ladang tea di sabah

Ladang teh sabah

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Ladang teh Sabah terletak di kampung Nalapak dalam daerah Ranau iaitu kira-kira 120 kilometer dari bandaraya Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Lokasi ladang teh ini berada di laluan lebuhraya di antara Telupid - Ranau iaitu selepas persimpangan ke Poring Hot Spring. Ladang teh ini berada di ketinggian 2,272 kaki daripada aras laut dengan keluasan ladang sebesar 6,200 ekar. Kawasan ladang teh ini dikelilingi dengan hutan rimba yang telah wujud sejak 130 juta tahun dahulu. Selain itu, ladang teh ini juga berlatarbelakangkan gunung Kinabalu dan merupakan ladang teh organik tunggal di Malaysia serta menjadi pilihan di dunia.

 Sejarah Pembukaan Ladang teh Sabah

Pada tahun 1976, Kerajaan Negeri Sabah telah mewartakan 6,200 ekar tanah, kg Nalapak kepada Koperasi Pembangunan Desa (KPD) . Kemudian, pada 26 april 1978, ladang teh ini telah diperbadankan kepada Syarikat Sabah Tea Sdn Bhd dengan subsidi KPD bagi mengurus dan operasi peladangan teh ini.Perasmian Ladang telah dirasmikan oleh bekas Perdana Menteri Malaysia Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad pada bulan 19 februari 1984.
Manakala pada tahun 1987, pengurusan Sabah Tea telah bersatu bersama dengan syarikat Tate & Lyle's dan Commonwealth Development Corporation yang bertujuan untuk mengurangkan beban kewangan Kerajaan. Penyatuan Syarikat Tate & Lyle's ini dapat menyumbangkan kepada kerajaan dalam industri peladangan teh sebagai langkah daya saing dengan peladangan teh yang lain.
Namun begitu, pada tahun 1997, Yee Lee Corporation Bhd  telah mengambil keseluruhan syer daripada Sabah Tea Sdn Bhd dan Desa Tea Sdn Bhd iaitu merupakan syarikat yang mempunyai besar merangkumi pengilangan, pengeksportan serta penjualan produk diperingkat tempatan dan antarabangsa.

 Teh Sabah

 Pengredan teh

• Broken Orange Pekoe (BOP):

- Gred teh yang rendah dengan kecirian likuor yang baik.

• Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings (BOPF):

- Gred teh yang lebih halus dengan kecirian likuor yang tinggi.

• Fannings (Fangs):

- Mengandungi serbuk halus dengan likour yang tinggi, kebiasaannya dalam bentuk uncang.

• Dust (D)

- Merupakan gred yang terendah dengan kelikourannya, agak kasar serta kuat jika dibandingkan dengan BOPF. Dibahagi kepada 'Dust 1' ,'Dust 2', dan seterusnya mengikut kehalusan saiz teh.

 Produk teh

1. SABAH TEA

• Merupakan sejenis teh yang segar, semula jadi serta harum hasil daripada tanah yang subur gunung Kinabalu dan bebas dari penggunaan pestisid dan pewarna tiruan.
• Teh ini mendapat pengiktirafan oleh SIRIM.
• Menjadi pilihan rakyat tempatan.

2. SASSI-BRIX ORGANIC TEA

• Teh yang unik dengan berperisa organik teh hitam yang segar, tulen dan semula jadi.
• Disahkan oleh SKAL International, Netherland.

3. BORNEO ORGANIC RAINFOREST TEA

Pulau sipadan

The name of Sipadan is simply legendary in diving circles, conjuring images of patrolling hammerhead sharks, millions of technicolored reef fish and, above all, dozens of sea turtles swimming peacefully everywhere.

This description is not far from reality: it might even actually be down played a little as Sipadan is considered one of the five top diving destinations in the world. This small rainforest-covered tropical island rising from a 700 meter abyss in the Celebes Sea is a destination the committed diver cannot miss.

