Malaysian Festivals: Hari Raya, Deepavali, Gawai and More
The main festivals celebrated in Malaysia, their Malay names and greetings, and what they show about the country's diversity.
Malaysia is home to many communities, and its calendar is full of celebrations. Knowing the names and greetings is a lovely way to join in.
Major festivals
| Festival | Malay name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Eid al-Fitr | Hari Raya Aidilfitri | ends the fasting month of Ramadan |
| Eid al-Adha | Hari Raya Aidiladha (Hari Raya Haji) | festival of sacrifice |
| Chinese New Year | Tahun Baru Cina | celebrated by the Chinese community |
| Deepavali | Deepavali | festival of lights |
| Christmas | Krismas | celebrated by Christians |
| Harvest festival, Sabah | Pesta Kaamatan | in May |
| Harvest festival, Sarawak | Hari Gawai | on 1 June |
National days
- Hari Kebangsaan (National Day) is on 31 August, marking independence in 1957.
- Hari Malaysia (Malaysia Day) is on 16 September, marking the formation of Malaysia in 1963.
Open houses
A famous Malaysian custom is the rumah terbuka ("open house"), where families invite friends and neighbours of all communities to visit, eat and celebrate during festivals.
Greetings
- Selamat Hari Raya! — Happy Hari Raya.
- Maaf zahir dan batin. — Forgive me, outwardly and inwardly (said at Hari Raya).
- Selamat Tahun Baru Cina! — Happy Chinese New Year.
- Selamat Deepavali! — Happy Deepavali.
- Selamat Hari Krismas! — Merry Christmas.
- Selamat Hari Gawai! — Happy Gawai.
- Selamat Hari Kebangsaan! — Happy National Day.
Festival words
| Malay | Meaning |
|---|---|
| perayaan | celebration |
| kuih | traditional cakes and snacks |
| duit raya | money gifts given at Hari Raya |
| ketupat | rice cooked in woven palm leaves |
| lampu | lamp, light |
What festivals show
Malaysians often celebrate each other's festivals, sharing food and greetings. A simple "Selamat" plus the festival name is always welcome.
Tips
- Learn "Selamat" plus the festival.
- Accept an invitation to an open house.
- Use the dictionary to check words.
English Malay Dictionary
Offline English–Malay (Bahasa Melayu) dictionary with clear, accurate meanings
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