The structure of the government, along with the racial balance of power caused by the idea of a social contract, has resulted in little incentive for the cultural assimilation of ethnic minorities in Malaya and Malaysia. Other cultures that heavily influenced that of Malaysia include Persian, Arabic, and British. Substantial influence exists from the Chinese and Indian cultures, dating back to when trade with those countries began in the area. The original culture of the area stemmed from its indigenous tribes, along with the Malays who moved there in ancient times. The society of Malaysia has been described as "Asia in miniature". Malaysia is a multi–ethnic, multicultural, and multilingual society, and the many ethnic groups in Malaysia maintain separate cultural identities. Government control over the media is strong, and most media outlets are related to the government in some way. This especially affected language only Malay texts are considered official cultural texts. The Malaysian government has taken the step of defining Malaysian Culture through the "1971 National Culture Policy", which defined what was considered official culture, basing it around Malay culture and integrating Islamic influences. Malaysia hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1998, the first Commonwealth Games where the torch passed through more countries than England and the host. Traditional sports are popular in Malaysia, while it has become a powerhouse in international sports such as badminton. Although festivals often stem from a specific ethnic background, they are celebrated by all people in Malaysia. Official holidays differ by state the most widespread one is Merdeka day which celebrates the independence of Malaya. Each major religious group has its major holy days declared as official holidays. Locally created Chinese and Indian literature appeared in the 19th century.Ĭuisine is often divided along ethnic lines, but some dishes exist which have mixed foods from different ethnicities. English literature remained restricted to the higher class until the arrival of the printing press. Much early Malaysian literature was based on Indian epics, which remained unchanged even as Malays converted to Islam this has expanded in recent decades. Malaysian music has a variety of origins, and is largely based around percussion instruments. Large modern structures have been built, including the tallest twin buildings in the world, the Petronas Twin Towers. Various influences can be seen in architecture, from individual cultures in Malaysia and from other countries.
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Performing arts and shadow puppet shows are popular, and often show Indian influences. Islamic taboos restricted artwork depicting humans until the mid-20th century.
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Traditional art was centred on fields such as carving, silversmithing, and weaving. The many different ethnicities that currently exist in Malaysia have their own unique and distinctive cultural identities, with some crossover.Īrts and music have a long tradition in Malaysia, with Malay art dating back to the Malay sultanates. Other cultures that heavily influenced that of Malaysia include Persian, Arabic, British. Chinese and Indian cultural influences made their mark when trade began with those countries, and increased with immigration to Malaysia. The first people to live in the area were indigenous tribes that still remain they were followed by the Malays, who moved there from mainland Asia in ancient times. The culture of Malaysia draws on the varied cultures of the different people of Malaysia.