Part of speech

Defination
a traditional term for the categories info which words are classified according to their sentences
b)nouns
c)pronouns)
d)verbs)
e)adjectives
f)prepositions
g)conjunctions
h)interjunctions
i)Articles
Example of categories words.
Verb=the bone of the major grammatical groups,and all sentences must contains one verb refer to an action
(do,break,walk,etc)or a state(be ,like,own)
Nouns=is a word used to refer to people,animal,objects,substances,states,events and feelings.Nouns can be a subject of averb,can be modified by an adjective and can take an article or determiner.
Pronouns=A pronoun is a word that subsitites a noun or noun phase.There are number of different kinds of pronouns in english.
Adjectives=An adjectives modified a nound.It Describe the quality,state or action.
Adverbs=most adverbs in english are formed by adding to an adjectives.An adverb is a word that modified the meaning of a verb.
Prepositions=A prepositions is a waord like and,but,when,or etc,which connects word pharaces or clauses.
Interjunctions=Is a word or short pharase used in speech to gain attention,to exlam,protest or commandINterjunctoin can be used to show emotion such as surprice or shock.

Basic English

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....MY SHARING....

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Grammar Tenses

PAST PERFECT

Form of the Past Perfect

We form the Past Perfect with had and the past participle (regular verbs: infinitive + -ed; irregular verbs: 3rd column of the table of the irregular verbs)

had + past participle

We use the same form of the auxiliary had every time regardless the subject.

past participle:
- regular verbs: infinitive + -ed
- irregular verbs: 3rd column of the table of the irregular verbs

Affirmative sentences

regular verbs	irregular verbs
I/you/he/she/it/we/they had played hockey.	I/you/he/she/it/we/they had gone home.

---

Negative sentences

regular verbs	irregular verbs
I/you/he/she/it/we/they had not played hockey.	I/you/he/she/it/we/they had not gone home.

---

Questions

regular verbs	irregular verbs
Had I/you/he/she/it/we/they played hockey?	Had I/you/he/she/it/we/they gone home?

Past Perfect - Use

1) Together with the Simple Past

When two past actions are combined - the first action, which was completed before the second one began, is put into Past Perfect.
Mary had read the book before she watched a film.
After Amy had gone home it started to rain.

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2) the past equivalent of the Present Perfect

He had played hockey.

Besonderheiten

Present Perfect	Past Perfect
The bike is new. I've bought it.	The bike was new. I had bought it.

Past Perfect - Simple Past	Simple Past - Simple Past
The match had started before he arrived.	The match started when he arrived.

PAST CONTINUOUS

Form of the Past Progressive/Continuous

We use a form of to be (was or were), the infinitive of the verb and the ending –ing.

to be (was, were) + infinitive + -ing

---

Affirmative sentences:

I/he/she/it was playing football.
We/you/they were playing football.

NOTE: Use was with I, he, she, it -
and were with all other pronouns.

In affirmative sentences we do not use short forms in the Past Progressive.

---

Negative sentences:

I/he/she/it was not playing football.
We/you/they were not playing football.

We use short forms in the Past Progressive in negative sentences:

I/he/she/it wasn't playing football.
We/you/they weren't playing football.

---

Questions:

In the Past Progressive we put the auxiliary (was or were) before the subject
(Auxiliary - Subject - Verb - Rest).

Was I/he/she/it playing football?
Were we/you/they playing football?

Past Progressive/Continuous - Use

The Past Progressive is used when we talk about something which was happening at a special time in the past. It is also called Past Continuous. Have a look at the following examples:

1) action was in progress at special time in the past

Peter was reading a book yesterday evening.
She was listening to the radio.

---

2) two actions were happening at the same time (the actions do not influence each other)

Anne was writing a letter while Steve was reading the New York Times.

---

3) together with the Simple Past

While we were sitting at the breakfast table, the telephone rang.
Note:
Past Progressive: were sitting at the table
Simple Past: the telephone rang.
The action in the Simple Past interrupted the action in the Past Progressive.

---

4) repeated actions irritating the speaker (with always, constantly, forever)

Andrew was always coming in late. (I don't like it.)
Simple Past:
Andrew always came late. (Here I don't give a comment.)

PRESENT PERFECT

Form of the Present Perfect

We form the Present Perfect with have and the past participle
(regular verbs: infinitive + -ed; irregular verbs: 3rd column of the table of the irregular verbs)

have/has + past participle

has: 3rd person singular (he, she, it)

have: all other forms

past participle:
- regular verbs: infinitive + -ed
- irregular verbs: 3rd column of the table of the irregular verbs

---

Affirmative sentences

regular verbs	irregular verbs
I/we/you/they have played football.	I/we/you/they have gone to the supermarket.
He/she/it has played football.	He/she/it has gone to the supermarket.

