Malaysia Culture & Heritage - Homestays

Malaysia's friendly traditional communities have opened up their homes to foreign guests so they can have a taste of the bucolic life to cherish for a lifetime.

Experiencing a homestay in a traditional village, or kampung, is perhaps one of the fastest and easiest ways to get to know Malaysia and its people. Here, time seems to slow down and life gets more leisurely. Those used to the hectic pace of the city will begin to unwind and adjust. Visitors will discover that things here move at a slightly different pace, and for those who relish the quiet calm of the rustic life, this is possibly as good as it gets.

Homestay guest will not just be immersed in the living conditions of the locals; they will also quickly establish a bond with their warm and welcoming foster family and get acquainted with the village elders. Children and accommodating neighbors show you how they go about everyday life in rural Malaysia.

But homestays work both ways, and as you begin to better understand your Malaysian hosts, they too begin to appreciate you and your culture. Indeed, many long-term friendships have arisen out of this usually short-term relationship.

The food you eat and the activities you engage in are authentically Malay. Home-cooking lessons and meal times will surely be a memorable part of your stay. The wide variety and sumptuousness of painstakingly prepared dishes can sometimes be enough to confuse most people!

Guests will learn how to prepare the food. This might include gathering, cooking and washing it as well. The lucky few will also have the opportunity to harvest fruits that are in season or try their skill at plucking coconuts out of palm trees 30-40ft. above the ground with a bamboo pole!

Spend time with the children after they return from school and indulge in traditonal games that are still popular, such as kite flying, top-spinning, and congkak. Or you can choose to explore your surroundings, spend some time at the local pond, trying your hand at riverside fishing or perhaps indulge in a spot of farming a la Malaysia.

In the evenings, witness cultural dances, musical performances and even a mock-wedding, all of which you will be encouraged to participate in. Experience the charm of Malay traditions that have been preserved throughout the ages, which remain very much alive.

Live with your hosts, eat with them, be a part of their family. And when you return home, take with you a memorable cultural experience, and the friendships of a family happy to welcome you whenever you return to Malaysia!

The Kampungs, or villages, that are involved in the homestay program are committed to ensuring that visitors experience village-style living first-hand and are used to welcoming a variety of foreign guests from around the world. These kampungs have been carefully selected and conform with strict guidelines set by the Ministry of Tourism so as to bring out the best of Malaysia.