African Cultures and Customs: Unique Practices That You Have to See to Believe

Circumcision as a Sign of Adulthood

Growing into a warrior is an important source of pride for the Maasai people. The
Maasai people live both in Kenya and Tanzania and make up a very small number of
both countries’ population. Transitioning from boyhood to adulthood and then to warrior
is an integral part of this tribe. Both boys and girls of the Maasai tribe go through similar
rites of passage, with the most crucial being the emuratta – which means circumcision.
However, due to international outrage on the horrors of women
circumcision, emuratta is outlawed in Kenya and many Maasai women no longer
undergo the process.

The circumcision ritual in itself is an elaborate process. Typically done shortly after
puberty, Maasai boys must prove themselves to be grown men to their community. Prior
to the ceremony, the Maasai boy must herd cattle for seven consecutive days. He must
also show signs of strength by carrying a heavy spear and herding large herds.

Other than circumcision, Maasai boys also go through several other rites of passage
including enkiama (marriage) and eunoto (warrior-shaving ceremony). Each ceremony
is elaborate and usually involves elders of the tribe.
While many Maasai people have moved to urban cities in search of jobs, there are a
number of Maasai tribes still existing near the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya
and the Serengeti plains in Tanzania.

Sunscreen from the Earth

Perhaps you’ve seen the iconic images of African individuals covered in a distinctive red
hue, known as the Red People. But how much about this tint do you know? The red hue
is known as otjize – a paste of butter, fat and red ochre that is applied generously to the
skin and hair by the Himba women of Northern Namibia.

The Himba women use this paste mainly for its aesthetic value – akin to the makeup in
beauty aisles that we are more familiar with – and apply it every morning. The otjize is
considered to be an extremely desirable aesthetic beauty cosmetic as it symbolizes the
earth’s rich red color.

Aside from aesthetic purposes, the otjize is also used as a form of protection from the
sun and heat as well as from mosquito bites.
Spitting Their Greetings

While there are many ways to greet others, the Maasai tribe’s form of greeting is one of
the most unique. It is customary for the Maasai people to spit as a way of saying hello to
others. Men spit on newborn babies and refer to the child as bad as they believe that
this would protect the child from curses and evil spirits. Warriors of the tribe also spit in
their hands before shaking the hand of an elder.

If spitting isn’t your cup of tea, there are also greetings that you may use in Africa when
interacting with the local people. Here are a few common greeting phrases used in
several African countries.

Botswana (Setswana)

Dumela mma (hello to a woman) or dumela rra (hello to a man)

Ghana (Twi)

Maakýe (good morning)

Kenya (Swahili)

Jambo (hello), Habari (How’s it going?)

Namibia (Afrikaans)
Hallo (hello)

Rwanda (Kinyarwanda)

Muraho (hello)

Uganda (Luganda)
Oli otya (hello)

It is important to note that, like most parts of the world, greeting one another is an
essential custom in Africa. A common sign of greeting in this part of the world is the
handshake – look at the person that you are greeting in the eyes and be sure that your
handshake is firm.

A Fair Price on the Bride

The age-old tradition of lobola – also known as bride price or price of the bride – is still
commonly practiced throughout Africa. In essence, lobola is the practice of determining
a price that the groom has to pay in order to marry the bride. In this custom, both the
families of the bride and groom come together in a formal negotiation process where
both families eventually agree on a price that the groom has to pay. The negotiation
process is done in writing and can often be handled by extended families of the bride
and groom.

Traditionally, the price is dictated in numbers of cattle. However, modern

day lobola often dictates payment in form of money.

Bull Jumping as Proof of Manhood

As proof of their manhood, young boys from the Hamer tribe in Ethiopia are required to
run, jump and subsequently land on the back of a bull. Once successful, they are then
required to run across the backs of several bulls. This ceremony is known as a bull-
jumping ceremony – a three-day long rite of passage that usually requires for the bull
jumper to be naked.

If they succeed, the bull jumpers will be known as Maza – meaning accomplished one –
and will be entitled to take wives. If they fail, they return to their village and wait another
year to try again.

