal relations with the center of government in Kuala Lumpur since 1896. The remaining five states (Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Johor) were governed as separate states with British advisors assigned to them.

The colonial period was marked by a large influx of immigrant workers. In particular, the Chinese entered key sectors of the colonial economy, especially on the west coast of the federated states, while most Malays cultivated small plots of land while remaining loyal to their sultans. Traditional Malay society and culture still flourish in the less developed east coast states of Kelantan and Terengganu. Indian immigrants are employed not only on plantations, but also in trade, interest transactions(prohibited by Islam), police, army and other professions.

In Borneo, which is now eastern Malaysia, the British established a protectorate over three separate states in 1888. These were Sarawak, ruled by the "White Rajahs" - the Brooke family; North Borneo under the Chartered Company and the remnants of the once powerful Brunei Sultanate. These lands once belonged to clans of headhunters, although the coastal regions were inhabited mainly by various Muslim communities. As a result of British rule, Chinese and Indian immigrants also arrived on the shores of Borneo.

It was from these heterogeneous territories that Malaysia was formed. Nine Malay states, including Penang and Malacca, won their independence in 1957 to form the Federation of Malaya. Singapore remained a separately administered territory. The new country emerged during a period of turmoil, when Britain and its allies came face to face with the communists - mainly the Chinese guerrilla movement fighting for independence. The so-called “Malayan Emergency” began in 1948 and ended only in 1960.

Malaysian Federation.

The Federation of Malaysia came into being in 1963 when the Borneo states of Sarawak and Sabah (North Borneo), which were British colonies from 1946 to 1963, joined the peninsular lands. Thus, the Federation is divided into western and eastern parts, between which lies a significant expanse of the South China Sea. Singapore joined Malaysia but seceded two years later to form an independent republic. The Sultan of Brunei also refused to join the Federation, partly to retain control of his own country's oil wealth.

In the early years of Malaysia, Indonesian President Sukarno attempted to crush the young state in what was called a “confrontation”; he refused to recognize the Federation, which he considered a neo-colonial entity dependent on a continuous British military presence in the region. Sarawak and Sabah withstood the blows of Indonesian aggression. Subsequently, in the territories of Borneo until the early 70s there were problems with communist guerrilla groups, and in 1969 in Kuala Lumpur after the elections there was a major ethnic clash between the Malays and the Chinese. A declaration of emergency followed, and in 1970 the government introduced the New Economic Policy (NEP) to address the imbalance between the predominantly rural Malay population and urban Chinese.

The process of economic reorganization has achieved some success, indicating that the Malays have achieved a number of economic benefits and are increasingly moving towards the level of a modern urbanized state. For over 25 years now, the country has been prospering thanks to internal and external political stability and general harmony in interethnic relations.

Although the issue of overcoming economic inequality between the Malays and the Chinese is no longer so urgent, the basic principles of the NEP are adopted today, in the form of a new policy national development(National Development Policy - NDP). The goals of the NDP were formulated in the early 1990s in the text of the Second Major Perspective Plan, which emphasized the importance of supporting economic growth and entrepreneurship, stimulating labor productivity, and promoting industrial and technological development while maintaining equality between major ethnic groups.

2. Cauldron of cultures.

Variety in the market square

Malaysian society is heterogeneous; it is a multi-ethnic, multilingual and multicultural environment. Total number The population is estimated today at more than 25 million, 82% of the people live on the Malaysian Peninsula. The majority of the population (about 10.5 million) are Muslim Malays. However, there are also significant numbers of Chinese (approximately 5.3 million) and Indians (approximately 1.5 million). The Bornean territories are also home to pagan Dayak minorities, consisting of a large number of different ethnic groups, and aboriginal communities (Orang Asli), living mainly in the interior of Peninsular Malaysia; together they number more than a million people.

Malays and Dayaks are united in the Malaysian Constitution under the name "natives" ( bumiputera: literally, "sons of the soil"), they number less than 12 million and still enjoy certain constitutional privileges in areas such as employment, business and higher education. Malaysia also has a large number of immigrant workers from Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.

The multi-ethnicity of Malaysia is the most important factor in the economic and political life of the country. Since the coalition of ethnic political parties successfully established the country's independence, its core has been the United Malays national organization(United Malays National Organization - UMNO), from which all five of the country's prime ministers over the past forty years have emerged. Other important, albeit young, partners of the coalition are the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) and the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC). There are also a large number of small political parties, mainly representing different ethnic groups in the states of Sarawak and Sabah.

NOTE: Rotation on the throne

The federation consists of 13 states, nine of which are governed by hereditary Malay sultans. According to the form of government, the country is a democracy and a constitutional monarchy. The rotation of the monarch takes place every five years at the Conference of Rulers, during which the next head of state is chosen from among nine sultans.

Malaysian national identity is based on the core elements of indigenous Malay culture. The national language is Malay; The state religion is Islam, with freedom of religion maintained for resident Buddhists, Confucians/Taoists, Hindus, Sikhs and Christians.

Malays dominate the public sector and government structures such as the bureaucracy, police and army. Traditionally, the Malays lived in rural areas, maintaining small agricultural holdings, fishing and trading; many of them also served in the administrations of the Malay states. But in recently a rapidly growing Malay language emerged in the country middle class among educated urban Malays, it is mainly concentrated in the public sector.

The Chinese are mainly employed in private business, industry and professional activities. Their presence is highly visible in the central business districts and markets of cities and towns. They are also involved in commercial agriculture– for example, in growing vegetables for sale in a suburban area. Indians are concentrated mainly in the urban sector: in professional activities, in urban trade and services, in the police and the army. Some of them continue to work in rural areas on rubber plantations.

Malaysians of the Orang Asli and Dayak ethnic groups usually work on their farms in the interior regions of the country; some of them work on state plantations and in the logging industry. Young people are increasingly finding themselves in cities, joining government agencies or the private sector.

Social values.

Malaysians of all nationalities strictly observe family and public values. But for young people, with modernization and its physical and social mobility, these values ​​are gradually weakening. It is obvious that urban Malaysians find it more difficult to maintain contact with their families in rural areas, but nevertheless they do it in the best possible way.

Once you get to know Malaysians, you may feel that they are trying to pull you into their circle of family and friends by calling you by the common Malay titles of brother, sister, aunt, uncle. The feeling of love, expressed not only towards relatives, as well as adherence to social obligations associated with the family, is a characteristic feature of Malaysian society.

Malaysians are very family-oriented and take pride in their children and take a great interest in them. Little children here simply bathe in love, they are pampered and indulged in everything. Malaysians are sure to ask polite questions about your own family, especially if you have children. Malaysians have a strong sense of solidarity, which results in a tendency to subordinate personal interests to collective causes and needs. In such a situation it would be difficult to deviate from social norms. Therefore, the degree of conformity in Malaysia is higher than in Western countries, and cooperation and participation in public life are highly valued.

NOTE: Harmony and agreement

Social harmony is an important part of the local ethos. Many Malaysians firmly believe that society can be built on harmonious relationships and that the behavior, morals and spiritual state of each person influences others. This position emphasizes the importance of social harmony. Adequate time should be devoted to conferring with family, colleagues and friends, and to collective decision-making.

Malaysians love committee meetings, and their group ethic is also expressed in traditional Malay rural communities, where great importance mutual assistance ( Gotong Royong) and consent ( muafakat), which is achieved through meetings and discussions of important issues ( mesiuarat).

The Chinese environment also places great importance on the large patriarchal family, which is evident in family businesses based on kinship, loyalty and subordination, and the fact that everyone knows their place.

3. Celebrations and holidays.

Drum Festival in Kuala Lumpur

With great cultural diversity, Malaysians are blessed to celebrate a wide variety of religious occasions and public holidays. The Islamic, Chinese and Hindu calendars are based on lunar cycles, and therefore the dates of most Malaysian holidays are not fixed. States within the state also have their own holidays, usually events such as the birthday of the local sultan or ruler. To clarify holiday dates, guests of the country can contact the Malaysian tourism services (under the control of the national Tourism Promotion Council) or the state tourism service. Among the national holidays with fixed dates are:

King's Birthday – first Saturday(current) June

Malay and Indian Muslims.

Malay and Indian Muslims are guided by the five basic principles of Islam: profession, or testimony of faith in Allah and his Prophet; prayer five times a day; pay zakat, annual alms, or tithes; fasting, or Ramadan; pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime.

Hari Raya Puasa

The end of the fasting month of Ramadan, or Puasa in Malay, is called Hari Raya or Hari Raya Puasa, when believers offer special prayers in mosques and open the doors of their homes to family, friends and colleagues. Invitations are given verbally or sent on special postcards. This holiday is an opportunity to taste the best Malay and Indian dishes: curries, pickled vegetables and various cooked rice. Houses are usually decorated with lamps, flags and glittering garlands, and everyone wears their best clothes.

There is no special need for gifts, but it is worth presenting the owners with a few flowers, candied fruits or sweets and congratulating them on their birthday. Selamat HariRaya(peaceful festival of Hari Raya). The exact time of celebration is determined by the new moon at the end of the month of Ramadan; in 2006 this month fell in September–October. On the eve of Hari Raya and for the next couple of days, everyone stops working. The reunion of family and friends on this holiday leads to the fact that airports, railway stations, bus stations and roads are filled with people returning to their native land. Typically, transport services for these days, especially domestic flights on Malaysia Airlines, are reserved several months in advance, and hotels and inns may also be a problem.

