Yearning to Belong

Yearning to Belong
Author: Patrick Pillai
Publisher: Iseas Publishing
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2015
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 9789814519687

Malaysia is among the most ethnically diverse and culturally rich nations on earth. Yet much of its cultural wealth lies buried beneath the rubric of its main Malay, Chinese and Indian "race" categories; the dazzling diversity within and outside these groups remains largely unexplored. This book uncovers some of this fascinating diversity through the stories of five little-known acculturated ethnic groups in Peninsula Malaysia. The author, a Malaysian sociologist, delivers an insightful and lucid study of these groups, with some surprising findings. These communities illustrate how much more cross-cultural mingling, sharing and co-dependence there is within Malaysian society than we care to recognize, admit or celebrate. This raises various questions: Is a similar process of spontaneous inter-ethnic interaction possible between larger ethnic groups today? How can we foster such acculturation, and can it by itself contribute to ethnic harmony? The author also discovers that despite their long settlement and deep acculturation, segments of these groups are anxious about their future, and pine for an indigenous identity. What are the implications of this trend for ethnic relations, and how can it be resolved? This book traces the acculturation journey of these communities and draws lessons for ethnic relations in one of the most complex multi-ethnic nations in the world. It will appeal to scholars, students, laymen and visitors interested in migration, history, culture, ethnicity and heritage in Malaysia and the region.

Malabar to Malaya

Malabar to Malaya
Author: Ravindran Raghavan
Publisher: Ravindran Raghavan
Total Pages: 341
Release: 2018-10-24
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1729104983

Book description: The British rubber plantations in Malaya (now Malaysia) created a huge migration of indentured labour from India. My grandpa joined the wave to start a spice business and lost it all. That plunged my generation below the poverty line!I I was born in a plantation house (not a hospital) and my birth certificate was "processed" in a police station. That is how I arrived earth in 1965. Grew up in the rubber plantation, soon to become unpaid underaged labour helping my parents tap rubber trees starting at 04:30 in the morning amongst the mosquitoes and snakes while smacking into spider webs between the trees.Our meals starts on a perfect dining table after pay day and dwindles into lack of food by end of the month. The vicious cycle seems to never end year after year. In the years to come I became a Chemical Engineer and that changed this "fate" by placing food on our table consistently. As I set sail on my career, my life took various positive turns that brought me to being a Company Director occasionally signing cheques with six digits in them. This book shares a part my journey that took me through pain, gain, glory and gratification. Author: Author is a 53 yeard old, third generation Malaysian of Indian descent. Graduated with a honours Degree in Chemical Engineering from University of Malaya and held various management positions in multinationals. Currently working as General Manager in the Dubai Head Office of a UK-based shipping company. Fluent in English, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia, Tamil and Malayalam.

A Kaleidoscope of Malaysian Indian Women’s Lived Experiences

A Kaleidoscope of Malaysian Indian Women’s Lived Experiences
Author: Premalatha Karupiah
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 268
Release: 2022-10-22
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 9811958769

This book presents a compilation of chapters relating to the socio-cultural experiences of Malaysian Indian women. It includes a historical background covering Indian women’s migration to Malaya, and explores the lived realities of contemporary Indian women who are members of this minority ethnic group in the country. The authors cover a wide range of issues such as gender inequality, poverty, the involvement of women in performing arts, work, inter‐personal relationships, and well-being and happiness, drawing on substantial empirical data through a gendered lens. This book addresses the gap in the intersectional gender studies literature on minority groups of women in Malaysia, while simultaneously highlighting the multiple forms of subordination minority women - particularly Indian women - experience in society, including those that arise from gender‐ethnic intersectionality. In examining the case of Indian women in Malaysia, it also speaks to and enriches existing literature on the lives of minority groups of women in the Global South more broadly This anthology is beneficial to researchers and students in the social sciences, particularly in disciplines related to gender studies and minority studies. In addition, it is also useful for policy makers and social activists working with minority women in the Global South.