Kidnapping Their Brides

In Sudan, the Latuka tribe practices bride kidnapping, where a man kidnaps the woman
he wants to marry. After this, the elderly members of the man’s family travel to the
kidnapped woman’s house to ask the father for the girl’s hand in marriage. If the father
agrees, he will beat the man as a sign of his acceptance. However, his agreement is
largely optional – as the man may still force the girl to marry him in absence of her
father’s agreement.
Chinese Culture, Tradition, and Customs

Chinese culture, tradition and customs

Present day Chinese culture is an amalgamation of old world traditions and a westernized
lifestyle. The two co-exist like the traditional Yin Yang formula of balance. This can be seen in
the juxtaposition of towering skyscrapers with heritage buildings, the contrast of western fashion
with the traditional Chinese Qipao dress, the people's paradoxical affinity for both dim sums and
McDonald's.
Ancient Chinese Culture is older than 5000 years. Chinese cultural history has enormous
diversity and variety. The sophisticated Chinese civilization was rich in the Arts and Sciences,
elaborate Painting and Printing techniques and delicate pottery and sculpture. Chinese
architectural traditions were much respected all over the world. Chinese language and literature,
philosophy and politics are still reckoned as a strong influence. Chinese culture managed to
retain its unique identity till the advent of Western culture in the mid-19th century.
Chinese Religion, Philosophy and Politics: Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism have left a
collective and lasting impression on Chinese culture and tradition. Confucianism propagated
“Ren” (Love) and “Li” (rituals), signifying respect for society and social hierarchy. Taoism
advocated the controversial philosophy of inaction. Buddhism emphasized on the need to attain
self- emancipation through good deeds.

Ethnic Groups
China, a large united multi-national state, is composed of 56 ethnic groups. Han Chinese account
for 91.59% of the overall Chinese population, and the other 55 groups make up the remaining
8.41%, according to the Fifth National Population Census of 2000.
These numerous ethnic groups share China's vast lands but at the same time many live in their
individual communities. The relationships between the different ethnic groups have been formed
over many years.
Distinct Language
While hundreds of Chinese dialects are spoken across China, a minority language is not simply a
dialect. Rather, it is a language with distinct grammatical and phonological differences from
Chinese. Language families include Sino-Tibetan, Altaic, Indo-European, Austro-Asiatic, and
Austronesian. Twenty-one ethnic minority groups have unique writing systems.
Chinese Religion
Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism are the three major religions in China, although it is true to
say that Confucianism is a school of philosophy rather than a religion.

Buddhism in China
Buddhism is the most important religion in China. It is generally believed that it was spread to
China in 67 AD during the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220) from Hotan in Xinjiang to Central China.
During its development in China, it has a profound influence on traditional Chinese culture and
thoughts, and has become one of the most important religions in China at that time.
Three different forms of this religion evolved as it reached the centers of population at varying
times and by different routes. The social and ethnic background in each location also affected the
way in which each of these forms developed and eventually they became known as Han, Tibetan
and Southern Buddhism.
Over its long history, Buddhism has left an indelible impact on Chinese civilization. Many words

and phrases have root in a Buddhist origin. Take a colloquial phrase as an

example, 'to hold the foot of Buddha at the moment" means "to make a last minute effort". This
reveals in a sense the true attitude of the Chinese toward the utilitarian aspects of belief. Many
people kowtow to whatever gods they encounter and will burn incense in any temple.
In literature traces of Buddhism and Zen are obvious. Quite a few famous poets in Tang Dynasty
like Bai Juyi were lay Buddhists but this did not prevent them from indulging in a little from
time to time. Just as today's white collar classes go to bars, the Tang scholars went to restaurants
to drink and flirt with the almahs.
In today's China, Buddhist temples, Buddhist caves and grottoes and Buddhist Holy Mountains,
especially the ones listed in the national or provincial historical and cultural relics, have become
the hot spots for tourism. It is not uncommon for the income of a temple to cover the expenses of
a whole county or district.
Website Reference:
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/religion/buddhism/

Taoism in China
In the Chinese language the word tao means "way," indicating a way of thought or life. There
have been several such ways in China's long history, including Confucianism and Buddhism. In
about the 6th century BC, under the influence of ideas credited to a man named Lao-tzu, Taoism
became "the way". like Confucianism, it has influenced every aspect of Chinese culture.
Taoism began as a complex system of philosophical thought that could be indulged in by only a
few individuals. In later centuries it emerged, perhaps under the influence of Buddhism, as a
communal religion. It later evolved as a popular folk religion.
Philosophical Taoism speaks of a permanent Tao in the way that some Western religions speak
of God. The Tao is considered unnamed and unknowable, the essential unifying element of all
that is. Everything is basically one despite the appearance of differences. Because all is one,
matters of good and evil and of true or false, as well as differing opinions, can only arise when
people lose sight of the oneness and think that their private beliefs are absolutely true. This can
be likened to a person looking out a small window and thinking he sees the whole world, when
all he sees is one small portion of it. Because all is one, life and death merge into each other as
do the seasons of the year. They are not in opposition to one another but are only two aspects of
a single reality. The life of the individual comes from the one and goes back into it.
The goal of life for a Taoist is to cultivate a mystical relationship to the Tao. Adherents therefore
avoid dispersing their energies through the pursuit of wealth, power, or knowledge. By shunning
every earthly distraction, the Taoist is able to concentrate on life itself. The longer the adherent's
life, the more saintly the person is presumed to have become. Eventually the hope is to become
immortal.
Website Reference:
http://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~phalsall/texts/chinrelg.html

