Unit 10: Unity in Diversity
In this unit, pupils celebrate Malaysia's multiracial society. They recite a poem about Malaysia, learn about traditional costumes and festivals (Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Gawai, Kaamatan, Vaisakhi), write about a festival, study prepositions (beside, next to, near), and read an excerpt from Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens.
Pupils recite a poem about Malaysia:
Malaysia, my beautiful country, full of people and natural beauty. To love her is our duty.
Cultures and traditions, we come as a nation, to celebrate happily as one big, loving family.
There are cheongsam and samfoo, kebaya and baju Melayu, veshti and jippa, and colourful saree, too.
Don't forget lemang and rendang, ketupat and murukku, oranges and mooncakes, hinava and umai, too.
Beautiful and peaceful, harmonious and colourful. We are proud to be Malaysians.
Malaysia is a multiracial country. The people are the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Ibans, Kadazans, and Punjabis. Each has its own unique traditional costumes, food, and celebrations:
| Malays | Costumes: baju kurung, baju Melayu. Festivals: Hari Raya Aidilfitri (after a month of fasting). Food: lemang, ketupat, rendang. | |
| Chinese | Costumes: cheongsam, samfoo. Festivals: Chinese New Year (15 days). Food: Mandarin oranges (symbolise wealth), mooncakes. | |
| Indians | Costumes: saree, jippa. Festivals: Deepavali (Festival of Lights). Food: thosai, idli, curry, murukku. | |
| Ibans (Sarawak) | Costumes: sirat (men), ngepan Iban (women). Festivals: Gawai Dayak (1 June, end of harvest). Beauty contest — Kumang Gawai. | |
| Punjabis | Costumes: salwar kameez with dupatta (women), kurta (men). Festivals: Vaisokhi (April). Dances: bhangra (men), gidda (women). Food: chapatti, kheer, laddu. | |
| Sabah & Sarawak | Food: umai, hinava (sliced raw fish marinated in lemon juice). Festivals: Kaamatan Festival. | |
Jelini (Kinah's cousin) invites her friends to her Gawai open house. Details: Date 1 June, Time 2:30 p.m., Place 38, Jalan Budaya, 93300 Kuching. To accept or decline:
Accept: 'Thank you for inviting me, Jelini. Yes, I will be there.' / 'That's lovely. Thank you. See you on that day.'
Decline: 'I'm sorry. I'll be visiting my aunt on that day.' / 'I'm sorry. I won't be able to attend. My parents will be away.'
Always thank the person for inviting you.
Pupils help Nurul write a short paragraph about a festival in Malaysia. Use the questions as a guide:
Who celebrates this festival?
What is the name of this festival?
What do they do during the festival?
What do the people wear during this festival?
What food do they serve?
What other things did you find out about the festival?
Example: The Malays celebrate this festival. It is called Hari Raya Aidilfitri. They serve lemang, ketupat, and rendang.
Mr. Ramesh organises a cultural performance at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sri Teratai. Notice details:
Date: 4 September. Time: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Venue: School Hall.
Pupils may wear their traditional costumes to the show.
There will be a traditional costume parade, musical recital, singing, and dancing.
Sign off: Mr. Ramesh (teacher-in-charge).
We use prepositions to show the location of an object or person:
| beside | by the side of you — 'My mother and I stand next to each other outside the house.' | |
| next to | the same as 'beside' — 'Kim Seng is standing next to Mr. Ramesh.' | |
| near | a short distance away — 'Kinah and Jagjit play near the river.' | |
| beside vs near | 'Beside' is right by the side; 'near' is a short distance away. | |
Adapted from 'Sophie Dickens: Oliver Twist', retold by Hilary Burningham. Oliver and Rose discovered who their parents are — Oliver also found out that Rose is his aunt. Pupils discuss why the following characters were happy:
Rose
Oliver
Mrs. Maylie
Harry Maylie
Malaysia is a multiracial country with Malays, Chinese, Indians, Ibans, Kadazans, and Punjabis. Each has unique traditional costumes, food, and festivals — Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Gawai, Kaamatan, and Vaisokhi.
When invited to an event, always thank the person. To accept: 'Thank you for inviting me. Yes, I will be there.' To decline: 'I'm sorry. I won't be able to attend.'
Prepositions of position: 'beside' and 'next to' mean by the side of someone/something; 'near' means a short distance away. Example: 'Kim Seng is standing next to Mr. Ramesh.'
📝 Kosa Kata
Malaysia is one of the most multiracial countries in the world! In one open house, you might find lemang (Malay), mooncakes (Chinese), murukku (Indian), hinava (Kadazan), and lemang again — all on the same table. The Gawai beauty contest winner is crowned 'Kumang Gawai', and during Vaisokhi the men dance the bhangra while the women dance the gidda!
Uji Minda!
18 soalan • Boleh buat!