It is worth remembering that for Muslims there is another holiday, Hari Raya - this Hari Raya Haji, which marks the end of the pilgrimage to Mecca, was celebrated in April in 1997 and 1998. In some states, such as Kelantan and Terengganu, this holiday is celebrated for two days.

Weddings

Malay weddings are colorful events and you should not hesitate to accept an invitation if you are invited to one. Usually the wedding is held in the bride's house, and the groom arrives there accompanied by a whole procession carrying wedding gifts, accompanied by singing and the accompaniment of tambourines. As an invited guest, you can present a cash gift in a wedding envelope or a useful household item, having done this in advance at the bride’s house, or discreetly present your gift to family members (usually parents) who will stand in front of the house on the wedding day and welcome guests.

Wedding customs may vary from region to region, and much depends on whether the wedding is taking place in the city or in the countryside. The bride and groom are usually dressed in richly decorated silk brocade outfits, while the bride is adorned with a variety of traditional Malay gold and silver ornaments.

For guests, the main element of the ceremony, in addition to food, is bersanding(“seating”, or enthronement). During this ceremony, the bride and groom sit side by side quietly and sedately, with their eyes downcast. They usually sit on decorated chairs or a raised platform, or on an ornate sofa or bed. Senior family members and friends approach them from the front one at a time to bless the couple.

Honorable guests are usually asked to participate in the ritual tepong-tawar, which is held first for the groom, then for the bride. A gold ring is placed on the groom's forehead, then a lump of rice flour or fragrant sandalwood paste is glued to this place, after which the hands and head are lightly sprinkled with flower petals and/or rice grains. Sometimes the couple is sprayed with aromatic water. The older women gathered around the couple will help you perform the ritual actions in the correct sequence and show you what to do with the ceremonial supplies.

After bersanding the bride and groom turn to each other and hand-feed each other pieces of sweetened glutinous rice. Then the wedding dinner begins. It can be organized like a regular buffet, in which case men and women usually mix and sit at the same table. At more traditional weddings, men and women sit in separate groups at prepared tables. Someone can escort you to your table. Before the end of the holiday, guests are usually given decorated hard-boiled eggs in small baskets ( Bunga Telur), it can also be candies or chocolate in the shape of an egg.

The Chinese are predominantly Buddhist and Taoist/Confucian in religion, but we could also characterize their belief system as a “folk religion,” focusing particularly on ancestor veneration. The Chinese have three main holidays: New Year, Hungry Ghost Festival and Mooncake Festival. Chinese festivals are often held in temples, where worshipers burn incense, place offerings in front of idols and on altars, and pray to local temple deities. It is also common for a Chinese home to have a family altar to place offerings and perform worship.

Chinese New Year

During Chinese New Year, which is usually celebrated in January or February and is not strictly a religious holiday, all business stops for a while. It is a national holiday that lasts two days in most states and includes street processions and a dragon dance. Families get together - and this is also an essential part of the celebration; Abundant festive dishes are prepared and frequent toasts are made. The next day, the doors of the houses remain open, alcoholic drinks, sweets and snacks are placed on the tables. Family altars are decorated with lots of flowers, incense, candles and blood oranges, and families visit Buddhist temples.

New Year is an auspicious time, and guests should not talk about things that could bring misfortune (illness, failure, death and, of course, politics). Here there is an opportunity to pay respects to elders, as well as enjoy fun, abundant food, drink and games, and young people also have fun bursting firecrackers.

On this holiday, children are usually given ang pow– envelopes made of red paper with monetary gifts (red color means good luck). If you are invited to a Chinese home, flowers, sweets or a bottle of brandy brought as a gift will be appreciated. A particularly valuable gift would be tangerines, which serve as a symbol of good luck.

Hungry Ghosts

The Hungry Ghost Festival is usually celebrated between July and August, when the spirits of death are said to roam the earth and demand food. Gifts of food are brought to them and paper money is burned for them. The spirits are also entertained with performances of Chinese opera. This time is also marked by abundant food and drink. The Hungry Ghost Festival is especially popular among the Chinese of Penang.

Mooncake Festival

The mooncake festival in September commemorates the appearance of the autumn moon and the defeat of the Mongol dynasty in Ancient China, it is celebrated by preparing and eating sumptuous “moon cakes.” The cakes are made from bean paste, lotus seeds and sometimes duck eggs. Multi-colored lanterns are lit, incense is burned, and family dinner begins. This time is considered favorable for important events such as weddings.

Weddings

If you are invited to a Chinese wedding, ang pow will be a good gift; Gifts in the form of useful household items are also welcome. You can discreetly give them to the part of the family welcoming guests. Typically, a foreign guest is invited only to the wedding banquet; you are unlikely to be invited to the wedding ceremony itself, which is a family affair. In reality, there are usually two banquets: the first banquet, a day or two before the wedding ceremony, is hosted by the bride's parents; the other, on the wedding day or the next day, is hosted by the groom's parents. Modern techniques usually held in a restaurant or hotel. According to custom, newlyweds and their parents move from table to table, inviting guests to drink Yum Seng, or "to the bottom."

Other Chinese holidays

Usually in April–May, the Chinese and other Buddhists celebrate Vesak. This is a national holiday in Malaysia and Singapore, more solemn, with prayers offered in temples, it celebrates the birth of Buddha, his enlightenment and death. The Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated between June and August and is associated with the death of a Chinese saint who chose to bring misfortune upon himself rather than accept bribery. Places like Penang host boat competitions. The Festival of the Nine Imperial Gods falls in September–October and is celebrated with Chinese opera performances, processions, and in some temples, fire ceremonies.

Indian Hindus.

Indian Hindus follow the oldest Indian texts, or Vedas, in their religion. They worship the Supreme Being, who has many forms and properties; the most famous are its aspects, or divine manifestations, such as Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu. Hindus believe in reincarnation and adhere to a certain or preordained order of things, which is embodied in social and religious terms in the caste system. Indian homes usually have a family altar.

Festival of Lights

Most famous holiday Indian Hindus celebrate Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, which usually falls between October and November. It is a time when family and friends come together to celebrate the triumph of good over evil in Hindu mythology and the victory of the god Rama over the evil king Ravana or the victory of Krishna over the evil Ashura. Indian streets and shops are brightly decorated at this time. The doors of the houses are open, the houses are also decorated with colored electric lanterns or burning oil lamps, flowers, fruits, and sometimes the floor is decorated with colored rice, beans and beans. This is the time when everything old is swept away and the new begins, with the hope of happiness and success. People take oil baths and wear their best clothes.

Thaipusam

The main public ceremony of Hindus is Thaipusam, which is usually held in January - February. It is dedicated to the god Subramaniam (Muruga), during which people offer thanks for answered prayers and glorify the virtues of courage, perseverance and patience. The most exciting part of the festival begins when the devotees who took the vow in the previous year seal it by carrying metal frames decorated with Hindu designs ( kavadi), attached to their body with hooks and steel knitting needles that penetrate the flesh. On kavadi containers with milk and sacred water are installed. The cheeks and tongue are also pierced with metal knitting needles. The participants fall into a trance, and the procession enters the temple or shrine with singing, chanting and libations accompanied by the beating of drums.

In Penang there are street processions and ceremonies at the Waterfall Temple; in Kuala Lumpur, the central event of the holiday is a visit to the magnificent Batu Caves, which are located 13 kilometers north of the city and in which a Hindu altar is installed.

Weddings

Indian weddings are similar in form to Malay weddings. They are usually held at the bride's home. The bride and groom also “seat” on a dais, and wedding guests shower them with yellow rice and sprinkle fragrant water. The wedding lunch can be served buffet style or in a more traditional way; During rural weddings, guests sit on the floor and are served curry on banana leaves. During the wedding ceremony, worshipers pray to the god Ganesha, then a coconut is taken and cracked with a knife (symbolizing prosperity, fertility and purity), the groom places a gold pendant around the bride's neck, and then the couple circles the sacred fire. Guests can present gifts in the form of money in gift envelopes or useful household items.

Dayak Christians and others.

Malaysia's Christian population consists of several Chinese communities and non-Malay indigenous peoples of the peninsula and East Malaysia who adhere to the Christian calendar, including celebrating Christmas. During Christian weddings and other receptions, guests are offered a buffet meal in a restaurant or at the home of the bride and groom's parents. The religious component of the wedding, of course, takes place in the church. During Christmas, the doors of houses in Christian communities are opened. Easter, one of the most important Christian holidays, is also celebrated here and is held at St. Peter's Church in Malacca.

Local holiday Hawaii Dayak in Sarawak it is celebrated in early June among many other holidays. During this time, huge quantities of rice beer, toddy and other alcoholic drinks are consumed, and dances and cultural events are held in local longhouses. This celebration marks the harvest of the rice harvest and the end of the agricultural year. In Sabah, a similar celebration is called the Kadazah Harvest Festival and falls in mid-May. Once again the main activities are dancing, eating and drinking, as well as buffalo races, games and competitions.

4. What to say.

Traditional houses with shutters

Bahasa Malaysia, which literally means Malaysian, is the official language of the country and the standardized form of Malay. With some changes, it is also the official language of neighboring Indonesia, Brunei and, surprisingly, Singapore. Malay was originally a language of commerce and is therefore richly interspersed with foreign borrowings from Arabic, Indian and Chinese, as well as Portuguese, Danish and English. It is relatively easy to master the basic concepts of the Malay language, and for a speaker of European languages ​​the issue of pronunciation will not be an issue.