Confucianism in China
Confucius was China’s most famous Philosopher. He lived in Ancient China during the Zhou
Dynasty. Confucius was a government official, and during his lifetime (he lived from 551 to 479
B.C. ) he saw growing disorder and chaos in the system. Perhaps due to the turmoil and
injustices he saw, he set himself to develop a new moral code based on respect, honesty,
education, kindness and strong family bonds. His teachings later became the basis for religious
and moral life throughout China.
The Five Virtues of Confucius
Confucius believed that a good government was the basis for a peaceful and happy society. And
the basis for a good government was good officials. In order to become a “good official” a
person had to master the following Five Virtues:

Li for ritual etiquette, manners, gravity

"Men's natures are alike, it is their habits that carry them far apart."
 Ren stands for Kindness to the fellow man
“Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses."

Xin stands for truthfulness, faithfulness and sincerity

“The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions”

Yi for righteousness or honesty, generosity of soul

“When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves”

Xiao for filial piety, for strong family values

“The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home”

Chinese food
Beijing Roast Duck

It is often said that if you are in Beijing, there are essentially two things that you must do;
one is to climb the Great Wall of China, and the other is to eat Peking Duck. Once confined to
the kitchens of the palace, the legendary Peking Duck is now served at thousands of restaurants
around Beijing, as well as around the world.

The origin of the Peking Duck dates back to the Ming Dynasty, about 600 years ago. Cooks from
all over China travelled to the capital Beijing to cook for the Emperor. It was a prestigious
occupation as only the best chefs could enter the palace kitchens. A top cook was even able to
reach the rank of a minister!
It was in these kitchens where dishes of exceptional quality such as the Peking Duck were first
created and crafted to perfection by palace chefs. However, many of the recipes for such "foods
of the Emperor" were later smuggled out of the kitchen and onto the streets of Beijing. With the
eventual fall of the Ching dynasty in 1911, court chefs who left the Forbidden City set up
restaurants around Beijing and brought Peking Duck and other delicious dishes to the masses.
Hotpot
In the winter season, when chilly temperatures and frigid winds prevail over the land, people
like to eat food that instantly warms their bodies and lifts their spirits. For that, the hot pot is a
delicious and hearty choice. Families or groups of friends sit around a table and eat from a
steaming pot in the middle, cooking and drinking and chatting. Eating hot pot is not a passive
activity: diners must select morsels of prepared raw food from plates scattered around the table,
place them in the pot, wait for them to cook, fish them out of the soup, dip them in the preferred
sauce, and then eat them hot, fresh, and tender. They can also ladle up the broth from the pot and
drink it.

The high temperature in the hot pot is symbolic of the warmth of tender feeling that those
people sitting around it have for each other, while the round shape of the apparatus is a hint at
the lack or complete absence of irregularities in the man-to-man relationship. Undoubtedly, this
way of eating is not only a figurative embodiment but a visual indication of the willingness to eat
from the same pot and to share the same lot. This is the most highly prized merit of group
consciousness.

The hot pot is not only a cooking method; it also provides a way of eating. It is not only a dietary
mode; it is also a cultural mode. As a dietary mode, the hot pot can be used by many people
dining together, or by one person eating alone. Yet how few are those solitary diners to be found
in a restaurant! In a hot pot restaurant it's really hard to meet with a customer dining by
him/herself. This is not because the diner wants to economize, but because dining by oneself in
front of a hot pot is devoid of interest and joy.
CULTURE AND TRADITIONS OF SINGAPORE

Singapore is a cultural melting pot with expats from all over the world, it also has a strong
national heritage that is steeped in history and tradition.
Singapore has been one of Asia’s premier destinations even before the pre-colonial period. Its
position upon the Strait of Malacca makes it an important port , which led to its colonization by
the British in the 19th century. Since then, Singapore has experienced major growth and evolved
into one of the world’s leading financial centers.the Singapore Arts Festivalwhich aspires to be
an international arts event with a distinctly Asian identity brings together great local and
overseas works and artists who seek to inspire, challenge, surprise and entertain.

