What holiday is it?

Kampung House at Amcorp Mall

Kampung House at KLCC

Baju Kurung - for Hari Raya wear?

In Malaysia we celebrate, or at least observe, many holidays including ones that we can't name. In August the "Festive Season," which includes Ramadan and Hari Raya, began; it contains items similar to Christmas' decorations and cookies, Easter's new clothes, and Thanksgiving's treks home. Instead of Santa's cottage there are village (kampung) houses, which may serve as a stage for entertainments.  Stacks of Ramadan cookies, which will morph into Devali and Christmas cookies, and displays of baju kurung are everywhere. The first day of Hari Raya is 30 August and Kuala Lumpur will be deserted.

This year the Hungry Ghosts Festival occurred in the middle of Ramadan. During the Chinese 7th Lunar month the gates of hell open and the spirits are released to roam for a month. Alters are found along the roadside with offerings of food and burning joss sticks, paper money, and representations of other possessions that one might need in the after life.

Making an offering - Feast of the Hungry Ghosts

During month there are Chinese operas and other street performances. We went to one at Central Market - okay for picture taking.

An unknown holiday? Wednesday was a public holiday associated with the revelation of the Koran. Not much was said about its significance, but it was the biggest shopping day of the year.

Still to come Merdeka Day (Independence Day) on 31 August. Malaysian flags everywhere, but celebrating may be overwhelmed by Hari Raya. The Merdeka Day celebration has been moved to Freedom Day (date the east Malaysia states of Sabah and Sawarak joined the federation).  The Chinese harvest festival moon cakes started appearing two weeks ago and will be sold until mid-September. We can split one into 12 tiny slices! Then there is Deepavali, Christmas, and Chinese New Year. By next Ramadan we will need to fast!