Thaipusam in Malaysia

Thaipusam in Malaysia
Author: Carl Vadivella Belle
Publisher: ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute
Total Pages: 449
Release: 2017-02-13
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9814695750

"This is an important book by Carl Vadivella Belle which argues that Hinduism and its manifestations in the diaspora has important significance in binding not only the Hindus but also encourages 'others' to revisit Hinduism, especially in a multicultural society like Malaysia which is dominated by communally infused discourses structured upon race and religion."— Ajaya K. Sahoo, Editor, Journal of South Asian Diaspora "Dr Belle weaves his magical journey over nearly half a century, offering poignant and potent insights into the socio economic and spiritual realities of Hindus in Malaysia. Numerous books maybe available on Tamil Traditions and Hinduism in Malaysia, but none seem to have succinctly and encapsulated the very essence and heart of these veritable subjects. I would unreservedly recommend this book, to all those interested in matters pertaining to Indians and Hinduism in Malaysia."— Professor Bala Shanmugam, Academic Director, Federation University, Malaysia "This is a work of immense inspiration. Combining personal pilgrimage with ethnographic perseverance, it is at once a document of ritual power and cultural change and a biography of religious encounter. By becoming the religious Other, Carl Belle creates a new dimension in the understanding of Thaipusam as both ethnic and individual experience. Dauntlessly frank and insightful, it is without doubt a rare achievement."— Raymond Lee, Universiti Malaya (retired)

A South Indian Journey

A South Indian Journey
Author: Michael Wood
Publisher: Penguin UK
Total Pages: 294
Release: 2007-08-02
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0141032677

Inspired by a temple astrologer (who had accurately predicted his marriage and the birth of his two daughters), the writer and broadcaster Michael Wood travelled on a magical journey through south-east India.

Flavors of Malaysia

Flavors of Malaysia
Author: Susheela Raghavan
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2010
Genre: Cooking
ISBN: 9780781812498

A land of colourful temples, bustling markets, golden beaches, and glorious sunsets, Malaysia's exquisite natural beauty is surpassed only by its luscious cuisine. This book celebrates the best of the Malaysian table: sizzling satays, flavourful stir-fries, fragrant rice and noodle dishes, aromatic curries, and Malaysia's signature hot and spicy condiments, the delectable sambals. For centuries Malaysia was a major centre of the spice trade in Southeast Asia. As seafarers, traders, and immigrant work-ers from many countries intermarried with locals, new culinary traditions emerged. Over time, Malay, Chinese, Indian, Thai, Indonesian and Arab, as well as Dutch, Portuguese, and British influences blended beautifully to create the melange of cultures and intensely vibrant flavours that is Malaysian cuisine today. Susheela Raghavan serves up treasured recipes, touching fam-ily stories, and fascinating notes about the origins of Malaysian food in this lovingly compiled collection. Features: Over 150 authentic, easy-to-follow recipes; 16-page colour photo insert; Detailed introduction to Malaysian history and its culinary origins; Guide to Malaysian ingredients and cooking techniques.

A Version of Home

A Version of Home
Author: Howard Robert Wolf
Publisher: Academic Foundation
Total Pages: 268
Release: 1992
Genre: College teachers
ISBN: 9788171880843

Floating on a Malayan Breeze

Floating on a Malayan Breeze
Author: Sudhir Thomas Vadaketh
Publisher: Hong Kong University Press
Total Pages: 308
Release: 2012-09-01
Genre: Travel
ISBN: 9888139312

What happens after a country splits apart? Forty-seven years ago Singapore separated from Malaysia. Since then, the two countries have developed along their own paths. Malaysia has given preference to the majority Malay Muslims—the bumiputera, or sons of the soil. Singapore, meanwhile, has tried to build a meritocracy—ostensibly colour-blind, yet more encouraging perhaps to some Singaporeans than to others. How have these policies affected ordinary people? How do these two divergent nations now see each other and the world around them? Seeking answers to these questions, two Singaporeans set off to cycle around Peninsular Malaysia, armed with a tent, two pairs of clothes and a daily budget of three US dollars each. They spent 30 days on the road, cycling through every Malaysian state, and chatting with hundreds of Malaysians. Not satisfied, they then went on to interview many more people in Malaysia and Singapore. What they found are two countries that have developed economically but are still struggling to find their souls.