FOR Malaysians, the word “Muhibah” has always been a term that evokes friendship, tolerance, understanding, and camaraderie.
However, it wasn’t until witnessing a beautiful crossover of Thaipusam and Chinese New Year (CNY) celebrations that one netizen truly experienced its essence.
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A Reddit user called PastaFreak26 uploaded a heartwarming video of a lion dance performance in a crowded Thaipusam celebration in Kuala Lumpur recently.
“The moment the lions bowed before the Kavadi, and how the priests on the Kavadi reciprocated, I’ve never felt happier to be Malaysian.
“I spent my entire CNY missing out on the festivities due to a viral flu and only really experienced the second half of the festival, but this was a great way to end things.
“You know what’s the most jaw-dropping part? The lion dance troupe was performed by mostly Malays.
“I can’t wait for Kongsi Raya and Thaipusam to overlap in a few years’ time, hopefully,” the user wrote.
This crossover moment, blending two distinct festivals, gave many Malaysians the opportunity to feel the festive spirit they’d missed and reminded them of the profound connection we share as a nation.
One netizen called pm-FOR-cuddle_terapy shared their own experience: “I also saw videos of an all-Indian lion dance troupe performing, with the lions paying respect at a Ganesh shrine setup, just like they would at Chinese temples. I thought that was awesome and exciting.”
“This is the way. Never let the few distract nor divide us from our greatest strengths,” Former-Stock-540 commented, echoing the sentiments of many who witnessed the stunning display of cultural harmony.
