My Impressions after The Educational Tour to Malaysia

The first thing I have learnt during this educational tour is the Islam was get influenced in the decorations of ceramics. Along with the development of Islam in Melaka, many Islamic merchandise were brought into Malacca. Among the famous is ceramic items decorated with pious in Arabic such as the "Basmallah" and "Zikrullah", quotes of Koran verses or extracts from the Hadith, and names of Rasullah SAW's companions of the Prophet. Most of these ceramics originate from the country of China, especially after the decline in ceramics production in Persia in the 15th and 16th centuries. The production of ceramics of ceramics in China has begun in the 14th Century AD during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) until the 18th century AD during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912 AD). Other merchandise belonging to Islamic decorations or motifs include tiles, carpets, textiles, weapons and home appliances which made of metal such as vases and brass bowls.

Next, the inclusion of foreign nations in Melaka indirectly influenced the local community at that time. For example, the designs of the Malay clothes began to incorporate elements of the merchants, especially the Muslims and Arabs. These elements can be seen through an Arabic-style dress worn by Malacca's bride around the 18th century. In addition, various accessories or series jewelers that complement traditional Malay clothes such as dyed, chains, bunks, bracelets and pending also expand in terms of patterns and motifs used. If the floral motifs were often the choice of the Malay craftsmen before, now the presence of Chinese artisans began to exhibit the designs of birds and animals-like jewels and birds. There is also a personal jewel that comes from outside influences such as brooch designed from the pin introduced during the Portuguese period in Melaka. It is used to cut the part of the Malay women's blouse which known as kebaya.

Lastly, the third thing that grabs my attention is Baba & Nyonya. Peranakan Chinese society or better known as Straits Chinese and referred as Baba (men) and Nyonya (women) which a society considered as well-known community group in Melaka. They are descendants of the Chinese who came and settled in Melaka since the 15th century AD. Mixing with local communities and mixed marriages has led these groups to adapt Malay culture while maintaining the religion, identity and cultural heritage of the Chinese community. This community is famous for its uniqueness. They are not fluent in Malay, but the women love to wear kebaya with brooches matched with batik cloth like Malay women's clothing. In addition, they are also well-known for a collection of ceramics featuring fierce blend of colors such as green, yellow and red and are skilled to create beautiful and colourful beads. Besides Malacca, the Baba and Nyonya community can also be found on the island of Penang and Singapore.

During this educational tour in National Museum, I had taught a lot of new things and information that may out of the classroom. Thing that I feel special and remarkable is the props show different culture, different race, and different costumes were show up in museum during the tour. This were caught my attention where their outfit of the costume were nice and I felt attraction because this made me realised that every Malaysian can live with peace by getting along with each other although they are different race and religion. This is a thing that many countries could not make it but Malaysia could. Even though there will always a little quarrel among each other, but there is easy to control and solved as every one of them know how to be tolerate and considerate to others. This has showed the multi culture of Malaysia is one of the uniqueness which has to be emphasized as we get to learn and understanding different culture from others instead of just understanding oneself.

After visited educational tour with course mate and course lecturer, I feel proud to be Malaysian as Malaysia has many perception that worth learning to all of the citizens. For instance, people who live in Malaysia will tolerate with other even though their lifestyle are different from each other. Also, they can celebrate festival together like Chinese New Year, Deepavali and Hari Raya.

During festival like Hari Raya, they would have open house and invite all of their friends other than Malay, but also Chinese and Indian friends to have dinner together. This shows the harmony among each other which make our country more peaceful and safe to live instead of having conflict between each other.

After this educational tour, it has changes my thoughts which I should be a citizen who should more responsible and contribute to the country. I feel proud to live in a country that is multi culture. People are form different race in Malaysia can live together peacefully. They are tolerate to each other even though they might not accept their activities in lifestyle. Although there is a small conflict, they will also discuss with each other instead of argue so that they could solve their issue with good solution.

Everything comes good and bad side. There are some of the issue I have observed and experienced during the tour is the national Museum is too crowded. When my course mate and I were at the location, there are many foreign tourist visited to National Museum which followed with the tour guides. As the amount of the tourist is more than the tour guide, somehow the tour guide was hard to control the current situation. For instance, there is a Malay traditional house which known as Rumah tinggi, many of the tourist went inside to have a visited to the interior. During their visit, the amount of tourist is more than 30 people, which the house could not fit that much of people. In this issue, it could become a social issue as tourist do not protect and appreciate treasure of one country. They just tried to fulfill their curious, but not protecting the surrounding.

After visited National Museum with my course mate and lecturer, I feel happy and this tour gave me new knowledge and information to get know more about my lovely country. I can experienced different culture and lifestyle from other religion, so that I can get to know what their dos is and don’t for instance Indian friends cannot eat beef. Therefore, we will try to avoid eat beef when they are dining with us. Also, I also feel appreciate what army contribute to the country so that we can have peaceful life nowadays.

As a conclusion, Malaysia is a county that is multi-culture which live people with different culture and lifestyle. People would live peacefully thus tolerate others as they understanding the culture of others. Therefore, we should learn how to adopt with others religion and culture by understanding their race with different style of living.