NOTE: We use has in the 3rd person singular (he, she, it).

---

Negative sentences

regular verbs	irregular verbs
I/we/you/they have not played football.	I/we/you/they have not gone to the supermarket.
He/she/it has not played football.	He/she/it has not gone to the supermarket.

NOTE: We use has in the 3rd person singular (he, she, it).

---

regular verbs	irregular verbs
Have I/we/you/they playedfootball?	Have I/we/you/they gone to the supermarket?
Has he/she/it played football?	Has he/she/it gone to the supermarket?

Questions      NOTE: We use has in the 3rd person singular (he, she, it).

Present Perfect - Use

The Present Perfect is not easy to understand for ESL learners. It is a combination of past and present. An actions in the past has something to do with the present.

1) Result of an action in the past is important in the present (It is not important when this action happened. When we use a specific time in the past - e.g. yesterday - then we use the Simple Past.)

I have cleaned my room. (It is clean now.)
Has Peggy ever been to Tokyo? (Has Peggy been there or not?)

---

2) Recently completed actions

He has just played handball. (It is over now.)

---

3) Actions beginning in the past and still continuing - mostly with since (point of time) or for (period of time)

We have lived in Canada since 1986. (We still live there.)

---

4) together with lately, recently, yet

I have been to London recently. (no specific point of time)
He has not written the e-mail yet. (He has not done it.)

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

Form of the Present Perfect Progressive

We form the Present Perfect with have, been and the verb with the ending -ing.

have/has + been + infinitive + -ing

has: 3rd person singular (he, she, it)
have: all other forms

---

Affirmative sentences

I/we/you/they have been playing volleyball.
He/she/it has been playing volleyball.

NOTE: We use has in the 3rd person singular (he, she, it).

---

Negative sentences

I/we/you/they have not been playing volleyball.
He/she/it has not been playing volleyball.

NOTE: We use has + not in the 3rd person singular (he, she, it).

---

Questions

Have I/we/you/they been playing volleyball?
Has he/she/ity been playing volleyball?

NOTE: We use has in the 3rd person singular (he, she, it).

Present Perfect Progressive - Use

The Present Perfect Progressive is not easy to understand for ESL students. It is a combination of past and present where actions in the past have something to do with the present. The focus is not on the result (this is the Present Perfect) but on the action itself.

1) Actions beginning in the past and still continuing (focus is on the action) - mostly with since (point of time) or for (period of time)

I have been waiting for you for three hours. (It was a long time.)

---

2) Recently completed actions (focus is on the action)

She has been watching too many videos. (It was too much time.)

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

Form of the Present Progressive/Continuous

We use a form of to be (am, are or is), the infinitive of the verb and the ending –ing.
to be (am, are, is) + infinitive + -ing

---

Affirmative sentences:

I am playing volleyball.
He/she/it is playing volleyball.
We/you/they are playing volleyball.
NOTE: Use am with I - is with he, she, it - and with all other pronouns are.
We often use short forms in affirmative sentences in the Present Progressive.

---

Negative sentences:

I am not playing volleyball.
He/she/it is not playing volleyball.
We/you/they are not playing volleyball.
NOTE: We often use short forms in negative sentences in the Present Progressive.

---

Questions:

In the Present Progressive we put the auxiliary (am, are or is) before the subject
(Auxiliary - Subject - Verb - Rest).
Am I playing volleyball?
Is he/she/it playing volleyball?
Are we/you/they playing volleyball?

 

 

 

Present Progressive/Continuous - Use

The Present Progressive is used when we talk about something which is happening now. It is also called Present Continuous. Have a look at the following examples:

1) actions happening at the moment of speaking (now, at the moment)

Peter is reading a book now.
She’s listening to the radio.

---

2) fixed plan in the near future

She is going to Basel on Saturday.

---

3) temporary actions

His father is working in Rome this month.
Note:
We do use verbs which express states and are normally not used with the Present Progressive. Watch the difference in meaning.
They love being together. (They are not together now.)
They are loving being together. (They are together now.)

---

4) actions happening around the moment of speaking (longer actions)

My friend is preparing for his exams.

---

5) trends

More and more people are using their computers to listen to music.

---

6) repeated actions which are irritating to the speaker (with always, constantly, forever)

Andrew is always coming in late. (I don't like it.)
Simple Present:
Andrew always comes late. (Here I don't give a comment.)

