What is Open House

8/2/2019 What is Open House

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What is open house??

A practice known as "open house" ( rumah terbuka ) is common during the festivities, especially duringHari Raya Aidilfitri, Deepavali, Chinese New Year, and Christmas in Malaysia. Open house means thatall well-wishers are received and that everyone, regardless of background, is invited to attend. Openhouses are normally held at the home of the host and foods are prepared by the host. There are also

open houses held at larger public venues, especially when hosted by government agencies orcorporations.

Malaysia Festival

New Year's Day National Public Holiday, New Year's Eve is usually celebrated by the urban communitythroughout Malaysia with lively parties to usher in the New Year. Sporting events,

competitions, exhibitions and cultural performances by Malaysian multi-ethnic groups areheld in various states.Hari Raya Aidil Fitri

Hari Raya Puasa (or Hari Raya Aidil Fitri) falls on the first day of the Muslim month of Syawal and is a joyous occasions for all Muslims. It marks the successful observance of fasting throughout the month of Ramadhan - the tenth month of the Muslim calendar. Thecelebration is determined by sighting of the new moon. After morning prayers at themosque followed by visits to the graves of family members to pay respects. Open house orinvitation for relatives and friends to come to their house is practiced.Plenty of traditional Malay delicacies are served during this festive season. All mosques, homes, government and commercial buildings are decorated and brightly lit tomark the significant day. The celebrations last a month and although the first three days arecelebrated on a grander scale, many Muslims have 'open houses' throughout the month toaccommodate friends.Thaipusam Celebrated throughout Malaysia by Hindus on the tenth month of the Hindu calendar.Thaipusam is a day for penance and atonement among the Hindu community. Thaipusam anextraordinary festival, is a time for Hindu devotees to fulfil a vow they have made to theLord Muruga, also known as Lord Subramaniam. The displays of devotion are varied, but themost devout prepare themselves for weeks, purifying themselves by fasting and celibacy. In astate of religious ecstasy thousands of devotees carrying body piercing kavadis - a framedecorated with colored papers, tinsels, fresh flowers, and fruits as a form of penance, makesthis a once in lifetime experience. They move through the town up the hill to the Batu Caveswith the kadavis tearing at their flesh, but without appearing to feel any pain. Kuala Lumpuris probably the best place to enjoy this colourful and fascinating festival as this is where LordMuruga's jeweled chariot is led through the streets of the city, culminating at the Batu Cavesin Selangor.

Chinese New YearCelebrated over a periods of 15 days, beginning from the first day of the Chinese Lunar


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Calendar, this is the most important annual festival for the Chinese community. Legend hasit, Buddha invited all animals to his kingdom but only 12 attended. With that, Buddhadedicated a year to each animal. Each year is named after one of the 12 animals according tothe Chinese Zodiac. Chinese New Year is celebrated with abundance of delicacies , familygatherings, & the lighting of fire crackers at midnight. Ang Pows or red packets of money

are given to the young and unmarried while the symbol of prosperity, the mandarin orange, isliberally consumed. It is the time when offerings are made to appease the spirits and gods.Houses are cleaned and decorated to prepare for the big day. New clothes are bought andworn. The colour red is vividly displayed in many homes for 'prosperity' and 'luck'. Thetraditional dragon and lion dances herald in the new year, amidst banging gongs anddrums. Penang is the place to celebrate the Chinese New Year.Wesak Day Celebrated around May by Buddhists which marks three momentous events in Buddha's life -his birthday, enlightenment, and achievement of Nirvana. As the most important figure inBuddhism his life is celebrated and revered. The celebration begins at dawn when devoteesgathering at the temples to meditate on the Eight Precepts. The 'Bathing the

Buddha' ceremony is often part of Wesak celebrations. Water is poured over the shoulders of the Buddha and serves as a reminder to purify the mind from evil. Donations, giving food tothe needy, offerings of incense, joss sticks releasing of pigeons, ordination of monks and theoffering of flowers normally takes place in temples. Chanting and praying are an importantpart of the Wesak celebration. At night, processions of floats parade the streets, withdevotees carrying candles.Tadau Kaamatan (Harvest Festivals) The indigenous tribes of the Kadazan, Dusun and Murut of Sabah celebrate their harvestfestival in May. Grateful thanks are offered to the spirit of the paddy, called Bambaazon

