IN THIS ISSUE
Culture Shock:
Cultural Adjustments and Cross-Cultural Understanding.....
I am sure that many of you tend to feel lost in an alien environment. Thus it is advisable to understand the interplay between one’s own culture and that of the new environment. To know your own culture will give you a personal identity. Such deeply-embedded roots will also prevent you from experiencing a 'Re-entry Culture Shock' when you go back to your own environment.
You can also portray yourself better to new acquaintances within the new cultural milieu, and thus avoid misunderstandings or miscommunications during social interfaces. Knowing yourself and your own culture is not sufficient. You will also need to know other cultures as well. There are many ways of accomplishing this. You can surf the internet for information, read magazines, books or watch foreign films. You can approach resource centres or relevant departments or Ministries.
If you are at a University or Institution of Higher learning, you might want to approach the Student Affairs office or counsellors for advice. The university might also hold cultural shows or talks that you can attend. There might also be beneficial cultural items on television. Besides these, surf through some culture-specific sites that promote intercultural and cross cultural understanding. And being in Malaysia, you should try understanding the nuances of the local culture. Malaysia is a multiethnic and plural nation. The main ethnic constituents here are the Malays, Indians and Chinese and other groups such as the aborigines, Babas and Nyonyas, the Peranakans, the Sikhs, the Sabahans and Sarawakians.
The Malays themselves are sub-divided into many groups according to the states they hail from. Due to intermarriages, the Malays are no longer pure Malays. There are those with mixed bloodlines, and these are of predominantly of Indonesian ancestry. Others have a dash of Arab, Indian or Chinese blood due through intermarriages which dates back to the days when this land was a renowned trading post.
There are various Malay dialects and cultural etiquettes. The same goes for the other major ethnic groups such as the Chinese and the Indians. There are many Chinese sub-dialectical groups such as the Cantonese, Hokkiens and Hakkas to name a few. It is the same case for the Indians where intermarriages and intercultural encounters and integrations have physically and psychologically changed the profiling of Malaysians.
This column focuses on Malays and their culture. Their heritage includes a mix of Hindu and Islamic influences. Listed below are sample practices and etiquettes which Malays observe.
The Malays at home:
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They take off their shoes before entering homes
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They announce the 'Salam'
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They greet each other with a 'Salam'
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They acknowledge and respect the elderly
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They bring gifts for the host or hostess as a form of 'buah tangan'
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They excuse themselves from a group by spoken indication and also by bending their body and ushering the right hand in front to say, "Maafkan saya, tumpang lalu" or "Saya minta diri dulu".
When eating:
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They eat with their fingers of the right hand
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They do not talk when their mouths are full
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They compliment the host or hostess
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They compliment on the food
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All Malays are Muslims; thus they do not eat pork and are not allowed to come into contact or consume any derivatives of the animal
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Malays being Muslims do not drink alcoholic drinks
Their dress code:
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They are properly attired according to the occasion
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They wear modest and covered clothing
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Some Muslims ladies wear the 'Hijab' or the scarf to cover their hair and heads
Their mannerisms:
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They talk softly and in lowered voices
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The Malays compulsorily prays 5 times a day, but there are other special prayers as well
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They do not visit at inappropriate times such as prayer times, late into the nights or very early in the mornings
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Males and females who are not related by blood-ties, who have no kinship ties or are not married to each other are not allowed to be in close proximity
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When yawning, they close their mouth with their hand
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When sneezing, they will try to find a tissue or cloth to cover their mouth. They will try to sneeze in a direction where there are no persons around
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They need water to wash their hands after eating or when they go to the toilet
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They do not hold a person's gaze for too long a time
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For the ladies, they are seated demurely with their legs close together
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The ladies take tiny steps and move at a slow pace
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The ladies laugh softly
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They ask permission if they wish to interject in a conversation. They do not interject rudely and are well aware of 'turn-taking' in conversations
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The head is a part of their body that is to be honoured, and not to be touched or mishandled by others
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Sometimes they do not show obvious or direct criticism. They word their displeasure or criticism in a diplomatic manner
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The ladies do not talk in a loud voice
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Whispering in front of another is considered rude unless it is unavoidable such as not to disturb others
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They do not like rowdiness, uncouth acts and impoliteness
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The Malays are gentle people but will defend their rights and honour when intimidated
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Displeasing or hurting another person's feelings intentionally is considered rude, wrong and sinful
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The men go for Friday prayers
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They observe the Islamic way of living
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Patience is a virtue for Malays and Muslims
It would be a rewarding experience if other nationalities and ethnic groups spend their time and live the Malay way of life to understand their culture. This, in turn, could promote peace and understanding.