SIMPLE PAST

Form of the Simple Past

Form the Simple Past:
- with regular verbs: infinitive + -ed
- with irregular verbs: 2nd column of the table of the irregular verbs

---

Affirmative sentences:

Use the same form of the verb every time regardless the subject.

regular verbs	irregular verbs
I played football.	I went to the supermarket.

---

Negative sentences:

Use the auxiliary did (Simple Past of do) every time regardless the subject.

regular verbs	irregular verbs
I did not play football.	I did not go to the supermarket.

NOTE: Short forms in negative sentences in the Simple Past are used quite often.

regular verbs	irregular verbs
I didn't play football.	I didn't go to the supermarket.

---

Questions:

Use the auxiliary did (Simple Past of do) every time regardless the subject.

regular verbs	irregular verbs
Did you play football?	Did I go to the supermarket?

Simple Past - Use

The Simple Past is used to talk about actions or situations in the past. It is also called Past Simple.
Have a look at the following examples:

1) action finished in the past (single or repeated)

I visited Berlin last week.
Andrew watched TV yesterday.

---

2) series of completed actions in the past

First I got up, then I had breakfast.

---

3) together with the Past Progressive/Continuous - The Simple Past interrupted an action which was in progress in the past.

They were playing cards when the telephone rang.
1st action: Past Progressive were playing
2nd action: Simple Past rang

SIMPLE PRESENT

Form of the Simple Present

We use the infinitive of the verb. In the 3rd person Singular (he, she, it - or a name) we put an -s at the end of the infinitive.

infinitive - 3rd person Singular (he, she, it) infinitive + -s

---

Affirmative sentences:

I/we/you/they play football.
He/she/it plays football.

NOTE: he, she, it - Do not forget the -s.

---

Negative sentences:

We use the auxiliary do.
I/we/you/they do not play football.
He/she/it does not play football.

NOTE: We often use short forms in negative sentences in the Simple Present:
I/we/you/they don't play football.
He/she/it doesn't play football.

---

Questions:

Do I/we/you/they play football?
Does he/she/it play football?

Simple Present - Use

The Simple Present is frequently used in English. It is also called Present Simple. Have a look at the following examples:

1) repeated actions (every day, always, often, sometimes or never)

My friend often draws nice posters.
I never drink milk.

---

2) things in general

The sun rises in the East.

---

3) fixed arrangements, scheduled events (e.g. timetable)

The plane flies to London every Monday.

---

4) actions in the present - one follows after the other (first - then, after that)

First I get up, then I have breakfast.

---

5) instructions

Open your books at page 34.

---

6) after special verbs, which are normally not used with the Present Progressive (These verbs express states, possessions, feelings etc.)
be, believe, belong, hate, hear, like, love, mean, prefer, remain, realize, see, seem, smell, think, understand, want, wish

I understand English.
He doesn't like fish.

FUTURE TENSE

Form of the going to-future

We use a form of to be (am, are or is), going to and the infinitive of the verb.
to be (am, are, is) + going to + infinitive

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Affirmative sentences

Example:

I am going to play handball.
He/she/it is going to play handball.
We/you/they are going to play handball.
NOTE: Use am with I, is with he, she, it and with all other pronouns are.
We often use short forms in affirmative sentences in the going to-future:

---

Negative sentences

Example:

I am not going to play handball.
He/she/it is not going to play handball.
We/you/they are not going to play handball.
NOTE: We often use short forms in negative sentences in the going to-future.

---

Questions

In the going to-future we put the auxiliary (am, are or is) before the subject
(Auxiliary - Subject - going to - Verb - Rest).

Example:

Am I going to play handball?
Is he/she/it going to play handball?
Are we/you/they going to play handball?

going to-future - Use

The going to-future is one future tense. There are other future tenses, like the will-future, the Present Progressive, the Future Progressive/Continuous and the Simple Present.
We use the going to-future:

1) planned actions in the future

We are going to sing at the party.
They are going to fly to South Africa.

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2) You are certain that sth. is going to happen in the future.

Look at this car! It is going to crash into the yellow one.

Form of the will-future

We form the will-future with the auxiliary will and the infinitive of the verb.

We use the the same form of the verb every time regardless the subject.