Although the Malay language had its own alphabet, called Jawi and based on the Arabic script, written Malay for a long time was romanized; this way you can read Malay even if you don't understand it. In any case, English is almost universally spoken in Malaysia, serving as the language of business and tourism.

NOTE: Don't speak loudly!

Malaysians will not always easily understand a tourist who speaks to them in colloquial English quickly and with a strong accent. When talking to a person who frankly does not understand what you are talking about, even speaking loudly will not help. It is reasonable and polite to speak clearly, at a moderate speed, using understandable language.

Malaysia is a multicultural country, with many other languages ​​spoken, including Mandarin and several Chinese dialects, various Indian languages ​​including Tamil, and numerous indigenous languages ​​of Borneo. However, all Malaysians, one way or another, understand Malay. However, there are significant differences between individual local Malay dialects, which in turn differ from the standardized national language.

If you intend to connect with your hosts and let them know that you would like to learn more about them and their culture, then it would certainly be worth learning a few basic concepts Malay language, including common greetings and polite concepts of "please", "thank you", etc. It is best to purchase the latest English-Malay phrasebook for this purpose. The language is constantly evolving, new words come into it from the international environment, especially from the English-speaking business world - they are perceived and “Malaysized”, transcription and pronunciation may change.

Information about spelling and pronunciation.

Here's some spelling and pronunciation information: The Latin C in Malay is pronounced [h], so cat here is not the name of a furry domestic animal, but, pronounced as “chet”, means “paint”; cap turns out to be not a hat with a visor - the word “cap” means “trademark”. Regarding other consonants. G is always hard, for example in the word garam(salt) – as in English “good”. N is always soft and is usually not even pronounced as in the word hitam(black). Combination kh as firm as a word khusus(special). Combination ng in a word dengar(hear) soft, as in English “song”. Combination ngg in a word manga(mango) hard, as in English "tango". Combination sy in a word syarika(company) is pronounced like the English "sh" in "shutter". A r in a word baru(new) vibrates or is pronounced loudly, as in Spanish.

Malay has five vowels similar to English a, e, i, o, i; i, o, and– long, A- short and e in an unstressed position it can sound like [and] in English “put”, in a stressed position e sounds like French. There are also two diphthongs au(as in English "how") and ai(as in English "die").

Do not despair. If you speak English, you will definitely understand some Malay words, which luckily are close to their English equivalents. See: bas, teksi, stesyen, kaunter, pos, stem, telefon, doktor, ambulans, farmasi, aspirin, bank, polis, beg, filem, bir, minit. Let’s complicate the task and give a scattered translation of these words into English: police, minute, doctor, counter, bus, stamp, telephone, beer, bag/baggage, film, pharmacy, taxi, post, ambulance, bank, station. Good luck!

Basic words and expressions.

Knowing a few common greetings, words of gratitude and basic concepts will also be helpful.

Apa khabar? - How are you doing?

Khabar baik – I’m doing great.

Bagus - Okay.

Siapa nama kamu? - What is your name?

Nama saya... - My name is...

Darimana? - Where?

Dimana? - Where?

Kemana? - How to get?

Kanan - Right.

Kiri – Left.

Selamat datang – Welcome.

Selamat pagi - Good morning.

Selamat petang - Good afternoon.

Selamat malam - Good evening.

Selamat tidur - Good night.

Selamat jalan – Goodbye, bon voyage (said by the remaining person)

Selamat tinggal – Goodbye (said by the person leaving)

Sampai jumpa lagi - See you later.

Ma'af - I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

Minta ma'af - I beg you.

Hari ini - Today.

Besok - Tomorrow.

Semalam, kelmarin - Yesterday.

Tidak - No, no.

Makan - Yes.

Minum - To drink.

Saya mau – I would like to.

Beli – Buy.

Tidak mau - I don't want to.

Saya tidak mengerti – I don’t understand.

Terima kasih - Thank you.

Terima kasih banyak – Thank you very much.

Sila, mari – Please (comes at the beginning of the phrase)

Tolong – Please (request for help)

Minta – Please (request for something)

Laki-laki - Male.

Lelaki - Man.

Perempuan – Woman, feminine gender.

Orange – Personality.

Satu - One.

Tiga – Three.

Empat - Four.

Lima – Five.

Enam – Six.

Tujuh – Seven.

Lapan – Eight.

Sembilan - Nine.

Sepuluh - Ten.

Sebelas – Eleven.

Duapuluh - Twenty.

Seratus - One hundred.

Seribu - Thousand.

5. How to contact people.

Souvenir seller in local attire

In the Malay language there are many concepts for addressing “you”, among them: anda, saudara, kamu And engkau, but Malaysians generally avoid them, preferring to use titles and personal names. In informal situations and if people know each other, you can address the person by his first name; with small children or close friends you can use appeals kamu And engkau. You can address a person of approximately the same age and position as you using anda or saudara. A stranger usually uses the address anda.

However, it is preferable to use titles added to the name of the interlocutor. Malaysians are very polite people and always remember the importance of establishing and maintaining correct cultural relationships, which is directly expressed in forms of address. If you have a relationship with your interlocutor that cannot be called either official or friendly, then you can use related addresses; of these words are accepted for the older generation raksik(uncle) or max(aunt), or abang(elder brother) and kakak(elder sister). For the younger generation an appeal adik (younger brother or sister) probably fits best.

NOTE: Hierarchy and seniority

It is especially important to know about the professional and honorary titles that people have. Usually the most significant rank takes precedence. If someone has the title of doctor or professor, use that instead of "you" until you develop a closer relationship with that person. Malay society was and in many ways remains a traditional hierarchical structure, partly including immigrant communities.

Royal families, governors and federal authorities bestow awards and titles on merit. Members of the royal family and hereditary nobility also have titles, and sometimes a whole list of titles. Royal status is indicated by titles such as Sultan, Sultanah, Tengku or Tunku And Raja. Rulers most often bestow titles on prominent citizens Datuk(given by the federal government or state governor) and Dato(this title is bestowed by the royal family), for women there is an equivalent Datin, these titles are similar to the English "sir" or "lady". If a woman does not rightfully have any title, she can be addressed Tok Puan(wife Datuk/ Dato). Higher titles such as Tan Sri(for men), Puan Sri(for women) and Tun(for men), similar to the more elevated titles "sire" and "lady", as well as Tah Puan(wife Tun) must also be remembered and used.

In addition, there are Islamic addresses that are used by devout Malays, Indians and Arabs: Syed/ Sayyid(for men), Sharif(for men) and Sharifah(for women) - indicating a connection with the Prophet. A Muslim who has made a pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) is called Haji, and a Muslim woman - Hajjah. Other religious titles, e.g. Imam(leader of worshipers in the mosque), Khadi(notary), Mufti(official conducting a trial according to Sharia law), Ustaz(religious teacher).

Treat people correctly.

Malay personal names are mostly derived from Arabic ones, but the same name can be pronounced differently, the name Muhammad is an example of this. In Malay society, the personal name is the first name and should be used: for example, Rashid Abdullah or Rashid bin Abdullah means Rashid, son of Abdullah. This person should be contacted Encik(Mr.) Rashid, if he is young, and Tuan Rashid, if he is already aged. The usual polite address to a European is Tuan.

Wives in Malaysia go by their own names and do not usually take their husbands' names, but this tradition is fluid. In most cases, Naimah Talib (full form Naimah binte/binti Talib) means Naimah, daughter of Talib. You can contact her Puan(Mrs.) Hiring. However, there may be some confusion here because Naimah Talib may turn out to be Talib's wife. And to establish the real origin of the name, it is necessary to resort to careful questioning.

Young unmarried women are sometimes called Cik, but today this appeal is becoming old-fashioned. Puan can also be a polite way of addressing unmarried woman. Malays also usually use professional titles, for example, teachers - guru - are often called Cikgu, abbreviation for Encik guru.

Chinese names.

A foreigner should remember that among the Chinese, the surname comes before the personal name, and for example, Tan Chi Beng is Mr. Tan, and Chi Beng are his personal names. You can't call him Mr. Beng. If he is married, then his wife bears the name Mrs. Tan, but at the same time retains her own surname, Tai Ching Ling for example. You can address her as Madam Tai, Ching Ling - her personal names. Chinese Christians usually have a Christian name, a Chinese personal name and Chinese surname. Chinese names can change depending on the dialect, and Mr. Guo may turn out to be Mr. Wu or Ngu.

Indian names.

Most Indians do not have surnames as such. The person is called B. Shiva or Shiva B. (Mr. Shiva), where Shiva is a personal name. The letter B stands for Baskaran, his father's name. In official documents he may be listed as Shiva, son of Baskaran. His wife, Rajeswari, may be called Mrs. Shiva, but she also goes by her own name and can be addressed as Madam Rajeswari.

Some Indians practice Christianity and have a Christian personal name; some have surnames of Portuguese origin, such as Da Cunja, Rosario and Santa Maria.

NOTE: Sikh names

You always recognize a Sikh name: it consists of a gender-indicating address and a personal name. For men this is called Sain, for example Rajit Sain, for women it is Kaur, for example Amarjeet Kaur. A married woman has her own name and does not need to be addressed as Mrs. Sain, which would essentially be a tautology.

Many Dayaks profess Christianity and have Christian names, while also having personal names, for example Henry Gun. Ghana is not a surname, it is a name given at birth. You will also find that the Dayaks follow the example of the Malays and follow the personal name with the name of the father, for example Jayum Jawan - Jayum, son of Jawan. He should be addressed as "Jayum". Sometimes a Malay word is placed between the first and middle names anak, meaning "child": Jayum-anak-Jawan.

