Religion Vs Culture

To continue from previous post,

Angela Hijjas, a kind woman who knows how to lead a tour. A perfect tour on knowing what to show and what not to show. There it is, the Perak Malay Traditional House. The house was found in Perak (not sure which part) and to be told that it was build since 1904/02.

Angela asked us to observe and tell her what motifs can we identify from the house. I proudly to say, I answered "Chinese". Yep, it is Chinese. Ah, Chinese! Erm, so? Good question. Dragons, Pheonix, Nian and etc the motifs found on the facade of the house. Try to relate it to Chinese motifs onto a Malay traditional house?

Going back through time, it is to be told that it was carved/produce by a Chinese carpenter from China back then! Chinese are of course came from China, migrated to Malaya. For that particular Chinese carpenter, he was hired to build the house back in 1902/04 and the house was not inhabited by locals (Malay)! It was Sumatera-ns who migrated to Perak. See the point? A foreigner producing a local product for another foreigner! It was not even for the locals. There we can observe that there is cultural adaptations. Chinese motifs on a Malay house which sumatera-ns resided in!

In the house, we can see that carvings on the panels are somewhat very Chinese too! It seems like Chinese coins to me. So does a continuation of Chinese motifs revolving around the interior walls.


Like every Malay traditional house. This house too has its own "Bunga Halang" a combination of 3 cloths, Red, White and Black. All three of this acts as something like the Chinese practice, the yellow paper folded and wrapped with charms to ward off bad lucks called "Fu". "Bunga Halang" is exactly the same thing! Also, when the house was build, like every house, a coin from the year would be placed on top of the "Bunga Halang". Of course it is also like other houses which is not build by nails, it is mainly just assembling every parts of it. I believe the process of building a house can be done in a day's time?

Since Angela is a Caucasian being converted into Islam, I believe that she also comes to a point that there would have some disagreement. Angela argued on, in Islam, there shouldn't be anything in believing things than just God. Since so, why is there such beliefs in "Bunga Halang"? I, myself find that interested to debate about. It is true that Muslims shall not belief in things than just God. Not even tarots that tells fate accurately or some superstitious beliefs. But from this, we can see that there is such practice in the oldies. So does the owner is a Muslim. Angela continued to argued that what is there to lose if you believe in something good for own? "Bunga Halang" wards off evils from the house. Since then why is there harm to believe in such things?

I could conclude that there is cultural clashing occurring in today's context. Think! Culture and religion should not be combine nor mixed. Religion is religion, a belief and Culture is culture, a practice. Why should both be mixed whereby both are different topics! Should those be arabian cultures? Is it intruding Malaysia where Malaysia is no longer standing their traditional culture? Instead readapting what is outside?

Think again, When a Muslim gave birth to a child, why should the child be a Muslim too? Is it because it's stated in the Islam context? What about our Malay culture? Since religion is something what you belief in, should you force a person to belief in something or rather just let it natural?

As once was argued on Malaysian Parliament, I quote "Malaysia ini negara Islam". Should one say so or should it be "Malaysia ini Negara Melayu"? (I'm reusing the word, Tanah Melayu). Yes, Islam is the national's religion but do not forget that it is the fact that is a religion.

Hence, I shall not say anything anymore cause it might go deeper and more complicated. It is for you to do the thinking for now and of course, whatever is written is strongly just my opinion.