In British English we sometimes use shall instead of will for the first persons (I/we).

will + infinitive

---

Affirmative sentences

Example:
He will play football.

NOTE: short/contracted form in the will-future:
He'll play football.

---

Negative sentences

Example:
He will not play football.

NOTE: short/contracted forms in the will-future:
He won't play football. or
He'll not play football.

---

Questions

Example:
Will he play football?

will-future - Use

The will-future is one future tense. There are other future tenses, like the going to-future, the Present Progressive, the Future Progressive/Continuous and the Simple Present.
We use the will-future:

1) Future actions happen without the speaker's intention (birthday, weather, etc.)

The sun will shine tomorrow.
Peter will be 15 next Tuesday.

---

2) Predictions, assumptions (I think, I hope, I'm sure, I'm afraid)

I think Sue will arrive in Paris at 6 pm.

---

3) Spontaneous actions (not planned)

Hang on! I'll have a word with you.

Sabah Culture Tours

Sabah is a melting pot of different cultures, due to the many ethnic groups that can be found here. This exquisite and captivating array of symbols of culture proves to be one of Sabah’s strongest selling points throughout the years. Our Sabah Culture Tours explores Sabah’s multi-faceted culture. Observe up close the lifestyle of the indigenous tribes, visit the carnival-like Kota Belud Sunday Market and the infamous Monsopiad House of Skulls, take a trip to the Tambunan Rafflesia Centre for a rare chance to catch the world’s biggest flower, and go on a train journey on board the classic North Borneo Steam Locomotive for an experience you’ll never forget.

Kota Kinabalu Glitter with Cultural Dance

Experience the wondrous sight of the city coming to life at night as the lights are being switched on. This tour also gives you the opportunity to watch a mesmerising cultural dance as you enjoy your dinner. 

Bajau Fishing Village & Native Tour

The Bajau community is one of Sabah’s indigenous tribes, well-known for their sea-faring skills, earning them the nickname ‘sea gypsies’. The Bajau Fishing Village is a quaint, charming place with clusters of houses on stilts, connected to one another by a latticework of plank walkways. 

Papaga Homestay (Papar) - 2 Days 1 Night

Live like the locals in this unique homestay programme. Based at the Papaga Village situated along the banks of the Papar River, the Papaga Homestay Programme offers visitors a unique chance to experience true village lifestyle and culture first-hand. 

Kota Belud Sunday Market

Also known as ‘Pasar Tamu’, this weekend bazaar has a carnival-like atmosphere. Colourful and lively, the Sunday market is filled with villagers and horsemen trading their wares in their traditional garments. 

Kota Belud Rungus Longhouse & Borneo Experience

Discover the different facets of Sabah’s culture. The tour starts with a visit to the colourful and lively Kota Belud Sunday Market, followed by a stopover at Gombizou and Sumangkap villages up north to see honey-bee farming. 

Kudat Rungus Longhouse Experience - 2 Days 1 Night

A drive north along a winding road to Kudat, approximately 160 kilometers to the north of Kota Kinabalu. A short stopover in Kota Belud on the way to see the process of traditional sword making. 

Gayang Trails with a Culture Twist

The tour starts in the morning with a drive to Gayang Village, where you can observe the lifestyle of its inhabitants, the Bajau tribe, as they go about their daily business. Light refreshments are served upon arrival, followed by a trip down to the river for a tour along the stream, with chance to participate in crab-catching activities where crab traps will be collected at the end of the cruise.

Monsopiad House of Skulls

Grab this opportunity to visit the infamous Monsopiad House of Skulls in Penampang. The tour starts with a drive past rice fields and village houses on stilts. You will be brought to the Monsopiad Cultural Village where the spirit of the legendary Sabahan warrior, Monsopiad, lives on. 

Tambunan Refflesia & Bamboo Village

The tour takes you to the Tambunan Rafflesia Centre and Bamboo Village, starting with a journey past idyllic countryside and the magificent Crocker Range. The visit includes a 2-3 hours of nature trek amidst lush sub-Montane vegetation and lowland rainforest and the chance to see Rafflesia buds or, if luck is on your side, a Rafflesia in full bloom.

Pesta gong introduction

Make your way to the quaint town of Matunggong on October 24th to join the Rungus community in celebrating the Gong Festival.