6. Important: what to do and what not to do.

Tribal carving, Kuching, East Malaysia

Clothing and appearance.

There is a simple but important rule: a foreigner, unless he is on the beach, playing sports or participating in a hiking trip, should always choose conservative outfits. In large cities and tourist areas, wearing too much revealing clothing on a woman may not attract noticeable attention from the public, but remember that Malaysia is a Muslim country, especially in small towns and rural areas where many more native Malays live, and it would be thoughtless wear immodest clothes here. Remember: if your clothes reveal too much of your body, it can embarrass your hosts, and possibly yourself.

In the humid tropics, where the daytime temperature reaches 22–32 °C, it is most convenient to wear light-colored cotton clothing. When going to a business meeting or official event, it is better for men to wear light suits or long-sleeve shirts and ties; shirt sleeves should not be rolled up. Dress code for formal events: suit and tie. For women, formal blouses and knee-length skirts or dresses with long sleeves are suitable; If possible, trousers should not be worn. When attending a special event, such as a wedding or reception, the recommended dress code is usually specified on the invitation.

For special evening wear, for a restaurant or a wedding dinner, men can wear batik-painted long-sleeve cotton shirts. In Malaysia they are usually painted very skillfully and brightly. If you plan to stay in the country for a while or visit it regularly, it would be worth purchasing a few of these shirts. They are very comfortable and multifunctional in the local tropical climate. Please remember that during Chinese New Year, neither man nor woman should wear an all-black outfit; black is associated with death. You should also not dress up in all black or all white for a Chinese wedding.

Visiting religious centers.

The main requirement when visiting religious centers such as temples or mosques is conservative clothing. In any case, there is a special dress code for these purposes. Shoes are removed before entering a mosque, a Hindu or Sikh temple, and usually a Chinese temple. In mosques where women are allowed to enter, their arms and legs must be covered with clothing. The same prescription applies to men.

Dressing style can serve as a visual expression of core cultural values. Despite the ethnic diversity, the common basic principles that guide the behavior of Malaysians are modesty, poise and calm composure, and this content should be reflected in the suit. Don't be fooled by the latest fashion trends with their miniskirts and tight jeans worn by the youth of cities and towns, clothes still carry behavioral codes that we follow, including in relationships between men and women.

In this regard, it is necessary to touch upon the topic of Islamic fundamentalism. Although the views of Muslim political organizations have had some influence on Malay society and culture, the Malaysian government maintains moderate Islamic influence in the interests of maintaining interracial harmony and an open economy. Proposals to establish an Islamic state were not accepted by him. However, since the 1980s there has been a marked shift towards stricter control of gender relations and sexual behavior, monitoring of dietary rules, attendance at mosques and the collection of Muslim benefits for the poor. However, in most cases, these changes have failed to stem the increasing involvement of women in the Malaysian economy and public life.

Gestures, touches and mannerisms.

NOTE: Use your thumb, not your index finger.

The way people move and behave, their facial expressions and gestures are partly determined by culture.

In Malaysia, it is considered very impolite to point at or entice someone towards you by using your index finger or snapping your fingers. An acceptable way is to point with the thumb, holding it lightly with the fingers pressed against the palm.

You can call a person to you by holding your hand out towards him, palm down, and moving your fingers together towards him. In short, you need to gesture or point with your whole hand and in an indirect manner.

When you are standing, you should not keep your hands on your hips. Again, restrained and orderly behavior is desirable, without impatience, swagger and annoying gestures. Casual touching in a public place between people of opposite sexes should be avoided, as should kissing, in public or not. When walking in a crowd, you need to keep your hands to yourself. However, you will often see young people of the same sex, boys or girls, walking in a public place holding hands. At formal gatherings, Malay men and women are allowed to sit in separate areas, and you will also be shown to your seat. Men are usually seated in the front reception room, and women in the inner room.

If you are sitting, you should not cross your legs as if pointing at someone with your toes, and you should not point the soles of your shoes at guests. It is best to keep your feet on the floor. If you have to sit on the floor in Malay style, do not cross your legs or stretch them out in front of you, and do not squat. You should try to sit with your legs tucked under you to the right or left, so that your feet do not point at the guests.

NOTE: Take off your shoes!

If you come to visit a Malaysian, you must remove your shoes before entering, unless you are dissuaded from doing so. Even if your host doesn't insist, the gesture will still be appreciated. Also remember that you should show respect first of all to older people; you should greet and introduce yourself first of all to them. Don't stand on the sidelines and expect them to come to you.

In Southeast Asia, the head is considered sacred or at least associated with the spiritual realm. This belief is especially strong among native communities. You should not touch someone else's head, you should not stroke small children's heads. If you want to show your affection to a small child, you can do this by patting him on the chin or stroking his cheek. In many groups, however, the head-touching ban seems to be losing force.

We will discuss table manners later, but it is important to remember that food offered to you should be taken with your right hand; left hand considered unclean. If you are making an informal visit to the host's home, you will usually be offered light snacks and drinks. It's best to try a little of each dish, and don't give up on food. But if you really don't want anything, you need to lightly touch the edge of the plate with your right hand and indicate that you have eaten enough.

Gifts and tips.

Questions about appropriate behavior and gifts for weddings or other celebrations to which you have received an invitation are discussed in the chapter “Celebrations and Holidays.” However, it is worth repeating that you should refrain from giving gifts such as jewelry, especially if you are running a business in the region. Small cash gifts work best. Flowers, fruit, sweets or cookies, or something special from your home country (perhaps porcelain, glassware or something useful around the house) will be appreciated.

Cash gifts are accepted at Chinese celebrations; a bottle of any alcoholic drink can also be given to a Chinese, but not to a Muslim or Hindu. Generally speaking, cutting tools, watches, and scarves are discouraged as gifts due to their unfavorable symbolic connotations in Asian cultures. Usually gifts are not unwrapped in the presence of other people or the giver himself.

It is not necessary to pay a tip in Malaysia, since usually in a hotel or restaurant 10% of the cost of services is added to the bill. The invoice is usually marked with ++, which means an additional 5% government tax. However, if you want to reward an employee for really good work, then an amount of up to 10% of the cost of services will be gratefully accepted. It is acceptable not to take change from the taxi or rickshaw driver, but again this is not necessary. Porters can be given a dollar per suitcase carried.

Greetings.

In Malaysia, there are various traditional forms for greeting each other. A strong male handshake with shaking of hands is not accepted here, as is patting on the shoulder or back, or grabbing hands and elbows. And no matter how much we want to express our love and friendly feelings, it is better to refrain from hugs and kisses altogether, especially at a wedding. City Malays, both men and women, will shake your hand habitually, but their handshake will be quite soft, more of a light touch than a squeeze of the hand. Sometimes women do not offer their hand to men, and then everyone gets by with a nod or a slight bow.

Among the Chinese Malays, it is customary to shake hands between people of the same sex and between a man and a woman. Indian men and women also generally follow the Western form of handshake.

NOTE: Learn salam

Malays may offer a traditional greeting - salam. To answer correctly, you need to extend both hands, joined together, and lightly touch the hands of your interlocutor. Then you take your hands back and lower them to your chest. By using both hands, you show honor and respect to, say, an older person or a person of higher status. Between equal salam is made using one right hand.

The Indian traditional greeting, which is used by both men and women, requires each person to cup their palms in a prayer gesture at chest level and bow their head slightly. A little practice and you will learn to do it correctly.

Malaysians smile a lot, just like all the peoples of Southeast Asia. And you should follow their example, especially when greeting and introducing yourself. But be careful: smiles can mean different things. They can express happiness, goodwill and friendliness, as well as embarrassment, awkwardness or, in certain circumstances, displeasure. More on this later.

7. Doing business.

Business center of Kuala Lumpur

Social and ethnic factors.

Malaysians' emphasis on group relationships, and especially trust and respect between family and community members, permeates the business world. It is not enough to simply know the significance of these values ​​along with the ethnic factor in the life of the country: a businessman starting a business in Malaysia must prepare to skillfully maneuver through the tortuous and often treacherous fairways of an alien cultural environment.

Given the importance of joint action, a foreign entrepreneur should reserve time to spend talking with a business partner in order to get to know him better. Malaysians want to know you as a person, they want to know about your character, your background and status. Malaysians like to do business with people they are similar to. Don't expect to quickly reach an agreement and enter into a contract.

NOTE: Face to face

Impatience and getting straight to the point are not welcome. There is no benefit in relying on fax, telephone and email. Direct face-to-face contacts are of great importance. Even when you already have a contract in hand, don't build too much on this fact. Malaysians seek first and foremost personal trust and loyalty on a long-term basis, and only secondarily are they interested in the legal accuracy of the document.

Social gatherings, dinners together, and sometimes invitations to visit (if the relationship is going well) are part of the process that results in trust, and therefore a necessary part of your business. These social events provide opportunities to learn more about the hierarchy and status of potential business partners: who makes decisions and who is accountable to them. Careful observation of this kind will allow you to develop appropriate etiquette and correctly approach the discussions and negotiations that await you.

Business cards and credentials.

A businessman visiting a country usually receives business cards, which are provided by the host country and contain brief information about the bearer, such as position and status. These cards are a vital part of business relationships in Malaysia. The card should be taken with the right hand, held in both hands, studied with respect and attention. You cannot snatch the card and immediately hide it in your pocket.

