WMU Festival Showcases Cultures

Kalamazoo - Scents, music, languages and people from around the world mingled together in a crowded ballroom Sunday at the 2009 International Festival, held in Western Michigan University`s Bernhard Center.

Now in its 20th year, the event featured tables hosted by different student organizations, many of them international. They included their country`s native foods, cultural literature, currency and other items.

Daing Nasir, a member of the Malaysian Student Association, said that by participating in events such as the International Festival, the association gets to share the traditions and culture of Malaysia with the public and other associations.

Nasir, 28, said Malaysian culture is influenced by the large population of Chinese and Indian immigrants who settled there, meaning the food and culture reflects all three nations.

Nasir was dressed in a traditional Malay outfit, while one woman was dressed in a traditional Indian dress and another woman in a Chinese garment.

“We are diverse and one,`` Nasir said.

The Malaysian food included teh tarik, a hot pulled tea, and gula meldka, a coconut dessert with a creamy center. Also offered were spicy prawn fritters, a favorite among attendees.

“My big draw here is the food,`` said Lucian Macdonald, 20, a film, video and media communication student at WMU.

Source: MLive.com (March 24^th, 2009)
Photo: MelayuOnline.com

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