Culture and Traditions of Singapore

Singapore Culture
Language in Singapore
The four official languages of Singapore are Mandarin, Malay, Tamil and English. English is the
most common language used and is the language which unites the different ethnic groups.
Children are taught in English at school but also learn their mother tongue to make sure they
don’t lose contact with their traditions.Expatriates and foreigners may encounter language
problems in the beginning of their stay in Singapore as many Singaporeans use Singlish to
communicate. Singlish is a mix of English with other languages mixed into the English,
sometimes phrases can end with funny terms like ‘lah’, ‘leh’, mah’. Chinese commonly use their
own dialects to communicate, and sometimes, inter-dialect groups don’t understand one
another’s language, as the language is vastly different. Except for Hokkien and Teochew, which
have a closer link. The Malays use the language among their fellow races and the Indians speak
Tamil. But whatever the race or religion, the country’s community unite as one nation,
where most religious or racial gaps are being bridged.
Singapore Religion
Singapore is also a multi-religious country.Religions tolerance, understanding and respect are
also in build into Singapore culture. The main religious are Islam, Buddhism, Taoism,
Christianity and Hinduism. Majority of the Chinese population in Singapore are Buddhism or
Taoism but there are also a good number of them are Christians. Most of the Singapore Malay is
Muslim while for Indian most of them are Hindus. There are also a group of people who don’t
believe in any religious and they call themselves as free thinker. It is also a very common sight to
see Church, Taoism temple, Hindu temple and Muslim mosque located side by side. This is a
unique scene in Singapore showing the level of racial and religious harmony and mutual respect
for others believe in Singapore.
Singapore Festival
Singapore celebrates the festivals of every ethnic group with gusto throughout the year. Proud of
Singapore multicultural and multiracial society, Singaporeans join in the festivities of one
another with respect and enjoyment. The list below are the festivals that belong to the different
ethnic group celebrate in Singapore. It is also part of Singapore culture to join in the celebration
of each other festivals.
Singapore Traditions
Singapore Music
Lovers of classical music might have gala time in Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s weekly
concerts in the Victoria Concert Hall, Empress Place and open-air concerts. The Orchestra which
came to exist in 1979, adopts middle path between Asian and Western music. For Oriental, go to
the Singapore Chinese Orchestra’s fortnightly performance at the Singapore Conference Hall.
Hungry Ghost Festival
The Chinese come together every year, usually during mid-January to mid-February to celebrate
Chinese New Year, otherwise known as the Lunar New Year, making this one of the most
hyped traditional festivals in Singapore. Chinese families all over Singapore will have their
houses specially spruced clean and beautifully decorated to butter up the occasion, while
Shopping Malls and city streets will be prettily dolled up with bright red ornaments and
extravagant decorations.
Singapore Food
Known as one of the global food capitals, Singapore is known for the sheer diversity, richness,
and creativity of their culinary scene. One of the main drivers behind the spurt in Singapore
tourism is its popularity when it comes to food. Some of the Singaporean dishes which have
acquired a cult status are Bak kut teh, Nasi lemak, Satay, Hokkien mee, Laksa, and
Rojak. Singapore food doesn’t disappoint on the seafood front either
Thaipusam Festival
Thaipusam festival is said to be the most jaw-dropping traditional festivals in Singapore.
Celebrated by the Hindus on 30th January, in honor of their Hindu god, Subramaniam, or Lord
Murugan, the practices and rituals performed for this day includes piercing their body with large
steel hooks and other sacrificial acts like walking on hot coal.
Customs and Tradition of Indonesia

Enjoy a fascinating spectrum of cultures and traditions in a Malay village. Watch cultural
performances or be immersed in the enchanting melody of traditional musical instruments. A
not-to-be-missed highlight is the mock-wedding, held to showcase the colourful and interesting
local customs. The convivial atmosphere will set the stage for lots of excitement!