Given the emphasis placed on the personal dimension in business relationships, it is critical to examine the credentials of potential business partners and their companies. You can easily become the prey of unscrupulous individuals who can offer you contacts and other information for a certain price, promising first a carload of entertainment and gifts.

In general, giving gifts should be treated with great caution - bribes in Malaysia are criminally punishable and cursed in top level. Of course, your future business partners will expect you to offer entertainment and dining out as a reward for their hospitality, and then you will find their favor.

Do not be surprised that business transactions in Malaysia are often based on close personal, family and ethnic ties to and patronage of the local elite. Retired civil servants who had great influence, members of monarchical organizations or the nobility are often included in the senior management of large state and various private companies, or are their co-owners. In the private sector, in those companies where Chinese interest is firmly present, cross-pollination at the level of families, clans and dialect groups is also of great importance, and Chinese and Malay businessmen share positions in senior management.

Considering that the leading positions in government and administrations at all levels are occupied by the Malays, and in commerce by the Chinese, a businessman seeking to get a contract in the public sector or counting on the support of the authorities usually faces the need to negotiate with Malay bureaucrats (often very, very influential) . Although partial privatization of state-owned companies has taken place in Malaysia, it has not gone very far. The Malay elite still calls the shots. For civil servants, this means that national interest may outweigh the desire for bottom line profit, and political considerations may dampen commercial fervor. Keep in mind that you will have to follow accepted procedures and move your project forward step by step in a bureaucratic environment.

Malay businessmen can also be found in private sector talks as more Malays are encouraged by government calls to pursue careers in trade and industry. Some of them are partners with wealthy Chinese entrepreneurs. Despite this, the private sector, especially retail, financial transactions and construction, is still the domain of the Chinese, whose main motive is profit, and whose ethos is based on pragmatism and a flexible approach to the opportunities presented by the market.

In addition, a foreigner risks encountering Chinese businessmen from the mainland, who are much more aggressive and grasping, although these traits are to some extent softened by traditional Asian values ​​- politeness, devotion to family, community, the desire to maintain hierarchy and show respect.

Lose face.

Westerners are familiar with the expression “losing face.” In Malaysian society it has an even more immediate meaning. Loss of face is associated with identity, self-esteem and honor. You can lose face in your own eyes, but first of all, losing face means condemnation of a person by other members of society in the context of a strict “communal” ethos.

NOTE: Respect for emotions

Malaysians, especially the Malays, are most often guided by feelings and deep intuition. Usually this circumstance is not advertised, but it is important to take it into account during negotiations, since the Malays are more sensitive.

Westerners generally prefer open debate, in which they expect to win thanks to developed individual persuasion skills, as well as a certain degree of pressure. At the same time, human emotions are deliberately relegated to the background. Malaysians are familiar with this style of negotiation, but due to the constraints of their culture, they are more concerned about the social context of any interaction and maintaining harmony in society. A complex code of conduct thus becomes an ideal mechanism for resolving conflict situations and tensions.

Particular emphasis is placed on politeness, modesty and respect. You should not hurt anyone's feelings and you should never publicly question someone's reputation.

However, there is no need to be ashamed. One of the most commonly used words in the Malay language is malu– means “bashful”, “embarrassed”, “shy”. This can be called a person who is taken by surprise by a remark addressed to himself or who is simply embarrassed in front of the public. It is shame that is the direct road to loss of face. If someone feels ashamed under the gaze of others, it means that he is ashamed. For this reason, foreign visitors to Malaysia (whether business people or ordinary tourists) should avoid telling the truth face to face.

In the West, we are accustomed to placing great positive value on open and honest discussion. In Malaysia it is better to be tactful. Compromise here will always be preferred to confrontation. Malaysians pay increased attention to what their neighbors say about them, so a businessman in this country should avoid making comments, criticizing, and especially publicly humiliating his interlocutor, since these actions are considered the most rude and unreasonable.

Even when the guilt of the interlocutor is obvious, reproaching him in front of others and thereby revealing his mistakes, weaknesses and imperfections means showing one’s inability to behave in accordance with accepted norms. When a Malaysian makes a mistake, his own remorse is enough. Insults, open ridicule, demonstration of emotions such as anger or irritation - all this will only lead to the rude person losing his positive assessment in the eyes of others. The worst thing you can do is start arguing with a government official.

NOTE: Use an intermediary

A common way of showing dissatisfaction in Malaysia is to send a mediator in your place, thereby avoiding the risk of a direct conversation.

Considering all of the above, it is not so easy to determine the moment when one of the parties begins to “pressure” in negotiations. Usually, pressure is noticed only when it becomes obvious to everyone, that is, too late. Therefore, pay close attention to the slightest deviations in the manner of speech, facial expression and tone, which can tell a seasoned observer that something has gone wrong. The Malaysian smile is extremely insidious.

Smiles, nods and pauses.

Treating people's feelings with care, avoiding openly showing dissatisfaction with others and neglecting their opinions means following the most important aspects cultural code Malaysia. Here it is better to behave with restraint and modesty, rather than to show self-confidence and have a penchant for pomp. An extremely common word in the Malay language is ma'af(“sorry”), and the Malaysian smile is a surprisingly flexible tool for conveying a wide variety of meanings. It is also used to avoid direct confrontation. A smile and a nod of the head accompanied by the word “yes” are not always what they seem. Often they can be interpreted as an attempt to avoid open expression of disagreement, from obvious resistance: “I heard you,” “everything is clear to me,” and they do not always mean agreement with your words. Sometimes a smile does not even indicate the very fact of understanding what was heard, but a Malaysian will never tell you “I don’t understand what you are talking about” - this is impolite.

Smiling can mean embarrassment, disagreement, and even irritation. Malaysians do not like to be targeted with a direct question and know various tricks to avoid this. They change the conversation to another topic, engage in cheerful chatter and, of course, smile.

Also, be prepared for pauses in conversations. Malaysians are not uncomfortable with periods of silence that occur periodically in conversation. Such pauses give time to think and weigh the interlocutor’s position. In addition, they allow you to “cool down” the speakers if a difficult situation has arisen, and restore balance and a calm flow of negotiations.

How to behave.

Much of what has been said about relationships in Malaysian society is really just a reminder to the businessman (and also the tourist) to be a polite guest and respect the hosts, that is, the residents of Malaysia. But sometimes just knowing about it is not enough. If you imbue yourself with the cultural values ​​of the Malaysians, the “tuning” will go more smoothly and painlessly.

In short, much more attention is paid to the art and etiquette of human relations in Malaysia than in the West. Our love of individualism contrasts with the Malaysian concern for society as a whole. Don't be fooled if you think you've met something familiar here, such as cosmopolitan young Malaysians (of which there are a growing number) who speak fluent English and have been educated in Western countries. This advice should be especially heeded by Britons who may face reminders of their colonial past in Malaysia.

So, cultural differences deeply rooted in mentality are safely preserved, and most Malaysians are born and raised in an independent, rapidly changing and forward-looking country to which they are devoted with all their hearts.

NOTE: Use caution

This is especially true for the British: approach the discussion of topics that in one way or another affect the country’s past with extreme caution. And of course, all other foreigners should also not talk about what their countries were doing then, otherwise it will be a turnaround. Many Malaysians are well versed in history and the current political situation and do not need constant reminders.

In other words, no Malaysian should feel like a nuisance, especially when it comes to politics. The current importance of the ethnic factor in Malaysia and the problems it has caused in the past are such that a foreigner runs a serious risk when commenting on this area of ​​political and economic life. Malaysians sometimes like to talk about politics, but this does not mean that overseas guests have the right to do so.

Working and business hours.

Most often, offices in Malaysia open at 8:00 or 8:30 o'clock, close for lunch between 12:00 and 14:00 o'clock, and then continue to open until 16:00 or 17:00 o'clock. Main working days are from Monday to Friday. On Friday there are certain changes in the work schedule (see below) Saturday morning is also working time. For local organizations it lasts from 8:00 or 8:30 hours to 12:00, 12:30 or 12:45 hours. But some international companies only work five days a week. Banks are open on weekdays from 10:00 to 15:00, and on Saturdays from 9:30 to 11:30. But if you're shopping, rejoice: department stores are usually open from 10:00 to 22:00, and shops from 9:30 to 19:00 or longer.

Muslim prayers.

Remember that in Islamic countries such as Malaysia, when possible, Muslims perform namaz five times a day: before dawn, at noon, in the afternoon, after sunset and after dark. Large organizations have prayer rooms for daytime prayers. On Fridays, when Muslims gather in mosques, offices close at noon or a quarter of an hour after noon, and then resume work by 14:30–14:45 and remain open until 16:15. Some employees may stay late to finish the work they started. In several states - Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, Johor and Kedah - government agencies, banks and some shops follow the Muslim calendar: Friday is a day off and Sunday is the first day of the working week.

8. Eating.

Eating outdoors

In Malaysia, people often eat - out of hunger, for pleasure, or for both reasons. Common Malay greeting Sudah makan? means “Have you eaten yet?” For businesspeople, sharing a meal with potential business partners serves as a critical foundation for building relationships; An evening invitation to a restaurant or club is an integral part of life; work breakfasts and lunches are becoming widespread. The restaurant, club and hotel business in Malaysia is mainly run by the Chinese.

Coffee shops and food stalls.

