Acculturation Develops Malaysia’s Harmonious Society
Malaysia is known for being a multicultural country and this trait has become a major attraction factor for tourists as there are not many countries that embrace this diversity. With a variety of ethnicities which includes Malays, Chinese, Indians, and indigenous groups, each one of these races has contributed to the nation's unique cultural identity and has built Malaysia into a harmonious nation through the process of acculturation.
What is acculturation if you might wonder? This term is used to define the dynamics in cultural exchange as well as integration between different groups. Simply put, it is a phenomenon that transcends borders in order to bring together diverse cultures, languages, and traditions. Acculturation plays a crucial role to foster unity, tolerance and also social cohesion. In the context of Malaysia, a land that is filled with diversity, acculturation has shaped this country beautifully into a unique mosaic of cultures and it can be seen through the languages we speak, the food we eat and the customs that we are proud of.
Dwelling back into history, we can observe how the influence of different ethnicities through interaction among themselves over the centuries becomes the seeds of acculturation. New ideas and customs slowly become a norm in this country and this can prominently be seen in our religious harmony. Predominantly, Malaysia is a Muslim country with Islam as the official religion. However, this country also has significant populations of Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, and adherents of indigenous belief systems. Malaysians have embraced the freedom of practicing any religion people believe in and this shows how acculturation plays a vital role in the coexistence of these religious communities as well as promoting tolerance among the society.
Other than that, a striking example of acculturation in Malaysia can be seen in the usage of languages. The country boasts a multilingual populace, with Bahasa Malaysia as the official language. Yet, a significant portion of the population is bilingual or even trilingual, speaking their ethnic language, Malay, and often English fluently. We also have Bahasa Rojak which is a mixture of different languages in one sentence. This shows how Malaysians celebrate and welcome other languages as well despite having Bahasa Malaysia as its official language.
Moreover, we definitely cannot leave out food when talking about Malaysia. We can see how the fusion of flavors and cooking techniques from different cultures has not only delighted taste buds but also nurtured understanding and acceptance among diverse communities. Examples of food that develops from acculturation includes roti canai, nasi ayam, peranakan cuisine, lontong and many more. Malaysian cuisine reflects a harmonious blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous flavors.
All in all, to end this article, we can say that Malaysia's harmonious society is a testament to the power of acculturation. By embracing diversity and encouraging the exchange of cultures, Malaysia has created a nation where different ethnic groups coexist peacefully, respecting each other's traditions and beliefs. Malaysia's example serves as a valuable lesson for the world on how acculturation can be a powerful tool in building unity within a diverse society.
Written by Nurin Hadirah Sabella binti Hisham