/ Bambarayon, by the Kadazan Dusun. A dance is performed by a high priestess, orBoohizan, to search for the Bambarayon. Once found, a good harvest can be expectedAgricultural shows, exhibitions, cultural programs, buffalo races, and other traditional gamesare held. There is much merrymaking and feasting with Tapai ( rice wine) flowing freelythroughout the festivities. A Unduk Ngadau ( Harvest Festival Queen ) pageant is held toseek the fairest maiden, honouring a sacrifice made by a maiden in legendary times.Gawai Dayak Gawai Dayak, a festive celebrated in Sarawak on 1st June every year is both a religious andsocial occasion. It is a thanksgiving day marking good harvest and a time to plan for the newfarming season or activities ahead for the Dayaks, which generally refers to the Iban,Bidayuh and the Orang Ulu communities in Sarawak. Their homes are cleaned and thegraves of ancestors are tended to. Gawai is an occasion for parties, fun and games,processions and open houses. The Ibans working outside their village returned tothe village for the celebration. Celebrations begin with a reunion dinner for the entirefamily. Here, the youngest member of the family will offer the parents a plate of speciallyprepared food. There is singing, dancing and considerable drinking of tuak or rice wine in thelocal longhouses. Livestock is also sacrificed to ensure a good harvest the following season.Hungry Ghost Festival Celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month by Buddhists and Taoist, it is believedaccording to Chinese tradition, that the gates of hell are opened to free the hungry ghosts whothen wander to seek food on Earth. Some even think that the ghosts would seek revenge on
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those who had wronged them in their lives. The reason why the Chinese celebrate thisfestival is to remember their dead family members and pay tribute to them. They also feelthat offering food to the deceased appeases them and wards off bad luck. Sacrificial offeringsare made by burning fake money notes, which are also known as hell money and evenpaper television or radio sets. Some families also burn paper houses & cars to give to their

dead relatives. The Chinese feel that these offerings reach the ghosts and help them livecomfortably in their world. Religious ceremonies are also held at templesLantern & Mooncake Festival Although its origins were founded in times of war in China where it celebrates the overthrowof the Mongols during the end of the Yuan Dynasty (120G- 1341 AD) in China. , the lanternand 'Mooncake Festival ' or ' Tang Lung' has come more to symbolise a quiet celebration of peace and shared prosperity. Legend has indicated that the secret about a plot againstthe Mongolians was hidden inside the mooncake and the mooncake was distributedwidely. Lanterns were used at night as signals from higher grounds and hilltop. TodayMalaysians of all walks of life celebrates this festival with colorful lantern hanging on thehouse & enjoying the highly delectable variety of mooncakes available. These cakes are rich,round pastries filled with a mixture of sweet red bean paste, lotus nut paste, or salted eggyolk. Mooncakes are available throughout the country for about a month while lanternprocessions and competition are held around in some neighbourhoods.DeepavaliCommonly known to Hindus as the Festival of Lights, Deepavali is celebrated during the 7thmonth of the Hindu calendar. Deepavali celebrates the triumph of good over evil, when Lord Krishna defeated Narkansura . Oil baths are taken in the morning, before donning newclothes and paying a visit to the temple. Homes are lit with oil lamps, called vikku,signifying victory over darkness. This is believed to invite Lakshmi, the goddess of wealthwho will not enter an unlit house. As with all open houses in Malaysia, friends join in thecelebrations by visiting the homes of Hindu friends and relatives to extend good wishes andto partake in the feasting and jollity.Christmas Witness the Portuguese Settlement transformed into a spectacle of brilliant lights withbeautiful decorated Christmas Trees in every house and the sweet sounds of carolling in theair. Midnight services are held in churches, to celebrate to birth of Christ. Christians inMalaysia celebrates by decorating Christmas trees, attending church services and carolling.'Open Houses' are also held on Christmas Day, during which guests are treated to food anddrinks. Exchange of gifts are popular. Roast turkey is a common and traditional dish.

Open house leads to open minds?Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad asserts that the open house concept that has been

practised in Malaysia during the Eid celebration can help erase negative perception of Islam.


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According to a Bernama report , he said that in a multicultural and multireligious country like

Malaysia, the open house practice would also help non-Muslims not to feel fear of Islam or regard it as

a strange religion.

We should continue with this open house practice as it will bring about greater understanding

between Muslims and non- Muslims, he said at an Aidilfitri function of the Malaysia Muslim Welfare

Organisation (Perkim) which was attended by about 1,500 people.

Yes, its possible that the open house concept offers an opportunity for inter-faith connection and

understanding. But surely there are other and better ways in which Islam can be perceived in a

positive light particularly by non-Muslims.

For instance, religious and political leaders of the Islamic faith may want to reiterate the fact that

Islam puts heavy emphasis on the values of, say, justice, compassion and accountability. These are

important intangible things that can certainly sit well with Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Thus, for example, a concerted and conscious endeavour on the part of a Muslim-majority government

to help the poor and the marginalised irrespective of their ethnic and religious backgrounds is not only

seen as being just but also compassionate and accountable to the very people it is supposed to serve.

Furthermore, such a principled action does justice to the religion.
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What is Open House