The Rungus—a subgroup of the Kadazandusun tribe—is one of the most culturally-preserved communities in Sabah. Many Rungus families still adhere to the old ways; inhabiting ancient longhouses and practicing their age-old spiritual beliefs. The endearing charm of the Rungus people would most likely be rooted in their concept of communal living and sharing under one roof in the traditional longhouses.

Don’t miss the opportunity to see the famous beadworks of the Rungus community in Matunggong. Here, you can find pretty and colourful beaded accessories such as rings, necklaces, and bracelets. Also, don’t forget to swing by Kampung Bavanggazo and Kampung Tinagol where you can witness the Rungus women weaving their beautiful traditional tapestry.

A visit to Kampung Sumangkap lets you into the ancient craft of gong-making. Whereas a tour in Kampung Gombizau—famous for its beeswax, honey, and royal jelly processing farm—will give you an educational insight and an opportunity to purchase pure honey fresh from the beeswax.

Discover another facet of Borneo in Kudat, and get ready to immerse yourself in the melodic sounds of gong beating this October!

Malaysia festival

New Year's Day

National Public Holiday, New Year's Eve is usually celebrated by the urban community throughout Malaysia with lively parties to usher in the New Year. Sporting events, competitions, exhibitions and cultural performances by Malaysian multi-ethnic groups are held in various states

Hari Raya

Hari Raya Puasa (or Hari Raya Aidil Fitri) falls on the first day of the Muslim month of Syawal and is a joyous occasions for all Muslims. It marks the successful observance of fasting throughout the month of Ramadhan - the tenth month of the Muslim calendar. The celebration is determined by sighting of the new moon. After morning prayers at the mosque followed by visits to the graves of family members to pay respects. Open house or invitation for relatives and friends to come to their house is practiced.Plenty of traditional Malay delicacies are served during this festive season.

All mosques, homes, government and commercial buildings are decorated and brightly lit to mark the significant day. The celebrations last a month and although the first three days are celebrated on a grander scale, many Muslims have 'open houses' throughout the month to accommodate friends.

Thaipusam

Celebrated throughout Malaysia by Hindus on the tenth month of the Hindu calendar. Thaipusam is a day for penance and atonement among the Hindu community. Thaipusam an extraordinary festival, is a time for Hindu devotees to fulfil a vow they have made to the Lord Muruga, also known as Lord Subramaniam. The displays of devotion are varied, but the most devout prepare themselves for weeks, purifying themselves by fasting and celibacy. In a state of religious ecstasy thousands of devotees carrying body piercing kavadis - a frame decorated with colored papers, tinsels, fresh flowers, and fruits as a form of penance, makes this a once in lifetime experience. They move through the town up the hill to the Batu Caves with the kadavis tearing at their flesh, but without appearing to feel any pain. Kuala Lumpur is probably the best place to enjoy this colourful and fascinating festival as this is where Lord Muruga's jeweled chariot is led through the streets of the city, culminating at the Batu Caves in Selangor.

Chinese New Year

Celebrated over a periods of 15 days, beginning from the first day of the Chinese Lunar Calendar, this is the most important annual festival for the Chinese community. Legend has it, Buddha invited all animals to his kingdom but only 12 attended. With that, Buddha dedicated a year to each animal. Each year is named after one of the 12 animals according to the Chinese Zodiac. Chinese New Year is celebrated with abundance of delicacies , family gatherings, & the lighting of fire crackers at midnight.  Ang Pows or red packets of money are given to the young and unmarried while the symbol of prosperity, the mandarin orange, is liberally consumed. It is the time when offerings are made to appease the spirits and gods. Houses are cleaned and decorated to prepare for the big day. New clothes are bought and worn. The colour red is vividly displayed in many homes for 'prosperity' and 'luck'. The traditional dragon and lion dances herald in the new year, amidst banging gongs and drums. Penang is the place to celebrate the Chinese New Year. 

Wesak Day

Celebrated around May by Buddhists which marks three momentous events in Buddha's life - his birthday, enlightenment, and achievement of Nirvana. As the most important figure in Buddhism his life is celebrated and revered. The celebration begins at dawn when devotees gathering at the temples to meditate on the Eight Precepts. The 'Bathing the Buddha' ceremony is often part of Wesak celebrations. Water is poured over the shoulders of the Buddha and serves as a reminder to purify the mind from evil. Donations, giving food to the needy, offerings of incense, joss sticks releasing of pigeons, ordination of monks and the offering of flowers normally takes place in temples. Chanting and praying are an important part of the Wesak celebration.   At night, processions of floats parade the streets, with devotees carrying candles.

