Question from Ezekiel

Have you encountered any new traditions in Indonesia or Malaysia?


ANSWER: Well considering that Indonesia and Malaysia are both predominately Muslim, I wouldn't say it's traditions that I've encountered. Other than respecting the call to prayer, you also have to watch the way that you dress especially if you're near a mosque, like tank tops are usually frowned upon as well as shorts (both of which I own plenty of!). Living in Malaysia and having local friends I learned traditions in the Chinese and Indian groups. For instance, at Chinese New Year, it's good luck to wear red, and to give gifts in red envelopes or packaging. Never wear white to a Chinese holiday since it's the color of death for them, never give anything to anyone with your left hand since they assume that you wipe with it after going to the bathroom. Never leave your chopsticks sticking straight up out of your food, lay them next to your plate (they have a little do-hickey so that it doesn't touch the table), and never start eating until the eldest has started. There is also a salad served at Chinese New Year called Lo-Sang (see photo), before you eat it, everyone must dig their chopsticks in and toss it in the air (not too far, it has to land back on the plate so you can eat it), the higher you toss it, the greater your prosperity will be in the coming year. Also symbolizing good luck and fortune in the coming year are Chinese Dragon dances (see photo). These are held all over the city and the world for Chinese New Year and are very fun to watch.

My Indian friend is Sikh and she is descended from Punjab which is a north-western region of India. A lot of their traditions I did not get to witness since I never attended her temple for prayer. She would spend a lot of time there. I know Sikhism can be confused with Hinduism and they are very similar except Sikhs only believe in one God. She would dress the way I do but when she went to temple, she had to wear a punjabi suit (see photo), which are very beautiful and colorful. One tradition she taught me was that when it's someone birthday, they have to have a cake and they must feed a piece to each of their guests for good luck in the coming year.

Also, everywhere in Asia, it is tradition to take your shoes off at someone's house even if they say it's ok to leave them on.