The People of Malaysia
Malaysia 🇲🇾 is an intriguing country with multiple ethnic groups living together: Malays (58%), Chinese (23%), Indians (7%), as well as indigenous groups (10%).
Astonishingly, despite having lived on the same territory for two thousand years, the ethnic groups successfully retain their cultural specifics. Take areas such as China Town and Little India in Kuala Lumpur as easily accessible examples of that.
The spirit of two millennia can be sensed even in Kuala Lumpur, which was established just 150 years ago, near the tin mines.
The official religion of Malaysia 🇲🇾 is Islam, although it is typical for the Chinese population to identify as Buddhist and for the Indian population to practice Hinduism.
Here, it's not rare to see a Muslim family consisting of a husband and 2-4 wives, covered from head to toe; right next to them – a Chinese woman in cut-off shorts (although many women dress modestly, covering their knees and shoulders, with hair uncovered) and a couple of gay Malaysians, dressed according to the latest fashion.
The Indian holiday Deepavali is celebrated by the whole country, combining it with the Muslim New Year. Malaysian women drive buses, and everyone eats Chinese-Indian-Malaysian cooking, which spreads a specific spicy smell over all the streets.
Malaysians are generally friendly and of open disposition. Though, naturally, an indifference and a fake smile are also present, especially in crowded touristic areas.
In places that tourists visit rarely, Malaysians may often look at strangers with deep curiosity, greet them warmly, and even start chatting right away.