The Malays value cordiality and good food and get a special pleasure when they see and know that you enjoy their food and hospitality. A common sight is a morning coffee shop ( kedai kopi), where colleagues and friends have breakfast before the start of the working day, listening to the latest news. Drinks include tea and, of course, coffee, fresh fruit drinks and a variety of bottled drinks, including beer in non-Muslim coffee shops.

Food stalls are also ubiquitous; they are located in coffee shops, shopping centers and right on the street. They usually offer light snacks: noodle dishes, soups, rice porridge, dumplings, fried pies with or without meat and curry. You can also count on a more complete menu. In the evening, one of the favorite family entertainments is visiting a variety of food outlets with a variety of counters. These stalls are usually clean and hygienic, but if you are visiting Malaysia for the first time, it would be prudent to err on the side of caution and order cooked food and hot or boiled drinks.

Chinese cuisine.

In a Chinese restaurant, you will need to know how to use chopsticks, and at a Chinese banquet it is almost impossible to avoid this procedure. But this is not that important, and if necessary, you can use a fork and spoon; these cutlery items are usually offered in Malay and Indian restaurants as well. Remember: when you hold the sticks, the bottom stick should be fixed, and the top one should remain movable. Do not try to poke chopsticks into pieces of food and try not to cross chopsticks.

The small Chinese soup spoon is almost universal; you can use it to eat almost any dish. If you want to get rid of inedible parts of the dish (bones, cartilage, fat, etc.), then a separate plate is usually provided for this purpose. If you cannot tolerate some foods, you can also put them on this plate. If you are not provided with such a plate, politely ask for one; it is necessary. If you need a second helping of your dish, ask for it. The host will be pleased with your appetite and that you liked the food, but at a banquet, in any case, you serve yourself.

Traditional Malay cuisine.

Malays or people from south India may suggest that you take food with your hands, or more precisely, with your right hand (the left hand for Malays and Hindus is for personal hygiene). An Indian host may not only offer you to eat with your hands, but also serve food on banana leaves - the main course and dessert.

You will definitely be given a cup of water or a special vessel filled with water ( kendi) for washing the right hand. Drink glasses will be located to your left. It would be a good idea to take napkins with you - a useful addition to a bowl of water. However, most often the guest is given a fork and a spoon, the spoon should be held in the right hand and the fork in the left.

In Malaysia, be prepared to get some weight. Evening meals here begin at approximately 7:30 p.m. The modest Chinese menu consists of five dishes, the banquet menu consists of seven, and the specific menu consists of nine, including Chinese tea. Among the alcoholic drinks popular here are beer, Scotch whiskey and brandy. Your host can select the most delicious morsels and use his chopsticks to place them on your plate - a sure sign that you are the guest of honor. Don't refuse! In any case, it is difficult to say “no” to the food in front of you in a cultural way. It's always better to try a piece.

Malay and Indian hosts are unlikely to offer you drinks stronger than tea; they usually serve light fruity drinks. You should also take note of Muslim dietary restrictions; this is a ban on eating pork (pork - haram, is prohibited) and the requirement that all other meat be halal(for this, the animal must be slaughtered in accordance with Muslim law). Chicken is usually a safe option. There are also Hindu and Sikh prohibitions against eating beef. Some Indians are vegetarian but consume dairy products; a small number of Indians are complete vegetarians. There are many good vegetarian restaurants in Malaysia.

During the Muslim month of fasting, you may only be invited to dinner after sunset. During Ramadan, businessmen should not expect any issues to be resolved during lunch. Muslims are prohibited from eating, drinking and smoking from sunrise to sunset. Business meetings are best held in the morning. Office opening hours and educational institutions are regulated: the meal break becomes shorter and the closing time comes earlier.

NOTE: Respect for Ramadan

It is not customary to eat or drink in the presence of a fasting person. It is also unreasonable to ask whether he is fasting or not.

The dark time of day is troublesome for women who prepare food at prescribed hours in the evening and early morning. At this time, it is better not to call a Muslim home without reason.

Malay food is usually spicier than Chinese food and is flavored with a variety of curry blends and other spices. In Malay cuisine, dishes are usually flavored with shrimp paste ( belachan), turmeric, cloves, anise, chili, pepper, cumin and fenugreek. Coconut cream is used in abundance. If you are invited to dinner, the host will usually order a variety of rice dishes, but will often ask about your preferences and attitude towards spices. For those who don't like chili, there is whole line delicious meat, fish dishes and side dishes.

Do not assume that one of the dishes brought is intended for you. The idea is to take small portions of each dish offered. Modern Westerners have developed quite a taste for curried foods, especially Indian ones, and a large selection of Indian dishes are available in Malaysia.

If you are invited to a slumber party, you do not have to pay or contribute to the payment. The owner pays the bills. You can always host a return party at a later date, but you should ask for advice on where to host your guests and make sure you have an idea of ​​their religion and what they eat and what they eat.

Rich variety.

If you love experimenting with food, hours of delight await you in Malaysia. These days, many foreigners are familiar with the Malay dish satay/satay– spit-roasted meat with peanut sauce; you just have to try nasi lemark– rice flavored with spicy sauce with chicken, peanuts, anchovies, half a boiled egg and cucumber slices; and nasi campur– rice with pieces of meat different varieties and sauce – and beef rendang– meat fried in chili sauce with spices and coconut milk until semi-dry.

Chinese culinary art is famous all over the world, and Malaysia has excellent Chinese restaurants that match highest standards. Or at least try Chinese noodles ( mee) in soup or Chinese snacks ( dim sum), such as the commonly offered dumplings, rolls, puff pastries stuffed with meat, shrimp and fish, and spiced ribs. Gourmets should try shark fins, turtle eggs, sea cucumber and bird's nests prepared according to recipes Nonya- the cuisine of the Chinese communities that have long lived in Penang and Malacca, miraculously uniting the traditions of Chinese and Malay cuisine. Be sure to try the Indian flatbreads (commonly called roti); They come in all shapes, sizes and patterns. Particularly popular are roti chanai with pea or lentil sauce.

9. Traveling around Malaysia.

It's nice to admire the views of the jungle from a boat

In general, the country has good transport infrastructure, but there are four main points that need to be taken into account when traveling.

Due to seasonal climate changes, it is better to travel different types V different times of the year. Although rainfall in Malaysia falls relatively evenly throughout the year, the northeast monsoon rains can be particularly heavy along the east coast of the peninsula from October–November to January–February and along the northeast coast of Borneo from October to April in Sarawak and well into February in Sabah. The areas listed may experience heavy rain, winds and flooding. Some hotels and guesthouses on the east coast may close during the monsoon, and boat stations are sometimes damaged.

Hiking.

Foreigners who are not accustomed to a humid tropical climate are not recommended to undertake long walks in cities and countryside, of course, until they have acclimatized. It all depends on your health, but you may feel that you can only do short walks around the city, sightseeing and shopping in stores, interrupted by minutes of relaxation in cool shopping centers, restaurants and taxis.

You should plan your route carefully, allowing plenty of time and allowing for a taxi or bus if you need to get out of the sun and stop walking. Fair-skinned people should consider hats, sunscreen and umbrellas; An umbrella protects from the sun and unexpected tropical downpours. Covering your shoulders and arms while walking around the city should not only be for reasons of modesty. For pedestrians in cities there are sidewalks, underground passages and bridges; Some Malaysian drivers, although not without self-control, can sometimes behave unpredictably on the roads.

While there are some risks to walking, cycling around Malaysia (motorized or not) is even more unwise unless you are very adventurous, don't mind traffic, are in excellent health and are fully protected from sun rays. If you are an ardent bicycle fan, you can hop into the cab of a pedicab; They are gradually disappearing from the streets of Malaysian cities, but are found in large numbers in places such as George Town in Penang. On cool evenings, you can leisurely observe the city life of Malaysia from the cab of a rickshaw.

Maps in Malaysia have not yet reached the required level of quality, but they continue to improve. Tourist street maps of cities and towns, especially Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Malacca, are usually quite useful, although often not as detailed. In the provinces, you sometimes have to rely on luck and your own sense of smell. There are good road maps, but the best ones are printed abroad.

Distances.

Malaysia is a relatively large country, its peninsular part is separated from the island part by the South China Sea. If you want to see as much of the country as possible during your trip, you'll probably use domestic flights, especially if your tour involves visiting the peninsula and Malaysian part of Borneo. And while Malaysia's transportation infrastructure is good compared to other Southeast Asian countries, getting around the country does take time. And if you want to travel to remote locations such as Sarawak or Sabah, be prepared for possible delays on roads or river routes.

Transport.

You have a choice. In cities, the best option is a taxi. They are usually equipped with air conditioning. In Peninsular Malaysia, taxis operate on a meter and charge a reasonable price for the service, but make sure the driver turns on the meter: tourists are easily fooled by taxi drivers who charge inflated prices. fixed rate. In Sarawak and Sabah, taxis operate without meters and are more expensive. Before your trip, agree on the fare with the driver. It would be wise to have a map and pen and paper with you. Although in most cases you will be able to find your way on your own, sometimes signs will help you avoid going in the wrong direction.

NOTE: Take a minibus

A remarkable innovation is minibus taxis designed for long distances. They usually stop near bus stations or other visible places, and the driver waits until four passengers are on board. The prices of minibus taxis are really quite reasonable. If you do not want to wait for the taxi to be fully loaded, you will have to pay a fee for the remaining seats. Usually such a trip is comfortable, but it all depends on the driver. Some drivers drive at terrifying speeds and blindly round corners.

