Traditional Costumes Stamp

Malaysian Traditional Costumes

The richness and diversity of Malaysian traditional costumes can be seen throughout the length and breadth of Peninsular Malaysia. There is great variety of beautiful costumes which differ in style and design from state to state. The birth of Malaysia in 1963 continues to add more of the amazing collection of traditional costumes. Sabah and Sarawak, also rich in tradition and culture from its many ethnic and indigenous people further contributed to the fashion heritage of Malaysia. Today we are most fortunate to witness the rich legacy of traditional costumes of various ethnic groups and communities in Malaysia as our very own cultural identity that we can be proud of. The Malaysian traditional costumes become a kaleidoscope of colors. It is a visual delight to one and all.

Malay Traditional Clothing

The man is dressed in a Baju Melayu Cekak Musang matched with a hand woven songket sarong with floral design and a headgear known as songkok. The lady is beautifully dressed in a flowery songket Baju Jurung Telok Belanga matched with a sarong neatly tied in the ombak mengalun technique or translated as flowing waves. The outfit is complemented with a shawl.

Chinese Traditional Clothing

The couple is wearing classical Chinese attire, which has been give a modern touch. The man is wearing a Chinese satin Samfoo intricately woven with Chinese motif matched with trousers. The maiden is wearing a modern red Cheongsam with exquisite design woven with motif symbolizing prosperity. These outfits are usually made from soft materials such as silk or satin.

Indian Traditional Clothing

The traditional clothing for Indian men is the Vaishti. It is matched with a cotton cloth woven with gold thread. Indian ladies adorn beautiful silk gold thread bordered saree matched with a tight choli.

Iban Traditional Clothing

The male Iban is dressed in Baju Burung or vest and sirat woven loin-cloth which is a warrior's outfit. They also wear accessories such as a belt, armlet and anklet made from silver and a headgear decorated with hornbill feathers. The Iban maiden wears the ceremonial dress consisting of the bidang cloth, marek empang which is a chest adornment, the sugu tinggi headdress and other silver ornaments such as the coil belt and bangles.

Kadazan Traditional Clothing

The male Kadazan is wearing a ceremonial costume usually worn during the Sumazau dance. It comprises of a jacket and trousers with gold trimming and a woven destar cloth headgear known as siga. The female is wearing a ceremonial Kadazan Papar costume made of embroidered color and gold thread. It is worn with a headgear made of bamboo strips known as siung and silver coin belt. These clothes are usually made from black velvet or silk.



Technical Details

Date of Issue : 29-Aug-2006

Stamp Value : 50 Sen ( 3 Designs )

Stamp Size : 30mm x 40 mm

Miniature Sheet Denomination : RM1.00 X 2

Miniature Sheet Size : 70 mm X 100 mm

Stamp Size in Miniature Sheet : 30 mm X 40 mm

Perforation : 14

Sheet Content : 20 Stamps

Paper : SPM Watermarked, Phosphor Coated

Printing Process : Lithography

Printer : Percetakan Keselamatan Nasional Sdn Bhd

Stamp Designer : Hazel Design

First Day Cover Value : 30 Sen

Presentation Pack Value : RM 4.00

Folder Value : RM 5.00

Malaysian Festivals Stamp

Festivals in Malaysia

Anyone visiting Malaysia for the first time will be amazed by the number of festivals and events celebrated in Malaysia as Malaysia has a great mix of races, religion and culture. Some of these traditions are celebrated nationwide while some only in particular state. Most of these festivals are celebrated in conjunction with a religious occasion or a tradition.

Hari Raya Aidil Fitri

Also known as Hari Raya Puasa, this festival is celebrated by the Muslims after a month of fasting during the month of Ramadan. A call for prayers on the last night of Ramadhan marks the arrival of the month of Syawal. The celebration commences with a massive congregation of worshipers in the mosques in the early morning. Delicious traditional and modern food is served such as the ketupat, rendang, lemang, dodol and cookies. The men appear handsome as they dress in their Baju Melayu and the women look beautiful in their Buju Kurung or Kebaya.

The festival is celebrated with great joy to signify the triumph after fasting for a whole month as part of the duties of a Muslim. Joy is also felt especially when family members gather to strengthen relations and ask for forgiveness. It is also a common tradition to visit relatives and friends. The elders will present the young ones with green packets filled with money or Duit Raya. Having an "Open House" is a common practice where friends from other races are invited, thus strengthening inter-cultural relations.

Chinese New Year

This is the most significant festival for the Chinese community based on the lunar calendar which has 12 cycles themed after animals. Before the arrival of the Chinese New Year houses are swept, cleaned and decorated with flowers and oranges. Red is the main choice of color for clothing and decorations as it symbolizes prosperity. Families from far and near will return to their hometown to attend a traditional reunion dinner. It is an exuberant festival with clangs of cymbals accompanying lion dances and thunders of fire crackers filling the air to dispel evil spirits.

The signature dish for this festival is the Yee Sang and it is accompanied by other delicacies such as Nien Ko. The unmarried are given gifts of money enclosed in little red packets or Ang Pows by those who already have families. The celebration will end on the fifteenth day of Chinese New Year, which is also known as Chap Goh Mei.

Deepavali

Deepavali, also known as the festival of lights is celebrated by Hindus. The word "Deepavali" is a combination of the word "Dipa" which means light and the word "Gavali" which means line. Most of their homes are lit with little lights and oil lamps for the Hindus believe that this is the day when the forces of good overcome the forces of evil. Homes are also decorated with a kolam. It is a colorful design made of grains and rice placed on the floor in front of the house.

To celebrate Deepavali, Hindus will take oil bath as a symbol of purity. Later, they will perform their prayers in their own homes or at temples. Maruku, Laddu and various sweet cookies are among popular food for celebrating Deepavali.

Gawai Festival

This occasion is celebrated by Dayaks of Sarawak on 1st of June every year. The festival is held to show thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest that is bestowed upon them by the God of Rice and Wealth. The festival is celebrated with activities such as self defense demonstration, a beauty contest, Ngajat dance competition, blowpipe demonstration and cock-fighting competition.

Tadau Kaamatan Festival

Also known as the Harvest Festival, this occasion is celebrated in May by the Kadazandusuns of Sabah to show thanksgiving for the abundant harvest to Kinoingan, the Creator and also to worship the spirit of Bambaazon for greater harvest for the seasons to come. The tapai arak beras is served as a specialty drink during the celebration. many activities are held such as a beauty queen contest, the sumazau dance performance and competition, a type of dance that is synonym to the Kadazandusuns.



Technical Details

Date of Issue : 15-Aug-2006

Stamp Value : 30 Sen, 50 Sen, RM1

Stamp Size : 40 mm x 30 mm

Miniature Sheet Denomination : RM1.00 X 2

Miniature Sheet Size : 70 mm X 100 mm

Stamp Size in Miniature Sheet : 30 mm X 40 mm

Perforation : 14

Sheet Content : 20 Stamps

Paper : SPM Watermarked, Phosphor Coated

Printing Process : Lithography

Printer : Percetakan Keselamatan Nasional Sdn Bhd

Stamp Designer : First Option Resources Sdn. Bhd.

First Day Cover Value : 30 Sen

Presentation Pack Value : RM 4.00

Miniature Sheet Value : RM 2.00

Folder Value : RM 5.00