As indicated in the picture, a Nigerian national spent time with a Malay family and celebrated his Hari Raya together with them. The next issue will feature an article written by Samuel Godstime Chigbem, a UCSI University Nigerian student who enjoyed his first Hari Raya Aidil Fitri experience and hopes to share his thoughts and feelings with you.
We publish here an excerpt of his article:
Having participated in this Hari Raya, I can strongly say that most Malaysians are Islamic people, who are very devoted to their religion. They show great sense of belonging, sincerity, love and unity among themselves and to their God. I feel that Muslims are friendly to whoever comes their way during Hari Raya. I personally believe that staying in Malaysia is best during the period of Hari Raya.
When I arrived at Prof. Norfadzillah's sister’s house (Ros), her son, Andy and his cousins were preparing lemang. I joined them happily in the preparation. I understand that lemang is a native Malaysian food prepared with coconut milk and glutinous rice to be eaten with chicken rendang...........................
(to be continued)
These are some examples of Malay values and culture. There is a whole lot more to understand and observe. The culture and traditions of the other major ethnic groups will be featured in future publications in e-News.
Here are some useful links for you to further understand the Malaysian Malays' culture and world view:
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/malaysia.html ( 21.10.2008)
http://www.chinatownconnection.com/malaysia-history-culture.htm (21.10.2008)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malay_people (20.10.2008)
http://www.sabrizain.org/malaya/hindu2.htm (21.10.2008)
http://www.dalat.org/pdf/malaysianculture.pdf (20.10.2008)
http://www.malaysianfood.net/Nyonyafood.html (21.10.2008)
http://www.etourz.com/kelantan/rich_culture.htm (21.10.2008)
http://itclub.vs.moe.edu.sg/competition03/2003/southview/ (21.10.2008)
References for Intercultural items:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_competence (21.10.2008)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intercultural_communication (21.10.2008)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_diversity (21.10.2008)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-cultural (21.10.2008)
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2007/ga10630.doc.htm ( 21.10.2008)
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GENERAL ASSEMBLY OPENS TWO-DAY HIGH-LEVEL DIALOGUE ON INTERRELIGIOUS,
INTERCULTURAL UNDERSTANDING, COOPERATION FOR PEACE
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that, during his travels as United Nations chief, he had all too often found that people were longing for peace, but suffering from similar prejudices. “They all fear that which is different from them: the other ethnicity, the other skin colour, the other cultural or linguistic tradition and, above all, the other religion.”
Moreover, the reality of increased world travel and lighting-fast satellite transmissions was feeding intercultural and interreligious tensions, as well as a growing alienation among vast segments of the world population. There was an urgent need to address that worrying trend. “We need to build bridges and engage in sustained and constructive intercultural dialogue, one that stresses shared values and shared aspirations,” he said.
“It is time to promote the idea that diversity is a virtue, not a threat,” he said, adding that it was also time to stress that our common humanity was greater -– far greater –- than our outward differences. “In short, it is time -– indeed, it is past time -– for a constructive and committed dialogue; a dialogue amongst individuals, amongst communities and between nations.”
Note from the Editor-in-Chief
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UCSI Gives From The Heart
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A Testament of A Mother's Love
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Special Column: Culture Shock
Cultural Adjustment & Cross-Cultural Understanding
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