You can also take air-conditioned shuttle buses at a very reasonable price. City buses are fun and you should try them out, although they can be crowded, noisy and uncomfortable. There are numerous minibuses in Kuala Lumpur, but due to their smaller size and better maneuverability than regular buses, drivers often have a vague idea of ​​the location of bus stops.

Cars for rent

If you want to drive yourself, there are many car rental agencies in Malaysia, both from international companies such as Avis and Hertz, as well as from local firms. You need to pay a special rate for a three-day trip or a weekend trip, and also conclude an insurance contract. Driving in Malaysia is on the left; The driver and passengers in the first seat must wear seat belts.

Unless you're going off the beaten track, especially in Sarawak and Sabah, a 4WD vehicle is a must. Peninsular Malaysia has a good road network with toll superhighways from the Thai border through Kuala Lumpur to Singapore. Near major urban and industrial centers, roads are usually busy and often clogged with slow-moving heavy vehicles. Avoid visiting Kuala Lumpur during morning and evening rush hours; traffic jams in the capital are legendary.

Railway

For the romantically inclined traveler, a trip by rail is simply recommended. The railway network is managed by the privatized national railway company Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM). The main railway line runs from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Butterworth (Penang) and further to the Thai border, with additional branches departing from it.

There are three types of passenger trains: express, air-conditioned, usually first and second class; limited express – slower, partly air-conditioned, usually third class; and on-demand, non-air-conditioned local trains (good if you have a few days to explore the countryside). Sabah also has a short section of railway that runs from Kota Kinabalu to Beaufort and Tenom; The western end of the trail runs along the breathtaking scenery of the Crocker Range.

Boats

In the Malaysian part of Borneo, away from road and air links, you are most likely to use a boat. With a fairly sparse road system, river transport is still a reliable option, especially if you are traveling within the island. There are regular boat stations on the main rivers with fairly low fares, offering musical entertainment and on-board video screenings. This is a good way to look at the jungle panorama and the longhouses of the local communities.

Aircraft

But if you just want to quickly get from one place to another and see the main attractions and vacation spots, then air travel is what you need. Probably under the wing of local Malaysia Airlines, which flies to all major cities and towns, and using small aircraft to some remote places as well. There are regular shuttle flights between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur on both Malaysian and Singapore Airlines. You can get great deals on Malaysia Airlines tickets, such as through the Discover Malaysia Pass program, provided you entered the country using the airline, as well as other discount tickets, such as for evening flights. Airlines usually operate well, but domestic flights are required to be confirmed at least 24 hours in advance (not uncommon, especially in holidays, a problem arises when more tickets are reserved than there are seats available), if confirmation is delayed, your reservation may be cancelled. Other international airlines also fly to different cities in Malaysia besides the capital: Penang, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.

Shopping and attractions.

Malaysia – perfect place for shopping. A wide variety of consumer goods are available here, at least in the main cities of the peninsula and especially in Kuala Lumpur. Sarawak and Sabah are more expensive compared to West Malaysia. If you are a lazy hunter for handicrafts, you should contact the standard regional craft center. There you will find a large selection of goods - but at tourist prices. If you're shopping everywhere, there are plenty of small shops selling the same items at discounted prices, which are usually more reasonable.

There are a number of well-known locally produced goods that visitors covet. These are Malaysian batiks, Selangor pewter, woven clothing from Sarawak and various products of the native population of Borneo - woven palm baskets, wooden carvings and beaded embroidery. And random shopping in Chinatown usually includes a variety of wicker baskets, containers and hats that make ideal souvenirs and gifts.

Information about Malaysia.

The territory of Malaysia is divided into two parts: peninsular West Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo (the states of Sarawak and Sabah), between which lies 640 kilometers of sea.

The total area of ​​Malaysia is 329,747 square kilometers, the population is about 20 million people. The majority of the population (about 82%) lives on the peninsula.

Main cities

The capital of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur, located in Western Malaysia. Other major cities on the peninsula include Penang, Johor and Malacca, while in East Malaysia there are cities such as Kuching in Sarawak and Kota Kinabalu in Sabah.

The territory of East Malaysia makes up about 60% of the country's total area and is a maximum of 1,070 kilometers in length and 250 kilometers in width. The coastal plain, ranging from 16 to 64 kilometers wide, is bordered by the mountain ranges of inland Borneo, along the central part of which runs the border between Malaysia and Indonesia, which occupies the southern part of the island. The mountainous peaks of Sabah, the most mountainous of East Malaysia's two states, reach heights ranging from 1,200 to 2,000 meters, while Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in Southeast Asia, rises to 4,101 meters.

West Malaysia covers an area approximately 800 kilometers long and 300 kilometers wide. A series of mountain ranges rise above its territory, pushing settlements, businesses and farmland to the edge of the western coast. The developed territories extend deep into the peninsula in places at distances of up to 80 kilometers.

Sarawak's cave systems and its underground corridors at Gunang Mulu, near Niah, are the largest in the world. Evidence of the earliest human habitation in Southeast Asia (a human skull over 35,000 years old) was discovered at the Niah limestone cave complex during excavations in the 1950s.

Religious celebrations, national holidays and festivals.

Chinese New Year – January or February

Nari Raya Puasa – January – February (end of Ramadan, three-day holiday)

Vesak Festival – April or May

Prophet's birthday - July or August

Mooncake Festival - around September

Deepavali – October/November

In the ten years up to 1997, the Malaysian economy averaged annual growth of more than 8%, establishing its position among the newly emerging industrialized countries poised to become developed.

Once the world's exporter of rubber and tin during the colonial period, Malaysia has become a world leader in the production of semiconductors, air conditioners and rubber gloves. A third of Malaysia's total domestic product now comes from manufacturing, and half of its exports include electronics and machinery. Malaysia has been producing cars since 1985, and its national car, the Proton, is now exported to many countries, including Britain.

Business hours are set differently in different states. Typically this time is from 8:00 to 12:45 hours in the morning and from 14:00 to 16:15 hours in the afternoon, from Monday to Friday and from 8:00 to 12:45 hours on Saturday.

Shops are usually open from 9:30 to 19:00, although some department stores may be open until 21:00–22:00.

Post offices are usually open from 8:00 to 17:00 from Monday to Friday and from 8:00 to 12:00 on Saturdays.

Public telephones are ubiquitous and accept coins and calling cards, although Malaysia has two separate telephone systems that accept different cards.

Climate

Malaysia has a tropical climate that is hot and humid all year round. Average level relative humidity is 85–90%. Average air temperatures differ little in different parts countries, the maximum temperature is approximately 32 °C, the minimum is 23 °C. The average number of rainy days per month is shown below.

Malaysian currency

The Malaysian currency is the ringgit (RM), also known as the Malaysian dollar, which is divided into 100 sen. Banknotes in circulation are in denominations of 1000 ringgit, 100 ringgit, 50 ringgit, 20 ringgit, 10 ringgit, 5 ringgit and 1 ringgit, as well as coins in denominations of 1 ringgit, 50 sen, 20 sen, 5 sen and 1 sen. Credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and major stores, and the banking system is good, with many having ATMs that accept major credit cards.

In large cities you can buy English-language newspapers, in particular The New Straits Times.

Malaysian words used in this book.

abang – older brother.

adik – younger brother, sister.

ambulance - ambulance.

anak – child (of someone)

anda – you (address)

ang pow - a red envelope with a cash gift.

apa? - What?

bahasa – language.

baik - good, normal.

banyak - a lot.

baru – new.

bas – bus.

batik – painted clothes.

belachan – shrimp/fish paste.

beli - buy.

bersanding - to sit solemnly on a dais.

besok - tomorrow.

bir - beer.

bumiputera – native, local.

bunga telur – decorated egg (wedding gift)

cap – label, stamp, seal.

cat – paint.

datang – to come.

dengar - to hear.

dim sum - Chinese snacks.

engkau – you (appeal)

garam – salt.

Gawai Dayak is a holiday.

gotong royong – mutual assistance/cooperation.

guru - teacher.

hai – pilgrimage.

halal – permitted (according to Muslim law)

haram – forbidden (according to Muslim law)

hari – day.

hari ini – today.

hitam – black.

imam - the head of those praying in a mosque.

jalan – path, road, journey.

kadhi - Muslim notary.

kakak – older sister.

kamu – you (address)

kanan - right.

Kavadi is a ritual burden among Hindus.

kedai kopi – coffee shop.

kelmarin – yesterday (before dark)

kendi – a vessel with water.

khusus – special.

kiri - left.

makan - there is.

mackik - aunt.

malam - night.

malu – ashamed, bashful.

mangga - mango.

mari - come, come here.

mau – to want, to desire.

mengerti – to understand.

mesyuarat - meeting.

mee - Chinese noodles.

minit - minute.

minum – to drink.

muafakat – consensus, agreement.

mufti is an official who conducts a trial according to Muslim law.

nama – name.

nasi – boiled rice.

Nasi campur is a mixed dish of rice and meat.

Nasi lemak is a spicy rice dish cooked in oil.

pagi - morning.

pakcik - uncle.

petang – day, evening.

rendang – dry meat curry with coconut milk.

roti - bread.

roti chanai is an Indian fried flatbread.

salam - peace be with you! (greetings)

satay/satay – spit-roasted meat.

saudara – you (address)

selamat – peaceful, safe, good.

semalam - yesterday.

sembilan – nine.

siapa? - Who?

stem – seal.

stesyen – station.

sudah – already.

syarikat – company.

tepong tawar - wedding blessing.

tidur - to sleep.

tinggal – departure, stay.

tolong – to help.

ustaz is a religious teacher among Muslims.

yum seng - Chinese bread.

zakat – collections for the benefit of the poor among Muslims.