Tadau Kaamatan (Harvest Festivals)

The indigenous tribes of the Kadazan, Dusun and Murut of Sabah celebrate their harvest festival in May.  Grateful thanks are offered to the spirit of the paddy, called Bambaazon / Bambarayon, by the Kadazan Dusun. A dance is performed by a high priestess, or Boohizan, to search for the Bambarayon.  Once found, a good harvest can be expected Agricultural shows, exhibitions, cultural programs, buffalo races, and other traditional games are held. There is much merrymaking and feasting with Tapai (rice wine) flowing freely throughout the festivities. A Unduk Ngadau ( Harvest Festival Queen ) pageant is held to seek the fairest maiden, honouring a sacrifice made by a maiden in legendary times.

Gawai Dayak

Gawai Dayak, a festive celebrated in Sarawak on 1st June every year is both a religious and social occasion. It is a thanksgiving day marking good harvest and a time to plan for the new farming season or activities ahead for the Dayaks, which generally refers to the Iban, Bidayuh and the Orang Ulu communities in Sarawak.  Their homes are cleaned and the graves of ancestors are tended to. Gawai is an occasion for parties, fun and games, processions and �open houses�. The Ibans working outside their village returned to the village for the celebration. Celebrations begin with a reunion dinner for the entire family.  Here, the youngest member of the family will offer the parents a plate of specially prepared food. There is singing, dancing and considerable drinking of tuak or rice wine in the local longhouses. Livestock is also sacrificed to ensure a good harvest the following season. 

Hungry Ghost Festival

Celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month by Buddhists and Taoist, it is believed according to Chinese tradition, that the gates of hell are opened to free the hungry ghosts who then wander to seek food on Earth. Some even think that the ghosts would seek revenge on those who had wronged them in their lives. The reason why the Chinese celebrate this festival is to remember their dead family members and pay tribute to them. They also feel that offering food to the deceased appeases them and wards off bad luck. Sacrificial offerings are made by burning fake money notes, which are also known as �hell money� and even paper television or radio sets. Some families also burn paper houses & cars to give to their dead relatives. The Chinese feel that these offerings reach the ghosts and help them live comfortably in their world. Religious ceremonies are also held at temples

Lantern & Mooncake Festival

Although its origins were founded in times of war in China where it celebrates the overthrow of the Mongols during the end of the Yuan Dynasty (120G- 1341 AD) in China. , the lantern and 'Mooncake Festival' or 'Tang Lung' has come more to symbolise a quiet celebration of peace and shared prosperity.  Legend has indicated that the secret about a plot against the Mongolians was hidden inside the mooncake and the mooncake was distributed widely. Lanterns were used at night as signals from higher grounds and hilltop. Today Malaysians of all walks of life celebrates this festival with colorful lantern hanging on the house & enjoying the highly delectable variety of mooncakes available. These cakes are rich, round pastries filled with a mixture of sweet red bean paste, lotus nut paste, or salted egg yolk. Mooncakes are available throughout the country for about a month while lantern processions and competition are held around in some neighbourhoods.

Deepavali

Commonly known to Hindus as the Festival of Lights, Deepavali is celebrated during the 7th month of the Hindu calendar. Deepavali celebrates the triumph of good over evil, when Lord Krishna defeated Narkansura.  Oil baths are taken in the morning, before donning new clothes and paying a visit to the temple.  Homes are lit with oil lamps, called vikku, signifying victory over darkness.  This is believed to invite Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth who will not enter an unlit house. As with all open houses in Malaysia, friends join in the celebrations by visiting the homes of Hindu friends and relatives to extend good wishes and to partake in the feasting and jollity.

Christmas

Witness the Portuguese Settlement transformed into a spectacle of brilliant lights with beautiful decorated Christmas Trees in every house and the sweet sounds of carolling in the air. Midnight services are held in churches, to celebrate to birth of Christ. Christians in Malaysia celebrates by decorating Christmas trees, attending church services and carolling. 'Open Houses' are also held on Christmas Day, during which guests are treated to food and drinks. Exchange of gifts are popular. Roast turkey is a common and traditional dish.