A busy cultural calender

I think multiracial Malaysia may have one of the busiest cultural calendar of events in the world. Just a few days ago on 22 December the Malaysian Chinese community celebrated the Winter Solstice Festival. Isn't it strange to celebrate a winter festival in an equatorial climate? Although the ancestors of the Malaysian Chinese community had migrated from China to Malaysia 4, 3 or at the least 2 generations ago, the Winter Solstice festival continued to be observed in all earnestness. A must-have on the menu is glutinous rice balls stuffed with brown sugar and boiled in sweet ginger soup.

Glutinous rice balls for the Winter Solstice festival

Today is Christmas, a public holiday in Malaysia. Although the Malaysian population is majority Islam (about 60%), the Christmas atmosphere is alive everywhere. Malaysia is so culturally diverse, with many different ethnic groups, and religions. Every festival seems to be celebrated in a big way - whether it be Christmas, Hari Raya (Eid al-Fitr), Deepavali, Thaipusam, Chinese New Year, Wesak Day, Gawai Dayak, Tadau Kaamatan (Harvest Festivals),Mooncake Festival, ETC.

Christmas Eve in a popular eatery /shopping complex in my neighbourhood in Petaling_Jaya

Christmas Day lunch with relatives and friends in a Hotel in Subang_Jaya