Notes

Life style public group, the general orientation of a certain culture, the hierarchy of values ​​​​accepted in it. – Note ed.

It is the most Muslim country in the world. And the point here is not the number of the country’s population professing Islam (according to the latest census, Muslims make up about 62% of the population), but the fact that local legislation is entirely based on religion. Personally, I guess there could be two reasons for this.

Indian traders

Indonesia

If we talk about the most Muslim country in terms of percentage, it firmly ranks first in the world. The number of Muslims here is 90%. This is not the case in any country in the world. Naturally, Indonesian champions of Islam could not ignore neighboring Malaysia, and there were several reasons for this:

The Malays have never been homogeneous in terms of religion;

For some reason Buddhism did not get along here;

More and more people began to gravitate toward Islam (in the 12th century, about 10-12% of Malays converted to Islam);

Islam finally broke off relations with China, which in every possible way imposed its rules in the region.

In this regard, the soil for the introduction of Islam in Malaysia was extremely favorable. It was extremely easy for Indonesian emissaries to carry out their mission in this country. Therefore, today it is an Islamic state.

Thean Hou Temple is a Kuala Lumpur landmark that should be included in all Malaysia travel guides' "must see" list. Impressive Chinese-style roofs with dragons and phoenix birds, rich carvings and imposing columns, bright colors and traditional paper lanterns - there is a lot to see and photograph at Tian Hou Temple.

1 | Rules of conduct at Tian Hou Temple:

Tian Hou Temple was opened in 1989 and since then has been an important temple for the Chinese of Kuala Lumpur (who make up 43% of the city's population). Here, at Thean Hou Temple, local residents come to pray to their most revered goddesses and protectors.

There are no special requirements for clothing (everything is within the bounds of decency). Before entering the prayer hall (on the 3rd floor), you must take off your shoes. In church you need to speak as quietly as possible so as not to disturb those praying. You cannot take pictures with your back to the statues or copying their pose and gestures - this is a sign of disrespect.

2 | What and where is in the Tian Hou Temple:

Tian Hou temple is one of the largest Chinese temples in Malaysia and includes 6 levels:

1. at ground level you can have a snack and buy Chinese-style souvenirs - there are cafes, shops and souvenir shops,
2. hall for special events (mainly weddings),
3. office and educational center of the Chinese community of Kuala Lumpur,
4. the temple itself or prayer hall,
5. and 6. levels are Chinese-style turrets with bells on the ceiling and beautiful views of the city of Kuala Lumpur.

3 | Goddesses - Bodhisattvas in the Tian Hou Temple:

The prayer hall is easy to find by following the signs (go through the main entrance of the temple, turn left and go up the stairs). Inside the temple there are three altars with Chinese goddesses - Bodhisattvas:

• Guan Yin- the goddess of mercy, who is revered everywhere and her statue can be found in many Chinese and Buddhist temples around the world.
• Shui Wei Sheng Niang- goddess of the coastline and patroness of the coastal regions of China.
• Thean Hou- The Queen and Empress of Heaven is in the center of the temple, surrounded by smaller Buddhist and Taoist statues. Goddess Tian Hou is the patroness and protector of sailors and fishermen. The temple is dedicated to this goddess.

4 | Interesting details inside Thean Hou Temple:

• On entrance doors In the prayer hall, two assistants of the goddess Tian Hou are depicted - the gods of the sea and the guards of the entrance to the temple Qianli Yan and Shun Feng Er. If you are observant, you will see their figurines on the altar in front of the statue of the goddess Tian Hou.
• The richly decorated ceiling of the temple and the formidable Chinese dragons entwining the columns are incredibly beautiful.
• Oracles or divination sticks are found near the altars of the goddesses. Focusing on your question, you need to shake the glass with the chopsticks until one of the sticks is higher than all of them (or falls out of the glass). Then you need to get the divination from the box with the number corresponding to the number on the dropped stick. The prophecies are written in Chinese and English.

5 | Walk around Thean Hou Temple:

• After passing through the round arch to the right of the prayer hall, you can stroll through a small shady courtyard and see another statue of the goddess Guanyin.
• To the left of the temple is a corner with free books and CDs in English and Chinese.
• Steps down to the left of the prayer hall lead to a turtle pond.
• Closer to the temple gates there are statues of the 12 animals of the Chinese horoscope.
• Smiling old man with a staff Yue Lao - the god of marriage and love in Chinese mythology. He holds in his hands a book where it is written down who is destined to marry and with whom. This old man appears in the light of the moon and binds the future husband and wife with silk ribbons so that nothing and nothing can interfere with their marriage.
• Just before leaving the temple grounds, surrounded by fish ponds and a waterfall, there is a statue of the goddess of mercy Guanyin (in total there are three statues of this goddess in the Tian Hou Temple).

6 | How to get to Tian Hou Temple:

The most beautiful Chinese temple in Kuala Lumpur is open from 8 am to 10 pm. It is located far from tourist routes and is not accessible by any type of public transport.

The best option to get to the temple is a taxi. From KL Sentral station, an Uber taxi will cost approximately 6 MYR (Malaysian ringgit).

You can save money and walk from the metro: 2.4 km across the bridge over the Jalan Syed Putra highway and further downhill up the hill through residential areas. Considering that there is nothing interesting along the road and the area is almost deserted, I would not recommend walking.

The most convenient way to see the Tian Hou Temple and other attractions is with a Russian-speaking guide.

7 | Resources that save time and money:

• Find chip flights(including low-cost airlines) to Kuala Lumpur and other cities in Malaysia, the Aviasales service will help.
• Save money on a hotel- RoomGuru helps you compare prices and choose the best option.
• Tickets on trains, buses and ferries throughout Malaysia - .
• Reliable medical insurance while traveling in Asia -

It’s definitely not possible to hide from the main “postcard” view of Kuala Lumpur - the towers of the Petronas skyscraper: 88 floors are visible from everywhere. The new business center was generally built according to last word technology and design. At the same time, it’s very close, in Chinatown. Not only the Chinese live in this area, but also people from many other countries, especially many Indians. So a vibrant Asian mixture of street food, vendors, bars and a colorful crowd is constantly in full swing here.

Party all night in the clubs of Kuala Lumpur

Certainly, night life Kuala Lumpur cannot be compared with what is happening in, because Malaysia is still a Muslim country, even if it does not have the strictest morals. But lovers of night parties are unlikely to get lost: all discos and clubs are located on two streets - Ramlee and Chongkat Bukit.

Find out how to gracefully solve the problem of “non-rubbery”

The Malaysian authorities decided to deal with city overpopulation and traffic jams, perhaps the most reasonable, although in an unusual way. All administrative offices and government enterprises were moved 25 km from Kuala Lumpur to a purpose-built new city. Government institutions are not necessarily boring, so many people go to Putrajaya to look at the latest high-tech architectural solutions, and most importantly, at the extraordinary illumination of the city at night.

Visit a shocking holiday

The Hindu festival of Thaipusam is celebrated every year in late January - early February. A particularly colorful performance is staged in Kuala Lumpur, where a large Tamil diaspora lives. The holiday is associated with the god of war, so many elements of the show are Asian bloody and cruel. For example, the gifts that people bring to the sacred Batu Cave are attached directly to the body with iron hooks.

See a lot of interesting things in one place

The number of attractions on the 104 islands of the Langkawi archipelago is off the scale even on the scale of exotic Malaysia. Waterfalls, thermal lakes, colorful sands on the beaches, a reserve with wild animals - this is only part of the natural heritage of the islands. And thanks to people, a mountain cable car with an incredibly picturesque route and the largest aquarium appeared here.

Walk through the wild jungle

Many towns and villages in Malaysia offer jungle trekking tours. You can choose an easy walk, combine walking and river rafting, or spend several days in harsh hiking conditions, sleeping in the forest.

Relax on the island of Borneo

The coast of Borneo is considered one of the best places for beach holiday in Malaysia. By the way, the island is famous not only for its snow-white sand and warm, calm water. Many tourists go to the orangutan nursery or to Turtle Island, located near Borneo. You can spend a few days in the jungle or climb Mount Kinabalu, whose height is 4093 m.

See the underwater world of Sipadan Island

The tiny island of Sipadan is actually the tip of a huge extinct volcano. Together with several neighboring islands, this area is recognized by the Jacques-Yves Cousteau Society as one of the best diving and snorkeling areas in the world. All conditions are truly met: clear warm water, giant coral gardens and an incredible number of large and small marine inhabitants.

Get to know the history

The city of Malacca, or Melaka as it is often called, has perhaps the richest history of any Malaysian city and, of course, the richest architectural heritage. This settlement managed to try on the role of both the ceremonial capital of the Malayan-Chinese state, and a busy trading port, even before the advent of the city, and an outpost of Portuguese colonization in Asia, and then came under the rule of the Dutch and British.

Get a dose of excitement, fun and adrenaline

Malaysia has a giant entertainment city where there is concert halls, a casino and, most importantly, two themed areas with more than 50 attractions. The highlight of this place called "Genting Highlands" is its location at high altitude among mountain peaks and clouds - here all year round Fresh air and comfortable, cool weather.

Photo: thinkstockphotos.com, flickr.com