Malaysia is a mosaic of three major races; the Malay, Chinese and Indian. In addition, the
country is home to many ethnic communities.
Malays form more than half of the population. They profess Islam as their religion and
speak Bahasa Malaysia, the national language. A large number of homestay villages in
Peninsular Malaysia are operated by the Malays. Known for their gentle mannerisms and cultural
refinement, many rural Malay folk engage in artistic endeavours. In Peninsular Malaysia, the
homestay programme covers more than 300 registered rural villages located in every state and
predominantly in homes of the Malay community.
The states of Sabah and Sarawak are home to a diversity of ethnic groups. From resplendently
dressedBajau horsemen to the legendary Iban warriors, Sabah and Sarawak offer a gamut of
exotic cultures and vibrant traditions.
Traditional Homes
The type of house that visitors will live in during the homestay programme is most likely
a traditional Malay house, which is made of timber and raised in stilts. Some houses display
intricate carvings or crafts. The windows open out to the lush greenery that surrounds the homes,
offering plenty of fresh air and a sense of calm. In Sabah and Sarawak, visitors will be able to
live in a Malay village or traditional dwellings such as alonghouse (a communal home). In
Sarawak visitors can experience life in a Melanau tail house, which can reach up to 40 feet above
ground level.
Festivals
The largest celebration for the Muslim community is Eid ul Fitr, or locally known as Hari Raya
Aidilfitri. It marks the end of the fasting month, Ramadan, and the beginning of
Syawal. Another major festival is the Hari Raya Aidiladha, which marks the completion of the
Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah.
The Kandazandusun and Murut communities in Sabah celebrate Tadau Kaamatan or Harvest
Festival in May. In Sarawak, Gawai Dayak (celebrated in June) is a centuries-old celebration that
marks the end of the paddy planting season and the start of a new season.
Mock Weddings

One of the best ways to understand traditional Malay culture is to participate in a Malay
wedding, which is fascinating and steeped in age-old traditions. A Malay wedding begins with an
'akad nikah' ceremony. The groom signs the marriage contract and agrees to provide the bride
with a 'mas kahwin' or dowry. On the day of the wedding, the groom arrives with his entourage
of relatives and friends. He is accompanied by musicians beating the 'kompang' ( a percussion
instrument) and followers carrying the 'bunga manggar' or palm blossoms. As they arrive at the
bride�s home, the entourage will be greeted with the sprinkling of yellow rice and scented
water.
The highlight of a Malay wedding is usually the 'bersanding' ceremony, where the bridal couple
will be seated on a dais while family members, friends and well-wishers come forward to
sprinkle the couple with yellow rice and scented water as a sign of blessing. Departing guests
will receive a token of appreciation, usually in the form of a decorated egg called 'bunga telur'.
Filled with interesting rituals, the Malay wedding ceremony will make for an eventful day. In
most villages, a mock-wedding is arranged to give guests a chance to experience this merry
occasion.

Rural folk are proud custodians of culture and the fine arts. In most homestay villages, visitors
will be able to watch the pencak silat, a fascinating Malay martial art which are performed on
official occasions or even weddings. Silat features elaborate movements precision timing and
highly-skilled manoeuvres.

The traditional shadow play theatre or wayang kulit is another interesting performance. This
show is performed by casting animated puppet shadows on a white cloth screen.

The puppet characters and stories are usually adapted from ancient epics. The master storyteller,
called Tok Dalang, conducts the whole show from behind the screen as he recites the tale with
appropriate sounds and movements. Both silat and wayang kulit are accompanied by traditional
music.

Malaysia�s wide range of traditional dances and musical shows create the perfect cultural
backdrop for a homestay visit. There are many types of dances in Malaysia. The most upbeat and
popular form of traditional dance is the tarian joget. Performed during joyous occasions such as
weddings, the joget involves pairs of men and women performing swift and graceful movements.

Joget is usually accompanied by an orchestra which includes instruments such as the violin,
rebana and gong. The basic steps are relatively easy to learn. With a little practice, visitors will
soon find themselves swaying to the music!

Visitors to almost any homestay village in Malaysia will be able to hear the thunderous echo of
the kompang. One of the most widely used percussion instruments in Malaysia, the kompang is a
hand-beaten frame, made of wood as well as cow or buffalo hide. It is indispensable during
religious occasions, festivals and weddings. One can play the kompang while being seated,
standing or walking in a procession. The gusto of the musicians and the reverberating sound
make it a lively performance to watch.

