Savour the flavourful meanings of Malaysian festive foods, 'tasting' the symbolism and significance they bring to their cultural traditions.
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07 Feb 2024
5 Min Read
Liew Yen Rou (Student Writer)
Savour the flavourful meanings of Malaysian festive foods, 'tasting' the symbolism and significance they bring to their cultural traditions.
What images do festive seasons paint in your head?
You might visualise fireworks shooting up into the dark skies when the clock strikes twelve. Perhaps you may think about the vibrant decorations around the house and in shopping malls or picture yourself surrounded by your friends and family, all dressed up for the occasion. However, there's one essential element missing from the list — the mouthwatering festive food that keeps the holiday season joyful.
Without festive foods, the holidays will become dull, but their importance stretches beyond the purposes of indulgence and keeping us energised throughout the day.
Festive foods have been passed down for many generations, each with a story to tell. In many cultures, even the ingredients used in festive dishes are deeply rooted in their history and tradition. What makes festive foods even more special is that every family has its own version of the dishes. As the festivities approach, we make an effort to come home to indulge in our family's home-cooked food, where every bite will take us back to the taste of childhood and our hometown.
Whether you're learning to make festive foods or simply enjoying them, they serve as an appreciation towards all cultures as you attempt to learn more about them. That is why food is always the main feature of cultural exchange opportunities because you get to taste unique flavours from different cultures while gaining knowledge about their origins. Honouring festive foods is also an act of preserving a culture for many generations to come. If the foods are not eaten, they will eventually be forgotten by future generations.
Whether it's a festive celebration, party, or a casual gathering, we often share joy and happiness with everyone through food. People would often strike up conversations over food as it's the best time to connect since everyone feels contented with a mouthful of delicious food. While it's important to appreciate food from your culture during the festivities, trying food outside your own is an eye-opening experience. The beauty of a multicultural nation like Malaysia has allowed us to bond through shared recipes, become knowledgeable about different cultures, and indulge in an extensive variety of flavours, textures, colours, and cuisines.
Festive foods craft the identity of an individual and learning about their symbolism and significance is not only a form of respect or appreciation towards a culture, but it also draws you closer to your own and the culture of others. So, let's come together this festive season (and the seasons after) to celebrate the diversity of our festive foods!
新年快乐 xīn nián kuài lè!
Liew Yen Rou is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Mass Communication (Honours) at Taylor's University. She is an aspiring journalist who pens her thoughts on current issues to while away the time.