Malaysia is a truly blessed country with a good blend of ethnic races and cultural diversity. Due to the influx of Chinese and Indian migrants into Malaysia since the early 19th century, various cultural elements from these ethnic groups have been introduced into Malaysia. This provides a good mix of cultural diversity in addition to the Malays and the indigenous inhabitants who were already residing in the country. Among the cultural elements influenced include clothing, food, ethnic celebrations, as well as religious and cultural practices. This article will focus on the traditional clothing of women in Malaysia.

1. Baju Kurung (Malays)

Baju kurung is the traditional clothing worn by Malay women. This attire is a loose-fitting blouse that is usually worn over a long skirt. The blouse stretches in length to approximately knee-level. The outfit is complemented with a shawl (selendang) or a headscarf (tudung). The baju kurung replaced the “kemban”, which was a sarong wrapped around the body above the chest, as more Malay women became Muslims around the 20th century. The baju kurung is an excellent replacement for the “kemban”, as it adheres to Islamic guidelines that the body should be fully covered (with the exception of the hands and the face) and that the clothing should not be tight fitting. The baju kurung can be worn for any occasion and traditional events such as weddings and funerals (white is normally worn as a sign of respect).

2. Cheongsam (Chinese)

The cheongsam, also known as qipao in Chinese or “long dress” when translated directly from Cantonese, is the traditional clothing worn by Chinese women. The cheongsam is a stylish tight-fitting garment that comes in one piece. It has a high or stand-up collar, a slit on one or both sides of the skirt, and buttons or small clip closures near the shoulders. This outfit is normally made from soft exquisite materials such as silk or satin, hence displaying charm and elegance. The color of the outfit is usually red, which symbolizes prosperity in the Chinese culture; however, it can also come in other colors such as white. The cheongsam is worn on special occasions, such as during Chinese New Year celebrations and also weddings.

3. Sari/Saree (Indians)

The sari is the traditional clothing worn by Indian women in Malaysia. This attire is made up of a cloth which could range anywhere from 4 to 9 yards (usually 5 to 6 yards) which is wrapped around the waist, with the pallau end of the cloth (the printed or extensively embroided end) then being draped over the left shoulder. A similar shaded petticoat goes with the sari as a supporting garment, as well as a blouse called choli which could either match or contrast the shade chosen. The sari is regularly worn as everyday wear for Indian women, although sari made with exquisite material, texture, design and colors are preferred for special occasions.

4. Salwar Kameez (Punjabi Indians)

The salwar kameez is a traditional Punjabi suit that can be worn by men and women, although it is particularly popular among northern Indian women. The “salwar” refers to a loose-fitting, pajama-like trousers, while the “kameez” refers to a long shirt or tunic. In addition to the “salwar” and “kameez”, a shawl or scarf called “duppata” can fit into the attire and is worn around the neck or head.

5. Baju Kebaya (Baba Nyonya/Peranakan)

The Baba Nyonya culture, or also known as Peranakan, is prevalent in the state of Malacca in Malaysia. This culture came about when Chinese migrants married local Malays, which led to a fusion of the Chinese and Malay cultures. The baju kebaya is the traditional clothing worn by the Peranakan women, and it made from kain rubiah (silk voile) coupled with the intricate embroidery of colorful silk thread along the borders and edges of the dress. A set of three “kerosangs”, or brooches, fastens the kebaya edges together. The baju kebaya normally has a floral design which makes it appealing to the eye, but sometimes can have other designs too such as butterflies. Other accessories that may accompany the baju kebaya include the tali pinggang (waist belt), kasut manik (beaded slippers) and dompet manik (beaded purse).

In conclusion, it can be seen that Malaysia is indeed a very unique country with quite a number of traditional clothing interspersed among the different races and cultural backgrounds. This diversity and variety is what makes Malaysia one of the top multiracial and multicultural countries in the world. The beautiful and special traditional clothing described in the article could be used to promote Malaysia to the rest of the world.