Some states are known for their signature performances. In Kelantan, the Malay cultural
heartland, visitors can enjoy a vibrant performance which features the rebana ubi. This huge,
brightly decorated drum is made from hollow logs and covered with buffalo hide. A visit to the
Renok Baru Homestay in Kelantan offers an opportunity to enjoy this performance. Lively
dances such as tarian sabak, tarian piring and tumbuk emping are among the attractions at Pasir
Raja Homestay in Terengganu. Visitors to the Mengkuang Titi Homestay in Penang can enjoy
boria, a musical performance that is unique to Penang.

Negeri Sembilan�s trademark musical instrument, called cak lempong can be seen at Homestay
Lonek. Zapin dances and kuda kepang performances ( a dance featuring two-dimensional mock
horses made of rattan) are among the highlights of a visit to Felda Semenchu Homestay in Kota
Tinggi Johor.

The graceful Sumazau dance of Sabah, as well as the datun julud, tarian lesung and ngajat dances
of Sarawak are equally interesting.

Visitors should not miss a chance to watch mogunatip, the traditional bamboo dance of Sabah.
This dance requires artists to skilfully perform their steps while their team-mates move bamboo
poles back and forth between their feet.

As the beat accelerates, the dance seems to get increasingly difficult, but the agility of the
dancers makes it possible for them to move without getting their feet trapped.

Visitors to Sabah can keep an eye out for the sompoton, a mouth organ made from dried gourd
and bamboo pipes. Sape (a traditional guitar) is a very important musical instrument in
Sarawakian traditional music. This musical instrument renders the beat for the datun julud dance
and is often accompanied by singing and clapping of hands.

Homestay villages offer a variety of activities to give an insight into the colourful Malaysian
culture. Enjoy the cultural performances and take home wonderful memories
Enjoying meals with a host family is an interesting and pleasant experience. In most homes,
village folk have their meals while being seated on a mat, laid out on the floor.

Be adventurous and try eating using your fingers. Meal times are important as members of the
family gather to enjoy their food. As a close-knitted society, it is normal practice for the villagers
to get together to prepare the meals.

Visitors will find an array of lip-smacking food served during breakfast, lunch, teatime, dinner
and even supper!. A typical breakfast will comprise of 'nasi lemak', or fragrant rice served with
hard boiled egg, stir-fried water convolvulus (locally known as 'kangkung'), roasted groundnuts,
fried chicken, a spicy anchovy sauce and crisp slices of cucumber.

Tempt your palate with a variety of authentic Malaysian tastes and flavours. Simple yet
scrumptious, the dishes of the rural folk are often made with garden vegetables and fresh local
produce. Try your hand at making some of the local delicacies and surprise friends and family
back home with your newly acquired culinary skills.
Rice forms the main staple of the Malays, and this is often taken with a variety of dishes. Daily
meals are based on white rice, and coconut milk is always one of the ingredient in the cooking.
Rice is the staple diet in any Malay meal. It is often served for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and
supper too. Most meals are eaten by using your fingers, and eating utensils are kept to a
minimum. All dishes are served at the same time, accompanied by a refreshing drink.

Fish is popular in Malay cooking, as with other seafood such as shrimps and cuttlefish. Beef and
mutton are very popular choices but never pork as it is against their religious beliefs to eat pork.

The Malay cooking always have their home-grown ingredients such as coconut milk, lemon
grass, lime leaves, screw pine leaves (pandan leave) and tumeric etc. to cook with meat or
vegetables together with a traditional accompaniment of a hot and spicy sambal belacan which is
made of prawn paste, ground chili and condiments. Indeed, no Malay meal is complete without
the sambal !

The traditional Malay way of eating is by using the right hand. The use of the left hand is
considered bad manners. The same goes with receiving or giving things, always use the right
hand.

In eating stalls or at homes where hands are used to eat, guests will provided with a pot of water
to wash their hands before and after the meal. Remember, this water is not for drinking. Or you
simply use the always available tap to wash your hands.

To enhance your experience, visitors are welcomed to participate in the food preparation. The
local women folk are happy and proud to share the recipes that have been handed down by their
mothers and grandfathers.

Popular Malay dishes include : -

� Nasi Dagang

The dish is made by cooking rice and glutinous rice together, to which coconut cream is added
once it is cooked. Nasi Dagang is eaten with its own specially made side dishes of tuna fish curry
and a light vegetable pickle.

� Keropok Lekor / Keping

A popular and the most visible fried snack in Terengganu, the keropok is made of fish meat,
ground to a paste, and mixed with sago. Coming in two main different forms, the long chewy
ones are called 'lekor', while the thin, crispy ones are called 'keping'. Keropok is best eaten hot
with its special chili dip.