Chinese in Malaysia

Common Chinese Customs And Foods that were Proudly Made in Malaysia:

1. Lions dancing on poles 

-While lion dances are popular in China, they were never known for dancing on or jumping off poles as they do in Malaysia. In fact, this routine only started around 1983 when competitive Lion Dancing became a thing here. In order to make the performances even more exciting, a Lion Dance troupe known as Hing Tung Lok lion dance association decided to add poles to their performances that were just 33 inches high. Evidently, this exciting albeit slightly dangerous routine caught on and today, some Lion Dance troupes have even performed on 20-metre high poles!

2.The Chinese god that came from Seremban

-Commonly known as Xian Shiye, this Chinese god emerged after the brutal death of Sheng Ming Li. Sheng, a Hakka from Huizhou, was said to have migrated to Melaka in 1851 where he soon became the Chinese captain of his community because of his successes and how he flourished in his businesses. When he was sent to Sungai Ujong to build an  enterprise from mining, Sheng quickly built a reputation where many   found him to be a person of upright moral character who was exceptionally brave as well. It was here that Sheng met Yap Ah Loy.

-However, intense competition for mining rights often led to large disputes where groups would fight each other until the end. During one of the conflicts in 1860, Sheng was separated from his group and subsequently killed by people from opposing groups. His death, however, was seen as a noble act and it was stated that all future battles fought and won by Yap Ah Loy were because of the guidance from Sheng. Since then, the late Sheng was known as Xian Shiye and a temple was built in his honour. It's still there to this day at Jalan Tun H. S. Lee, KL.

3. The other Chinese god that basically existed from the coming together of Chinese and Malay beliefs

-Commonly known as 'Datuk Gong' or 'Na Tuk Kong' in Chinese, this Taoist deity actually only began existing here. It all started when the Chinese brought along their Confucianist beliefs of ancestor worship with them to Malaya in the 19th century in order to ask for protection in a foreign land. During this time, the Malays also practised paying their respects to guardian spirits or penunggu (whom they would refer to as 'Datuk'). In fact, these 'Datuks' were once living, breathing human beings respected by many and contributed a lot to the community.

-Long story short, the beliefs of the Chinese and Malays ended up merging and this is how Datuk Gong caeme into existence. And yes, Datuk Gong is said to be a Malay deity who resides in trees, caves, riverbanks and so forth. This is why we often see those red shrines outdoors and under trees.

4. The Chinese New Year must have: Yee Sang

-Whether Chinese Malaysian call it Lou Sang or Yee Sang, this "Prosperity Toss' that only makes an appearance during the Lunar New Year is usually served with shredded vegetables, nuts, fresh fish and sweet sauces and actually has no connection whatsoever to our ancestors in China. In fact, people from China, Hong Kong, and even Taiwan will probably have no idea what you're referring to if you mention "Yee Sang" to them.

-Although eating thinly sliced raw fish was a common practice in China known as Yu Sheng and was continued here when Chinese immigrants moved to Malaya, Yee Sang is actually purely a Malaysian invention. 

-According to a book titled A Toss of Yee Sang, this popular dish was said to have started in the 1940s when a man by the name of Loke Ching Fatt from Seremban made his own version of the Yu Sheng which ended up becoming our modern day Yee Sang!